TÜBİTAK plays a key role in Excel4Pro through its Marmara Research Center (TÜBİTAK MAM) and International Cooperation Department.

TÜBİTAK MAM leads the project coordination, leveraging its state-of-the-art Food Innovation Center (FIC) and Food Innovation Platform (TÜGİP) to drive cutting-edge research in plant protein extraction and food processing. Their strong network with private sector stakeholders helps foster start-ups and spin-offs in the food and health industries.

International Cooperation Department contributes by shaping R&I strategies and policies, ensuring Excel4Pro aligns with global innovation and collaboration frameworks.

NTUA drives innovation in plant-based food products by supporting the design of innovative formulations and playing a key role in developing and updating the project’s IP and Innovation Management Strategy.

NTUA leads WP2, focusing on analyzing #protein #crops in Türkiye, Greece, and Ukraine to assess their potential for future valorization and optimize ingredient processing.

They also emphasize on identifying knowledge gaps and #research needs in protein-rich crop processing by supporting Life-Cycle Assessments (LCA) and evaluating the environmental, economic, and social #sustainability of #plant proteins, as well as proposing solutions for process optimization.

LPNU co-leads the management structure, technical coordination, and data management efforts, ensuring effective project progress and contribute to the development of Excel4Pro national and regional strategies for the plant-based protein ecosystem.

LPNU plays a key role to the development and evaluation of plant-based protein crops. In collaboration with TÜBİTAK, they will conduct  detailed chemical composition analysis of the selected crops and  help create plant-based food products by testing formulations and evaluating their sustainability through LSCA.

GTU, plays a central role in organizing and coordinating the exchange of knowledge and upskilling activities for researchers within the project – including staff exchanges facilitation between academic partners and companies, supporting ESRs through online lectures and summer schools, and promoting the collaborative culture of the project.

GTU, in collaboration with TUBITAK, will evaluate the effect of fermentation on the digestibility and sensory quality of protein crops and contribute to the Life Cycle Assessment and Sustainability assessment.

TAGEM, as the General Directorate of Agricultural Research and Policies of Turkish Ministry of Agriculture,  plays a key role to Excel4Pro’s mission by contributing to the development of R&I policies at both national and EU levels. Specifically, they will deliver economic, social and environmental benefits to Türkiye by conducting high quality agricultural research that addresses the country’s needs and capabilities.

TAGEM will actively support the project by offering technical expertise, promoting additional research, and enhancing innovation potential to encourage international collaboration.

RoP, as a regional authority, will contribute to the development of R&I strategies and policies at the national and EU levels, while engaging regional stakeholders to ensure their active participation in Excel4Pro’s initiatives.

RoP also helps ensure that regional policies align with Excel4Pro’s broader goals. They will assess and map regional conditions that impact policy and funding, identifying local, national, and EU-level funding opportunities available at the regional level.

Besler will contribute to evaluating crop varieties, emphasizing on the sensory qualities and digestibility of the selected protein crops. They will also help assess the commercial potential of these plant proteins for both domestic and export markets.

They also assist in chemical composition analysis and testing processing methods to create sustainable protein-based ingredients.

The Good Wild will contribute as a technology provider SME specializing in fermented and sprouted plant-based ingredients. Specifically, they play a key role in optimizing fermentation processes to improve the quality and functionality of the plant-based ingredients developed in the project, using novel processing and fermentation technologies at the pilot scale. This will be crucial in improving the nutritional, sensory, and digestibility aspects of the final food products.

YTÜ Yıldız Teknopark plays a leading role in establishing and coordinating the mentoring program, ensuring the creation of a mentor pool and providing guidance to Ukrainian entrepreneurs. They will also lead the acceleration of Foodtech innovations by organizing tailored training, mentorship, and key events to empower entrepreneurs in the sector.

YTÜ Yıldız Teknopark will co-lead the capacity building activities, supporting the organization and implementation of webinars, workshops, and training campaigns to enhance skills and knowledge within the plant protein ecosystem.

JOTIS will support the development and application of processing techniques to create sustainable protein-based ingredients, which will be crucial for the production of plant-based alternatives to animal products. Specifically, they will use these ingredients to develop pilot-scale formulations for various food products.

JOTIS also contributes to the Life-Cycle Assessments  and socioeconomic sustainability assessments, helping to identify environmental, social, and economic impacts of protein-rich crop processing.

PRINSUS will provide expertise and help to develop sustainable protein-based ingredients, focusing on the processing and commercialization of the selected crops for both local and international markets. Additionally, PRINSUS will use novel processing technologies to support the development of #innovative #food products at #pilot scale, ensuring their quality and sustainability.

They will also contribute to identification and optimization of the environmental, economic and social impacts of protein-rich crop processing through Life Cycle Assessments and socioeconomic assessments.

WR will lead the design and implementation of the Excel4Pro Dissemination and Communication strategy, coordinating and overseeing all related activities. Furthermore, they will increase the project’s visibility by sharing its research findings with European policymakers and expanding their network through strong partnerships with relevant initiatives and Excellence Hubs.

WR will coordinate the development of the project’s Innovation and IPR Management Strategy, and oversee the creation and update of the Exploitation and Sustainability Plan.

FRUKTONA will support the development of protein-based food ingredients by offering expertise and knowledge in the selection, evaluation and processing of plant-based crops for nutritious alternatives. FRUKTONA will play a key role in developing pilot-scale formulations using plant-based ingredients for various food products, supporting the product innovation process.

They will also contribute to the Life-Cycle Assessment and socioeconomic sustainability evaluations of plant protein processing, helping to identify and optimize environmental, economic, and social impacts.

PRANA’s role in the Excel4Pro project is to provide support in the evaluation and development of sustainable plant-based protein ingredients, emphasizing on enhancing processing methods. Additionally, they will use plant-based ingredients to develop pilot-scale formulations for various food products.

The Life-Cycle Assessment and socioeconomic sustainability assessments of plant protein processing will be supported by PRANA, focusing on identifying and improving environmental, economic, and social impacts.

Foodback plays a pivotal role in leading the Capacity Building of Plant Protein Ecosystem by organizing and implementing a variety of training and educational activities that aim to enhance competencies and skills across various stakeholders in the ecosystem, including entrepreneurs, professionals, and public communities.

Specifically, Foodback leads the development and coordination of a series of webinars and thematic workshops focused on key issues in plant protein research, and they will ensure that these webinars are accessible to a broad audience.

RFF is responsible for establishing the Joint Steering Committee and guiding the development and execution of #collaborative R&I strategies to promote plant-based protein innovations. Additionally, they are co-leading the development of policy and funding recommendations to support Excel4Pro’s objectives and helps increase awareness among key decision-makers.

RFF leads the development of sustainable business models for plant-based food products in the Turkish, Greek, and Ukrainian markets, and also manages the Open Calls, which provide financial assistance to SMEs and start-ups in the #plant protein-based food #innovation ecosystems.

TSUS contributes to the development of R&I strategies and policies at national and EU level. They play a crucial role in aligning national research priorities with Excel4Pro’s objectives, providing expert guidance on integrating plant protein innovation, and facilitating access to national #funding schemes.