
Grants for Food Processing Available in Canada
Canada’s food processing industry is a vital part of the nation’s agricultural sector, driving economic growth, creating jobs, and fostering innovation. To support this dynamic industry, various food processing grants and funding programs are available, designed to help businesses thrive, innovate, and meet the evolving needs of the market. This article delves into the diverse funding opportunities available for food processors, highlighting the types of grants, eligibility criteria, and the process to access these resources.
Grant and FundingClosedSustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (SCAP), Government of Ontario, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness (OMAFRA)Funding for dairy processing equipment upgrades
Grant and FundingClosedFood Security and Supply Chain Fund
Funding for Ontario agri-food supply chain resilience
Grant and FundingOpenAgriScience Program — Projects – Not-for-profit
Funding for pre-commercial agriculture and agri-food science
Grant and FundingTax CreditsClosedGrowth Community Improvement Plan
Funding for Thunder Bay growth projects- Grant and FundingClosed
Large Scale Industrial Grant Matching Program
Matching funding for major industrial development
Grant and FundingArchivedInfrastructure de recherche et développement
Support for businesses investing in R&D infrastructure
Other SupportGrant and FundingClosedDevelopment Charges Incentive Program
Development charge deferrals for qualifying projects
Grant and FundingOpenMarket Diversification and Trade Resiliency Initiative
Funding to diversify and strengthen domestic and international market access
Researchers And FacilitiesPartnering and CollaborationGrant and FundingClosedQuebec Fisheries Fund — Innovation
Funding for Quebec fish and seafood innovationEligible Funding- Maximum amount : 2,500,000 $
- Up to 70% of project cost
Eligible Industries- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Manufacturing
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Educational services
Types of eligible projectsCommercializationTechnologyEnvironment and ClimateConstruction and Renovation
Grant and FundingClosedAgricultural Workforce Equity and Diversity Initiative
Support for inclusive agri-food business growthEligible Funding- From $25,000 to $100,000
- Up to 85% of project cost
Eligible Industries- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Manufacturing
- Educational services
- Public administration
Types of eligible projectsCommercializationTechnologyEnvironment and ClimateConstruction and Renovation Human ResourcesInnovationDigital Transformation
Grant and FundingClosedEvaluation of the Dairy Farm Investment Program and the Dairy Processing Investment Fund
Support for Canadian dairy sector investments
Grant and FundingClosedStrathroy-Caradoc Community Improvement Plan (CIP) – Funding Programs
Municipal funding for local improvement projects
Grant and FundingOpenACOA Jobs and Growth Fund — For Profit
Money to future-proof your Atlantic Canada for-profit business
Tax CreditsOpenGaspésie and Maritime Provinces
Refundable tax credit supporting job creation in Quebec maritime regions
Grant and FundingClosedPacifiCan — Jobs and Growth Fund — For profit
Money to future-proof your business in British Columbia
Grant and FundingClosedAgri-Tech Innovation Initiative : Stream 1 – Agri-Tech Innovation
Cost-shared funding for agri-tech upgrades- Partnering and CollaborationGrant and FundingExpert AdviceClosed
Le programme aquaentrepreneur
Commercial support for Quebec water-tech companies
Grant and FundingClosedAgri-Tech Innovation Initiative : Stream 2 – Agri-Tech Innovation
Supports agri-food innovation and efficiency
Researchers And FacilitiesPartnering and CollaborationGrant and FundingOpenBiofood Innovation Program
Support for biofood innovation and knowledge transfer
Grant and FundingOpenMAPAQ — Prime-Vert — Component 1.2.2
Support for agri-environmental farm projects
Grant and FundingOpenSustainable Growth and Adoption Program (SGAP)
Supports clean technology adoption and operational sustainability improvements
Researchers And FacilitiesPartnering and CollaborationGrant and FundingClosedQuebec Fisheries Fund — Science partnerships
