我们的
Lesaffre
China Research Grant
2025 Application Platform
AT A GLANCE
Lesaffre, a global leader in fermentation and microorganisms with more than 170 years of expertise, is proud to launch the first edition of its “Lesaffre China Research Grant” program.
This Grant program aims at promoting innovation in microbial genetic engineering and synthetic biology applied to microorganisms. The first 2025 edition will focus on seeking groundbreaking approaches that leverage these technologies to address challenges related to soil fertility improvement and carbon sequestration, while remaining open to other innovative proposals related to Lesaffre’s businesses.
We’re looking for:
- Innovative microbial genetic engineering or domestication approaches
- Preferably solutions for Chinese agricultural contexts
- Projects with potential for proof of concept (TRL 3-4)
- Single laboratory or collaborative/transdisciplinary approaches
- 2-year duration projects (starting Q1 2026)
What we offer for the winners:
- 1-2 projects will be selected
- Substantial funding of your research (Up to €100,000 funding per project)
- Access to Lesaffre’s global expertise
- Recognition in scientific excellence network
- Annual scientific meeting with all grant winners
If you’re selected:
- Contract to be established within 90 days. Intellectual Property will belong to you and Lesaffre will have first view right on the results
- Commitment to provide final reporting and attend scientific meetings
- Mention of Lesaffre China Research Grant funding in all communications or publications of the results
Application Process (2 phases):
- Phase 1: Letter of Intent (2 pages maximum) by September 30th, 2025
- Phase 2: If pre-selected, detailed Dossier (5 pages maximum) by November 30th, 2025
Eligibility:
- Chinese public research institutions (universities, scientific research institutes)
- Research teams must be based in China and have English proficiency
READY TO APPLY?
Click here to start your application and contribute to Lesaffre’s mission: “Working together to betternourish and protect the planet.
Lesaffre is launching its first edition of
the “ Lesaffre China Research Grant ” program
Lesaffre and Lesaffre China Research Grant
General information
Lesaffre is a global leader in fermentation and microorganisms having placed research, development and innovation at the heart of its success.
With over 170 years of expertise in mastering fermentation, from miniaturized tests and bioprocess design to large-scale industrial applications, the company recognizes the immense value of microorganism strains and their potential to develop microbial solutions addressing pressing global challenges.
Lesaffre’s openness to international collaboration and open innovation has led the company to forge more than 90 partnerships with private and public sectors. This extensive network of high-level experts allows Lesaffre to develop proven and sustainable solutions.
Over the last decade, Chinese academic researchers have emerged as global leaders in the field of microbiology, microbial genetic engineering and fermentation, thanks to the exceptional scientific excellence of Chinese research.
Lesaffre is willing to collaborate with the country’s best academic talents, contributing to the advancement of science for the benefit of sustainable innovation.
After consultation with the Ministry of science and technology, the Chinese Academy of Science, the Chinese Agricultural Academy of Science, the Chinese Institute of Food Science and Technology and the Chinese Society of Plant Nutrition and Fertilizer Science, Lesaffre is launching the Lesaffre China Research Grant program. This initiative will fund significant research projects, promoting innovation in synthetic biology applied to microorganisms and fermented solutions, and aligned with Lesaffre’ s major businesses and mission: “Working together to better nourish and protect the planet”.
Scope of the Grant
The objective of Lesaffre China Research Grant program is to select and fund projects that will leverage the full potential of microbial genetic engineering and regional biodiversity to address food, feed and environmental challenges. Such selection will involve a jury comprising Lesaffre internal scientific experts as well as renowned experts selected from the International scientific community.
The first edition of the Lesaffre China Research Grant will focus on promoting innovation in synthetic biology applied to microorganisms and fermented solutions in the area of soil fertility improvement and ideally carbon sequestration through microbial solutions.
Although the fit with the topic of the project will be considered as an evaluation criteria, we are however open to consider any other highly innovative proposals which might lead to significant advances in synthetic microbiology in other areas related to Lesaffre businesses.
Preference will be given to innovative approaches leveraging microbial genetic engineering or domestication techniques, especially those involving microorganisms originating from China’s rich biodiversity.
To achieve these objectives, both single laboratory and/or transdisciplinary and collaborative approaches are welcomed.
The project’s capacity to deliver proof of concept and/or more advanced protectable results (patents, know-how, etc.) by the end of the project (TRL 3-4) will be considered in the selection process.
Applicants are encouraged to highlight sustainability interests in their project proposal, as these will be given special consideration in the evaluation process.
