Research Funding Landscape Fellow

**Only candidates based in the United States are eligible to apply**

Help shape the future of food by mapping the research funding landscape

The Good Food Institute (GFI) is a nonprofit think tank working to make the global food system better for the planet, people, and animals. Alongside scientists, businesses, and policymakers, GFI’s teams focus on making plant-based, fermentation-derived, and cultivated meat delicious, affordable, and accessible. Powered by philanthropy, GFI is an international network of organizations advancing alternative proteins as an essential solution needed to meet the world’s climate, global health, food security, and biodiversity goals.

How you will make a difference 

As a fellow, you will have the opportunity to help develop the processes and systems used to collect, categorize, visualize, and utilize research funding data. You will contribute to the development of a dashboard that will help people within and outside of GFI understand the research funding landscape for alternative proteins. Utilizing information like that in the research grant tracker, you will also assist with the research funding partnerships program at GFI. Your work will help lay the groundwork for future efforts to mobilize funding into high impact alternative protein research. The Research Funding Landscape Fellow will be responsible for:

• Contributing to research grant tracking efforts by:
• Providing input and coordinating between scientific, research funding, and information technical staff on the identification, analysis, visualization, and structure of research funding databases and dashboards.
• Systematizing the identification of research areas, expanding upon previous efforts to categorize alternative protein research funding areas while gathering global input.
• Contributing to U.S. research funding partnership programs by: 
• Supporting the administration of existing partnerships and programs.
• Supporting the development of research funding partnerships through administrative and desk-based research, for example, by gathering information to support due diligence checks.
• Creating materials to aid in discussions with other research funders about alternative proteins. 
• Identifying key programs and program officers at U.S.-relevant research funders which currently fund, or are likely to fund, alternative protein research.
• Identifying bilateral and multilateral funding opportunities which currently fund, or which have the potential to fund, alternative protein research.
• Examining resources available to researchers when applying for funding and how these resources compare to researcher needs.
• Performing other tasks as assigned. 

Who we’re looking for 

An ideal candidate for the Research Funding Landscape Fellow position will have experience that reflects the following:

• A Bachelor's degree in a science, engineering, or science policy field.
• Preference will be given to those currently pursuing or who have obtained an advanced degree (e.g., M.S., M.P.P., Ph.D.) in a relevant science or engineering field (e.g., biology, chemistry, food science, environmental science, chemical engineering) or science policy field (e.g., research funding).
• A broad understanding of the science relevant to plant-based, cultivated, and fermentation-derived protein research and manufacturing.
• A broad understanding of the academic research process (e.g., how and by whom academic research is conducted, the academic publishing process) and the U.S. scientific research funding process (e.g., the role of research grants, external review).
• Ability to work independently in a remote setting while collaborating effectively remotely.
• Experience utilizing spreadsheet software (e.g., Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets, AirTable).
• Experience with scripting language(s) (e.g., R, Python) is preferred but not required. 
• A commitment to fostering a work environment that is respectful, supportive, fair, and welcoming to all.
• Strong support for GFI’s philosophy and mission; demonstrated interest in plant-based & other alt proteins, public health, environmentalism, climate change, animal protection, or hunger relief.
• A commitment to GFI’s values: believe change is possible, do the most good we can, share knowledge freely, act on evidence, and invite everyone to the table.

GFI wants the best people and is committed to a fair hiring process. We use a third-party anonymizing tool to redact personal information from submitted applications — including name, location, contact details, and several other factors — to increase fairness in our process. We also prioritize an inclusive work environment absent of discrimination and harassment during the application process and after you join the team. People of every race, color, orientation, age, gender, origin, and ability are encouraged to apply. 

If you are passionate about GFI’s mission, think you have what it takes to be successful in this position, and meet many of the job requirements — even if you don’t check all the boxes — please apply. We’d appreciate the opportunity to consider your application. 

The fine print

• Position Type: Temporary, part-time employee 
• Position Term: 20 hours a week for 24 weeks
• Reports to: Nicholas Goldsmith, Ph.D., Research Funding Partnerships Manager
• Location: Remote, United States
• Pay rate: $30/hour (up to 20 hours per week) to be paid weekly  

Important dates

Application deadline: March 26, 2026

Anticipated start date: May 4, 2026 

Application instructions

GFI uses an anonymized hiring system that redacts key identifying personal information from all applications. We are testing this tool as part of an effort to reduce bias in our hiring process. Following these instructions will help to ensure your application is not delayed by a failed redaction. 

• Where possible, limit the creative formatting of your documents. If the name on your resume is an inserted image file or is styled with large spaces between each letter, for example, the redaction is likely to fail. Colors and designs are OK, but wherever possible, the text itself should just be regular text. 
• Please use consistent names. It helps to ensure that the name you use in your resume and cover letter is the same as the name you type into the application below. For example, if your name is Jennifer, please sign your cover letter as “Jennifer” rather than “Jenny.” 
• Submit PDF or .docx files only. Other file formats, like .txt, are likely to fail redaction. 
• Please do not include personal identifying information in your responses to the application questions. Referencing past education, work experience, and mission-alignment is OK. 
• If you use smart technology, use it wisely. We want to get to know you — not a robot. Please ensure your application materials reflect your own voice and experience. 
• Please do not contact the role’s supervisor or any potential member of the hiring team. If you have questions, please email [email protected]. 

Thank you for helping us to ensure that the redaction process works smoothly and to review your application as quickly as possible!