Funding for Quebec fish and seafood innovationEligible Funding- Maximum amount : 1,000,000 $
- Up to 70% of project cost
Eligible Industries- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Manufacturing
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Educational services
Types of eligible projectsCommercializationTechnologyEnvironment and ClimateInnovationDiscover how much grant funding is available for your business
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Researchers And FacilitiesPartnering and CollaborationGrant and FundingClosedInnoFood — Food innovations for a sustainable future
Consortium de recherche et d'innovations en bioprocédés industriels au Québec (CRIBIQ), Ministère de l'économie, de l'innovation et de l'énergie du Québec (MEIE)Funding for sustainable food innovation projects
Grant and FundingClosedWorkforce Analysis and Planning Program (WAPP)
Funding for BC workforce research and planning
Grant and FundingClosedSeafood Expansion and Market Access Program (SeaMArk)
Supports Nova Scotia seafood businesses in expanding market access
Other SupportResearchers And FacilitiesPartnering and CollaborationGrant and FundingExpert AdviceOpenBioCreate Program
Funding and mentorship for Ontario biotech SMEs
Grant and FundingOpenCQRDA — PARTENAR-IA — Business
Funding for Quebec innovative collaborations in AI, using aluminium
Loans and Capital investmentsArchivedAdvanced Manufacturing Investment Strategy (AMIS)
Supports Ontario manufacturers investing in advanced technology and innovation
Other SupportPartnering and CollaborationGrant and FundingClosedCFIN — Foodtech Frontier 25
Honouring top Canadian innovators in food technology sector
Partnering and CollaborationGrant and FundingExpert AdviceClosedRelève Alimentaire Québec Award
Awards recognizing emerging leaders in Quebec's food industry
Partnering and CollaborationGrant and FundingClosedEmerging Innovators Challenge
SME-led clean technology funding in AlbertaEligible Funding- From $250,000 to $5,000,000
- Up to 50% of project cost
Eligible Industries- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
- Utilities
- Construction
Types of eligible projectsCommercializationArtificial Intelligence (AI)TechnologyEnvironment and ClimateInnovationDigital Transformation
Grant and FundingClosedAgri-Food Supply Chain Resiliency Analysis Stream
Support for agri-food sector market and supply chain challenges
Researchers And FacilitiesPartnering and CollaborationGrant and FundingExpert AdviceClosedPRIMA — Call For Projects In Artificial Intelligence And Quantum Technologies
Funding for collaborative AI and quantum projectsEligible Funding- Maximum amount : 1,500,000 $
- Up to 35% of project cost
Eligible Industries- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
- Utilities
- Construction
Types of eligible projectsCommercializationArtificial Intelligence (AI)TechnologyInnovation
Grant and FundingClosedPacifiCan — Jobs and Growth Fund — Not-for-profit
Money to future-proof your non-profit in British Columbia
Grant and FundingClosedEmissions Performance Standards program
Ontario EPS program reduces industrial greenhouse gas emissions
Wage Subsidies And InternsClosedCritical Worker Benefit - Phase Two (Private Sector)
One-time support for eligible Alberta workers
Grant and FundingClosedBuy BC Partnership Program — Industry Associations, Boards or Councils
Funding to promote British Columbia agri-food and seafood
Grant and FundingClosedCBDC Seafood Technology Adoption Program (S-TAP)
Support for seafood technology adoption in New Brunswick
Researchers And FacilitiesGrant and FundingOpenNBIF Innovation Voucher
Funding for R&D at a New Brunswick research institutionEligible Funding- From $10,000 to $80,000
- Up to 80% of project cost
Eligible Industries- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Manufacturing
- Information and cultural industries
- Professional, scientific and technical services
Types of eligible projectsCommercializationTechnologyInnovation
Grant and FundingExpert AdviceClosedPost-Farm Food Safety Program
Funding for food safety improvements in BC
Grant and FundingClosedCanNor Jobs and Growth Fund — Not-for-Profit
Money to future-proof your non-profit in Northern Canada