Project monitoring
Each selected project will be assigned a key contact at Lesaffre to exchange on the progress of the project with the Coordinator.
Project coordinators of the selected projects commit to provide at least a comprehensive assessment report at the end of the project.
Cost and duration of projects
Lesaffre will fund 1 to 2 projects with a maximum amount of €100,000 per project. The maximum duration of projects is 2 years, and they should ideally begin in the first quarter of 2026, no later than April 1st, 2026.
The Lesaffre China Research Grant is fully funded by Lesaffre. Eligible costs include marginal costs (non-permanent personnel expenses related to the project, operating costs, travel expenses, small equipment, and services). Permanent staff costs and overhead expenses are not covered.
All expenditure must be justified and directly related to the achievement of the project objectives.
The funding will be provided according to a payment schedule defined in the project agreement which should be as follows:
Funding payment in 3 payment terms:
- 50% at contract signature
- 30% at the end of the first year after participating in the annual meeting at Lesaffre.
- 20% after receiving of final report
Payment by Lesaffre will be done directly to the Coordinator or its Institution, who will redistribute part of the funding to other co-participants if relevant.
Project coordinators will be responsible for the proper management and allocation of funds in accordance with the approved project budget.
Schedule and selection in two phases
Call for projects opened
Call for projects opened
Review by internal jury
Deadline LOI
Deadline to submit LOI
Notification of pre‑selection
Notification of pre-selection or rejection by Lesaffre
Review by international jury
Deadline Dossier
Deadline to submit Dossier
Contract established
(max.90 days)
Notification of final selection or rejection by Lesaffre
Project start
Project start
The submission process will be organized in two phases:
Phase 1: Submission of a Letter of Intent in 2 pages in English ( click here to download )
Deadline to submit: September 30th 2025 end of business day
Phase 2: Submission of a detailed in 5 pages in English ( click here to download )
Deadline to submit: November 30th 2025 end of business day
All submitted documents will have to be written in English
Phase 1: Submission of a Letter of Intent
This Letter of Intent (LOI) will allow a pre-selection of up to 10 projects by an internal jury made of Lesaffre scientific experts.
The LOI template consists of two parts (Appendix 1):
- Part A: Project Identification Sheet
- Part B: Scientific Description of the Project (2 pages maximum, in English)
A detailed CV with achievement track record (publications, membership to steering committees or scientific networks or associations, collaborations with public or private institutions/companies, prizes award, patents … etc) of the Coordinator must also be provided.
The LOI will have to be submitted with all requested documents by September 30th 2025.
All documents must be sent by mail to china.grant@lesaffre.com. Once your submission email has been treated, you will receive an acknowledgement of receipt email.
The pre-selection in phase 1 will mainly be based on:
- Submission of the proposal on time and in due format
- Project proposal fit with the objectives of the Grant and the relevance to Chinese specific context
- The originality of the approach and the potential for innovation of the project proposal
- Applicant and team scientific excellence
At the end of this phase 1, the internal jury will assess the projects eligible to continue the selection process, and the pre-selected project Applicants will be notified via email by October 15th 2025.
The Applicants that will not be pre-selected at the end of Phase 1 will be notified via email with a refusal notice by October 15th 2025.
The pre-selected Applicants will receive comments in order to prepare the Dossier completion of Phase 2 and will be informed of the number of Applicants qualified for Phase 2.
Phase 2: Submission of a Dossier
The Dossier will allow a final selection of 1 or 2 projects by an international jury made of external scientific experts and internal Lesaffre scientific experts.
The detailed Dossier consists of two parts (Appendix 2):
- Part A: Project Identification Sheet
- Part B: Scientific Description of the Project (5 pages maximum, in English), including additional details on background knowledge and funding
Documents requested to prepare registration in Lesaffre supplier management system and ensure payment of fundings must also be provided (see detains in Appendix 2, 2A and 2B).
The detailed Dossier will have to be submitted with all requested documents by November 30th 2025.
All documents must be sent by mail to china.grant@lesaffre.com. Once your submission email has been treated, you will receive an acknowledgement of receipt email.
At the end of this phase 2, the international jury will select 1 to 2 projects, and the winning project Applicants will be notified via email by December 10th 2025.
The Applicants that will not be selected at the end of Phase 2 will be notified via email with a refusal notice by December 10th 2025.
After selection, the winning Applicants will be informed of the next phases for the set up of the Agreement that will govern the project.
Commitments of Applicants
The Applicants commit to the following:
- The project must be innovative, new and free of any other private funding.
