Open
CAAIN — 2024 – 2025 Open Competition
Supporting agri-food automation, AI, and smart farms
Record updated
- Funding available
- $ 3,000,000
- Up to 40% of project cost
- Deadline
- Open continuously
- Location
- Canada
- Who can apply
- Canadian organizations with operations in agriculture, technology development, or primary processing.
- See full eligibility
Overview
The Canadian Agri-Food Automation and Intelligence Network (CAAIN) 2024-2025 Open Competition offers up to $3 Million CAD in funding per project. It supports collaborative research and innovation projects that advance automation, robotics, data-based decision-making, and smart farm networks in agri-food production and primary processing.
At a glance
Funding available
- Maximum funding
- $3,000,000
- Maximum share of project costs
- 40%
- Increase performance through digital transformation
- Optimize production processes
- Reduce environmental footprint
- Develop workforce skills
Eligible candidates
- Location
- Canada
- Eligible Industries
- All industries
- Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
- Organisation size
- All organization sizes
- Audience
- Canadians
- Legal structures
- Non-profit, Public or Parapublic institution, For-profit business
Non-profit candidates
- Sector of operation
- Higher Education, Research, Environment, Economic, Social and Community Development, Employment and Training, Business Associations, Diversity and Inclusion
- Target groups
- Indigenous peoples, Rural / Remote communities, Business owners / entrepreneurs, Nonprofits / charities, Academia / students
- Scope
- National, International
Start applying for this program
Take a practical assessment to gain a clear understanding of how well this program aligns with your specific needs and long-term goals.
Availability timeline
2026
Periods: 1
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Canadian organizations with operations in agriculture, technology development, or primary processing.
- SMEs, academic and research institutions, and not-for-profit organizations.
- Projects involving collaborations among multiple stakeholders.
- Current and former CAAIN funding recipients.
Who is not eligible
This grant does not explicitly exclude any specific types of companies or industries. However, eligibility is primarily centered around certain requirements such as Canadian operations and SME definition by Statistics Canada, and project compatibility with CAAIN objectives.
Eligible expenses
- Direct labour for eligible project activities.
- Subcontractor and consultant fees.
- Project materials and supplies.
- Equipment costs directly tied to the project.
- Travel, outreach, and other direct project costs.
Eligible geographic areas
- Canada
Activities funded
- Development of automation and robotics in agri-food production and primary processing.
- Creation of data-based decision-making tools for agriculture.
- Implementation of smart farm platforms or smart farm networks.
- Training activities for a technologically skilled agricultural workforce.
How to apply
- Step 1: Project Application Form (PAF)
- Complete and submit the PAF.
- Outline project objectives and expected outcomes.
- Submit by the deadline or through the rolling intake.
- Step 2: Invitation to Expression of Interest (EOI)
- Wait for CAAIN’s invitation after PAF submission.
- Step 3: Submit Expression of Interest (EOI)
- Provide a detailed outline of the proposed activities.
- Submit within the required deadline after invitation.
- Step 4: Invitation to Full Project Proposal (FPP)
- Wait for the invitation to submit the FPP.
- Step 5: Submit Full Project Proposal (FPP)
- Prepare the full proposal, financial workbook, and supporting documentation.
- Incorporate feedback from the EOI stage.
- Step 6: Funding Decision
- Wait for the final decision from CAAIN’s Board of Directors.
Documents Needed
- Project Application Form (PAF)
- Expression of Interest (EOI)
- Full Project Proposal (FPP)
- Full financial workbook
- Supporting documentation
Selection criteria
- Technical merit and scientific soundness.
- Breadth and expertise of the team or network.
- Economic and social benefits to Canadian agtech and agriculture.
- Training opportunities and experiential learning.
- Reasonable and well-justified expenditures.
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are reviewed in three stages: PAF, EOI, and FPP.
- EOI and FPP stages are invitation only.
- Final funding decisions are made by CAAIN’s Board of Directors.
- Successful applicants must sign a Project Funding Agreement before work can start.
- Quarterly and final reporting are required, and reimbursement depends on approved reporting.
Additional information
Here are additional relevant details for this grant:
- CAAIN funding is complementary to cash contributions from at least two Canadian SMEs, excluding governmental sources.
- Project outcomes must include widespread sharing of results via CAAIN-managed platforms, reinforcing open collaboration.
- Proposals need to showcase intent to enhance specific Canadian agricultural sectors through digital technologies or smart farms.
- All projects must utilize CAAIN's data management platform, ensuring standardized data reporting and sharing.
- A 5% administration fee applies to all funded initiatives, as stipulated by CAAIN.
- The scope of funding is up to $3 Million CAD, with reimbursement up to 40% of eligible expenses.
- Resultant intellectual property and data must remain in Canada for a minimum of 5 years post-project.
- Broad collaborations leveraging expertise and addressing technological challenges are strongly encouraged.
- Eligible smart farms and networks should include evaluations of emerging technologies under Canadian conditions.
Contacts
Official sources
Frequently Asked Questions about the CAAIN — 2024 – 2025 Open Competition Program
What is the CAAIN — 2024 – 2025 Open Competition?
The Canadian Agri-Food Automation and Intelligence Network (CAAIN) 2024-2025 Open Competition offers up to $3 Million CAD in funding per project. It supports collaborative research and innovation projects that advance automation, robotics, data-based decision-making, and smart farm networks in agri-food production and primary processing.
How much funding can be received?
CAAIN — 2024 – 2025 Open Competition Funds up to 40% of admissible expenses, capped at $3,000,000 per project.
What is the deadline to apply?
The program is accepting continuous intake
Who is eligible for the CAAIN — 2024 – 2025 Open Competition program?
To be eligible for the CAAIN — 2024 – 2025 Open Competition program, you must:
Organizations operating in Canada.
Cash contributions from at least two Canadian SMEs.
Project partners in good standing with CAAIN.
What expenses are eligible under CAAIN — 2024 – 2025 Open Competition?
Direct labour for eligible project activities.
Subcontractor and consultant fees.
Project materials and supplies.
Equipment costs directly tied to the project.
Travel, outreach, and other direct project costs.
Who can I contact for more information about the CAAIN — 2024 – 2025 Open Competition?
You can contact Canadian Agri-Food Automation and Intelligence Network (CAAIN) by email at info@caain.ca.
Where is the CAAIN — 2024 – 2025 Open Competition available?
The CAAIN — 2024 – 2025 Open Competition program is available across Canada.