Grant and FundingOpenAgriAssurance Program — Kosher and Halal Investment – Not-for-profit
Funding for national assurance system projects
Grant and FundingOpenEmerging Opportunities Program
Supports innovation and growth in Alberta’s value-added agriculture sector
Expert AdviceOpenAdvisory Services Program — Component 1 - Support for the use of advisory services by businesses
Supports business access to expert advisory services
Grant and FundingOpenREGI — Regional Innovation Ecosystems — CED (QC) — Not-for-profit
Money to support business growth in Quebec
Grant and FundingClosedSolar Photovoltaic (PV) incentives
Incentives for behind-the-meter solar PV systems
Other SupportOpenSpecial Milk Class Permit Program
Access special pricing for Canadian dairy ingredientsAccess over 10 000 different funding opportunities
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Grant and FundingClosedAgri-Tech Innovation Initiative (ATII)
Supports agri-food innovation and energy efficiency
Grant and FundingClosedOntario — Meat Processors Capacity Improvement Initiative
Funding for meat processing capacity upgrades
Partnering and CollaborationGrant and FundingArchivedAlberta Innovates — Agri-Food and Bioindustrial Innovation Program
Funding for agri-food and bioindustrial innovationEligible Funding- Maximum amount : 500,000 $
- Up to 75% of project cost
Eligible Industries- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Construction
- Manufacturing
Types of eligible projectsCommercializationArtificial Intelligence (AI)TechnologyEnvironment and ClimateConstruction and Renovation InnovationDigital Transformation
Grant and FundingOpenMAPAQ — Prime-Vert — Component 1.2.6
Funding for agri-environmental farm projects
Grant and FundingOpenMAPAQ — Prime-Vert — Component 1.1.1
Supports agri-environmental practices for farms
Expert AdviceClosedFaster Forward Business Success Coaching Program (Faster Forward Coaching)
Free coaching to help businesses scale up
Other SupportExpert AdviceOpenColumbia Basin Trust — Basin Business Advisors
Business advice and training for Columbia Basin companies
Grant and FundingOpenBiofood Innovation Program Component 3 – Business innovation in the commercial fisheries and aquaculture sector
Supports applied innovation in Quebec's fisheries and aquaculture sector
Grant and FundingClosedPort Perry Community Improvement Plan (CIP) Incentive Programs
Financial support for targeted redevelopment projectsEligible Funding- Maximum amount : 15,000 $
- Up to 75% of project cost
Eligible Industries- Manufacturing
- Wholesale trade
- Transportation and warehousing
- Professional, scientific and technical services
Types of eligible projectsEnvironment and ClimateConstruction and Renovation Innovation
Grant and FundingClosedAgri-Food Energy Cost Savings Initiative
Energy efficiency funding for agri-food processors
Grant and FundingOpenThree Phase Network Access Program
Supports three-phase electrical access for agri-food businesses
Grant and FundingClosed2023 Open Call: Automation, Digital Technologies, and Demonstration in Agri-Food Production
Money for agri-food sector technological advancements
Grant and FundingClosedSteam Trap Audit and Replacement Rebates
Rebates for steam trap audits and replacements
Grant and FundingOpenClimate-Smart Agriculture and Food Systems - Interdisciplinary Challenge Teams
Supports genomics projects reducing food system emissions
Partnering and CollaborationGrant and FundingClosedProtein Industries Canada — Strengthening the Canadian Supply Chain Program
Supports Canadian plant-based innovation and local supply chain resilience
Tax CreditsOpenCapital Investment Tax Credit (CITC)
Tax credit supporting Alberta manufacturing and tourism infrastructure investments
Wage Subsidies And InternsOpenSummer Student Farm Worker Bursary
Summer bursaries for student farm and fisheries work
Grant and FundingClosedManitoba — Research and Innovation
Funding for agriculture and agri-food R&D and innovation in Manitoba
Partnering and CollaborationExpert AdviceOpenHumami Center — A structured approach to innovation and commercialization based on the specific needs of institutions
Supports Quebec companies innovating and commercializing for institutional markets