- Information on the submitted project will stay confidential as long as it will beunder submission and should not be shared outside of the Grant for private interest purpose.
- The evaluation of the submitted project will be done under a mutual non-disclosure agreement between Lesaffre and the Applicant, that will be set up at the beginning of phase 2 of the submission process.
- Lesaffre reserves the right to communicate first about the selection of the project for the Grant.
- Selected projects will require the signature of a contract with Lesaffre International. Intellectual property (IP) rights and licensing terms will be discussed and established in this agreement. The agreement shall be signed maximum 90 days after the Applicant is informed by Lesaffre of the selection of the project. Background know-how and IP will have to be described.
- The Applicants agree to have the Letter of Intent and Dossier of their project proposal reviewed by a jury.
- Results and Intellectual Property ownership of the results will belong to Applicant or its institution. Lesaffre will have a first view right on the results.
- The Applicant will show transparency and recognition and will mention Lesaffre China Research Grant funding of the projects in all communication or publication of the results.
- The Applicant commits to conscientiously write and complete the “Final Report” with original data, no later than 6 months after the end of the 2 years following the receipt of the first funding.
- The scientific leader of each selected project commits to visiting Lesaffre (travel expenses covered by Lesaffre) for a scientific meeting with all grant winners once a year, contributing to the building of a scientific network of excellence.
- The Applicant will send all relevant administrative papers requested for the establishment of the contract the latest within a month after confirmation by Lesaffre of the selection of the project.
FAQ
What is the topic of Lesaffre China Research Grant 2025?
The first edition of the Lesaffre China Research Grant will focus on promoting innovation in synthetic biology applied to microorganisms and fermented solutions in the area of soil fertility improvement and ideally carbon sequestration through microbial solutions.
Preference will be given to innovative approaches leveraging microbial genetic engineering or domestication techniques, especially those involving microorganisms originating from China’s rich biodiversity.
In case your proposal is not directly related to the focus topic of Lesaffre China Research Grant 2025, Lesaffre may however consider highly innovative proposals which might lead to significant advances in other areas related to Lesaffre businesses, as long as they leverage microorganisms synthetic biology. However, please note that the evaluation process of such proposals may require more time and not fulfill the initial schedule of the selection.
What are the benefits for me to apply for Lesaffre China Research Grant?
Applying for the Lesaffre China Research Grant offers multiple significant benefits:
- Excellence Recognition: Your work will be recognized by a global leader in fermentation and microorganisms with more than 170 years of expertise. Selected projects will be part of a network of scientific excellence in China, composed of all the Grant winners throughout the years
- Substantial Funding: Successful projects receive up to €100,000 for a two-year period, allowing you to fully focus on your research without financial constraints
- International Collaboration: You will gain access to Lesaffre’s global expertise and know-how, with opportunities to visit Lesaffre facilities and participate in scientific meetings with other grant winners, contributing to an international network of researchers
- Industry Relevance: Your research will have direct applications to real-world challenges, potentially leading to commercial applications and broader impact.
Up to when can I apply?
The key deadlines are:
- Phase 1 (Letter of Intent): September 30th, 2025 (end of business day)
- Phase 2 (Detailed Dossier, if pre-selected): November 30th, 2025 (end of business day)
Selected projects are expected to begin in the first quarter of 2026, no later than April 1st, 2026.
Who can apply?
Eligible applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Be affiliated with public Chinese institutions of higher learning or scientific research institutes
- Be based within the territory of China
- Have full working proficiency in English
- Be the person in charge of the project (Coordinator)
- The project must be innovative, new and free of any other private funding
Both single laboratory and collaborative/transdisciplinary approaches are welcomed for this grant program.
How can I apply?
The application process consists of two phases:
Phase 1: Submit a Letter of Intent (maximum 2 pages – See Appendix 1) in English by September 30th, 2025, including:
- Project Identification Sheet
- Scientific Description of the Project
- Your detailed resume with achievement track record (publications, membership to steering committees or scientific networks or associations, collaborations with public or private institutions/companies, prizes, patents, etc.)
Phase 2 (if pre-selected): Submit a detailed Dossier (maximum 5 pages – See Appendixes 2, 2A and 2B) in English by November 30th, 2025, including:
- Project Identification Sheet
- Expanded Scientific Description with additional details on background knowledge and funding (5 pages maximum)
- Documents required for registration in Lesaffre supplier management system
All submissions must follow the provided templates and documents must be sent by mail to china.grant@lesaffre.com
Once your submission email has been treated, you will receive an acknowledgement of receipt email.
