RESEARCH ARTICLE

State of the alternative protein research and innovation ecosystem in France, 2020-2025

Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) · 12 August 2026 · DOI 10.5281/zenodo.20143921

GFI Europe assessed France’s alternative-protein research and innovation landscape using screened records from Dimensions.ai and its Research Grants Tracker. Publication and funding analysis covered 2020–2025, while patents covered 2015–2025. France recorded 1,010 patents, third in Europe, but only 276 peer-reviewed papers, ranking seventh. Papers rose from 27 to 77 annually and mostly addressed plant proteins; cultivated-meat work was limited and largely consumer-focused. Public support totaled at least €29 million, was mainly plant-based, peaked in 2023, and had the lowest per-person level among Europe’s ten highest-funded countries.