Grant and FundingArchivedRegional development agencies: COVID-19 support
Support for businesses affected by COVID-19
Grant and FundingClosedEnergy efficiency for industry – Industrial Facility Track
Supports energy efficiency upgrades for Canadian industrial facilitiesFind tailored funding for your business
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Grant and FundingClosedFood Processing Growth Fund (FPG)
Supports scaling BC food processors for productivity and growth
Partnering and CollaborationGrant and FundingClosedSustainable New Agri-Food Products & Productivity Program — Productivity Enhancement
Funding for agri-food innovation and productivity
Grant and FundingOpenCentre for Women in Business
Training and events for Nova Scotia women entrepreneurs
Researchers And FacilitiesPartnering and CollaborationGrant and FundingOpenPSO – Organic food
Supports collaborative biofood research and innovation projects in Quebec
Grant and FundingClosedLabour Force Management Strategies Initiative (LFMSI)
Funding for agri-food labour force solutions
Grant and FundingExpert AdviceOpenSeafood Accelerator Program – Quality and Food Safety
Supports Nova Scotia seafood companies in quality and food safety projects
Grant and FundingClosedBOLT Grant Program
Supports projects expanding global Internet connectivity through prototypes and pilots.
Grant and FundingClosedBuy BC Partnership Program — Producers, Processors and Cooperatives
Funding to promote British Columbia agri-food and seafood
Researchers And FacilitiesPartnering and CollaborationGrant and FundingClosedAscendBio
Scale industrial biotech and agritech in Canada
Partnering and CollaborationGrant and FundingLoans and Capital investmentsClosedAgriInnovation Program Stream C: Enabling Commercialization and Adoption
Supports agri-food innovation commercialization and adoption
Researchers And FacilitiesExpert AdviceOpenNRC — Aquatic and Crop Resource Development Research Centre
Collaborate on aquatic and crop resource R&D
Grant and FundingExpert AdviceClosedSpecialized Support Fund
Non-repayable support for business improvement projects
Grant and FundingOpenAgriMarketing Program: Market Diversification for SMEs
Supports SMEs to diversify agricultural exports into new markets.
Grant and FundingClosedBringing Circularity to Life in the Bioeconomy: From Envisioning to Planning
Supports feasibility studies for innovative circular economy projects
Grant and FundingClosedIBM Sustainability Accelerator
Supports tech-driven sustainability solutions for stressed communities
Grant and FundingLoans and Capital investmentsClosedBrockton Community Improvement Plan (CIP) Financial Incentive Programs
Funding for Brockton property improvement projects
Grant and FundingOpenInnovative Enterprise Program
Funding for robotization, automation, and business process projects
Grant and FundingClosedDéfi-Québec, an entrepreneurial city
Supports innovative startups in Québec and Wendake to launch operationsEligible Funding- Maximum amount : 50,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
Eligible Industries- Utilities
- Manufacturing
- Information and cultural industries
- Professional, scientific and technical services
Types of eligible projectsCommercializationArtificial Intelligence (AI)TechnologyEnvironment and ClimateInnovation
Grant and FundingExpert AdviceClosedB.C. — Agri-Business Planning Program
Funding for farm business planning and training
Tax CreditsOpenBenefiting from a tax holiday for a large investment project
Tax relief for major Québec investments
Grant and FundingOpenBiofood Innovation Program Component 1 – Financial support for research, transfer and dissemination organizations
Supports research and innovation in Quebec's biofood sector
Researchers And FacilitiesPartnering and CollaborationGrant and FundingOpenClosing SoonBiofood Innovation Program Component 5 – Support for knowledge transfer and dissemination
Support for biofood knowledge transfer projects
Grant and FundingOpenAgriScience Program — Projects — for-profit organizations
Funding for pre-commercial agriculture and agri-food science
Grant and FundingClosedOntario — Biosecurity Enhancement Initiative
Biosecurity Enhancement Initiative supports agriculture and food sector resiliency