Where can I find the templates to be completed for the submission of my project?
In which language should the submission be completed?
All submitted documents must be written in English. This includes both the Letter of Intent with included resume (Phase 1) and the detailed Dossier and other appendixes (Phase 2), as well as all reports and communications throughout the project.
How will the projects be selected?
The selection process occurs in two phases:
Phase 1: An internal jury of Lesaffre scientific experts will pre-select up to 10 projects based on:
- Timely and complete submission in the correct format
- Alignment with the Grant objectives and relevance to Chinese context
- Originality of approach and innovation potential
- Applicant profile and scientific excellence
Phase 2: An international jury consisting of external scientific experts and internal Lesaffre scientific experts will conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the detailed dossiers. This evaluation will focus, on top of phase 1 criteria, on:
- Scientific excellence and innovation: The scientific quality, originality, and innovative nature of the proposed research
- Methodology and feasibility: The robustness of the proposed methodology and the feasibility of completing the project within the given timeframe and budget
- Expertise and capabilities: The qualifications and experience of the research team and the adequacy of available resources
- Potential impact: The potential for significant scientific advancement and practical applications
- Sustainability considerations: How the project addresses environmental challenges
- Technology Readiness Level (TRL): The project’s capacity to deliver proof of concept or protectable results (patents, know-how) by the end of the project (TRL 3-4)
- Relevance to Chinese agricultural contexts and challenges
Pre-selected applicants will be notified by October 15th, 2025, and final selections (1-2 projects) will be announced by December 10th, 2025.
In case your proposal is not directly related to the focus topic of Lesaffre China Research Grant 2025, Lesaffre may however consider highly innovative proposals which might lead to significant advances in other areas related to Lesaffre businesses, as long asthey leverage microorganisms synthetic biology. However, please note that the evaluation process of such proposals may require more time and not fulfill the initial schedule of the selection.
When will I be informed if my project is selected?
You will be informed of the selection results according to the following timeline:
- Phase 1 results: By October 15th, 2025, you will be notified whether your Letter of Intent has been pre-selected to continue to Phase 2. If pre-selected, you will receive comments to help you prepare your detailed Dossier for Phase 2.
- Final selection results: By December 10th, 2025, you will be notified of the final selection decision. If your project is among the 1-2 selected projects, you will receive information about the next steps for establishing the Agreement that will govern your project.
All applicants, whether selected or not, will receive notification of the decision. Selected projects are expected to begin in the first quarter of 2026, no later than April 1st, 2026.
In case your proposal is not directly related to the focus topic of Lesaffre China Research Grant 2025, Lesaffre may however consider highly innovative proposals which might lead to significant advances in other areas related to Lesaffre businesses, as long asthey leverage microorganisms synthetic biology. However, please note that the evaluation process of such proposals may require more time and not fulfill the initial schedule of the selection.
What kind of legal agreement will be established if my project is selected?
If your project is selected, a formal contract will be established with Lesaffre International, Lesaffre entity that will fund the winning projects of this Grant. As the corporate headquarters entity hosting Lesaffre Institute of Science & Technology, Lesaffre International manages the group’s strategic international partnerships, including research collaborations and innovation initiatives worldwide.
The agreement will mainly cover:
- Confidentiality and Intellectual property rights (results and IP ownership will belong to you or your institution / Lesaffre will have first right view on the results)
- Budgeting and Payment schedule (50% at contract signature, 30% at the end of the first year and after participating in the annual meeting at Lesaffre in France, 20% after final report)
- Project timeline and deliverables
- Reporting requirements
This agreement must be signed within 90 days after you are informed of your project’s selection.
What do I commit to if my project is selected?
If your project is selected, you commit to:
- Signing a contract with Lesaffre International within 90 days of selection notification
- Agreeing to Intellectual Property arrangements where results and IP ownership will belong to you or your institution, with Lesaffre having a first view right on the results
- Mentioning Lesaffre China Research Grant funding in all communications or publications of the results
- Submitting a comprehensive “Final Report” with original data no later than 6 months after the end of the 2-year funding period
- Visiting Lesaffre (travel expenses covered by Lesaffre) for a scientific meeting with other grant winners, contributing to building a scientific network of excellence
- Providing all relevant administrative documents for contract establishment within one month of selection
- Managing project funds according to the approved budget
- Maintaining confidentiality about the project and not sharing information outside of the Grant for private interest purposes