There is a large and growing market for plant-based protein, within which the imperative for price competitiveness and sustainability continues to drive a major shift in preferred raw material from soybean and pea to faba bean. Prior UKRI funded research by the applicants has developed faba bean genome maps and uncovered sequence variation controlling a variety of simple and complex faba bean seed traits including, crucially to this application, levels of anti-nutrients as well as nutrients in the seed. The team has thus secured a world-leading position in understanding the genetic architecture of faba bean seed storage protein content and composition. They have already laid the foundations for commercial exploitation of this knowhow by conducting market research into the demand for faba bean varieties with enhanced protein content, quality or both (the 'Fabaplus' concept), by generating novel nutritionally enhanced breeding material and validating cutting edge methodologies for selection of commercially viable candidate varieties with uniquely high content and high quality of seed protein. However, the long duration of the breeding process and uncertainties over which characteristics other than seed nutritional density/quality might be decisive in determining the commercial success of a putative 'Fabaplus' variety mean that it is difficult for commercial bean breeders to invest in the concept as it currently stands. Therefore, it is appropriate to request UKRI support for a development plan which will take the 'Fabaplus' breeding pipeline to the point where novel candidate lines with both competitive yields and unique quality characteristics can be evaluated for their technical performance by commercial partners in their plant protein concentration processes. The programme essentially involves scaling up efficient DNA and protein profiling of 1,000s of individual lines from breeding populations, so that we can stack beneficial DNA variants and process a sufficiently large population to find rare individuals combining competitive commercial yield potential with unprecedented levels of high-quality protein. To assess the utility of 'Fabaplus' trait enhancements, we have partnered with a plant protein processor who has specifically targeted faba bean as a raw material fitting the sustainability and nutritional values required by their business models. Our processor partners will conduct side-by-side evaluations of 'Fabaplus' candidate varieties alongside best current commercially available raw materials to determine any gains in efficiency or end product quality attributable to the raw material, forming the basis for an assessment of economic returns that will drive demand for 'Fabaplus' varieties. Two alternative routes to commercialisation are envisaged: either a dedicated new spinout company will be formed to finish and submit 'Fabaplus' varieties for Plant Breeder's Rights or the further breeding and commercialisation will be pursued through partnership with commercial breeders under a licensing arrangement. An advisory board of commercial bean breeders and end user partners will provide ongoing feedback throughout the programme and a forum through which optimum commercialisation routes can be developed