CAAIN — 2024 – 2025 Open Competition

Who is eligible?

The Canadian Agri-Food Automation and Intelligence Network (CAAIN) grant aims to support collaborative projects involving Canadian entities across the agri-food sector, with an emphasis on advancing technological innovation and commercial adoption.

• Canadian organizations with operations in agriculture, technology development, or primary processing.
• Projects involving collaborations between small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and other stakeholders such as universities or not-for-profit entities.
• Project participants must include cash contributions from at least two Canadian SMEs.
• International collaborations are welcome, but funding flows only to Canadian entities.
• Applicants must ensure that projects align with CAAIN's goals, focusing on innovative uses of automation, robotics, or data-driven decision-making in agriculture.
• Projects must be new initiatives distinct from routine business operations, with committed results and technology sharing agreements as part of their proposals.
• Current and past CAAIN funding recipients are eligible to apply again.

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

The grant covers specific expenses directly related to the implementation and success of the project.

• Direct Labour: Gross wages or salaries incurred and paid for eligible activities.
• Subcontractors and Consultants: Costs for work or services performed by external third parties or affiliates.
• Direct Materials & Supplies: Costs of materials specifically identified for the project, including those issued from general stocks.
• Equipment: Capital costs for equipment purchased for project activities, including alterations and preparatory costs.
• Intellectual Property & Other Direct Costs: Eligible costs not classified under other categories, directly related to project activities.
• Travel and Outreach Costs: Eligible costs for travel directly related to project activities, which are appropriate and reasonable.

Eligible geographic areas

This grant is available to organizations with operations in Canada as per the eligibility requirements. The eligible locations are geared towards Canadian entities to support local development.

• Organizations with operations in Canada.
• Canadian entities including SMEs, academic/research institutions, and not-for-profit organizations.
• International collaborations are welcome, but must involve Canadian operations for funding allocation.

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.