CAAIN — 2024 – 2025 Open Competition

The CAAIN - 2024 – 2025 Open Competition provides structured funding support to advance innovation in agri-food technology. The financing modalities are designed to optimize project outcomes through strategic co-financing and resource management.

• Successful applicants will be awarded up to $3 Million CAD for project execution.
• CAAIN will reimburse projects up to 40% of the Total Eligible Supported Expenses.
• All funded initiatives are subject to a 5% administration fee.
• CAAIN will only match unencumbered cash contributions towards eligible supported expenses.
• Funding is not matched against governmental sources, in-kind contributions, or future project-related revenue.
• Applicants must justify the funding amount requested, with CAAIN potentially approving less than requested.
• Capital equipment related costs require CAAIN and ISED approval for disposal, which may involve repayment if sold.
• Indirect costs (overhead) are capped at up to 55% on eligible direct labour costs, with specific conditions applied to subcontractor and consultant costs.

Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific requirements related to the project team composition, financial contributions, and alignment with program objectives.

• Project teams/networks must be comprised of organizations with operations in Canada, involving multiple stakeholders such as academic/research institutions, not-for-profit organizations, and for-profit entities (SMEs, MNEs).
• Projects must include cash contributions from at least two small or medium enterprises (SME) incorporated in Canada, defined as those with 499 or fewer employees.
• All project partners must be in good standing with CAAIN, having no overdue reporting or monies owed.
• The proposal objectives must align with CAAIN and the ISED Strategic Innovation Fund Stream 4.
• The initiative must be incremental to the regular business of project team member organizations, with distinct financial commitments and new project scopes.
• Project teams/networks must commit to sharing technology assessments and research results via a CAAIN-led or managed software platform.
• Project teams/networks must promote the CAAIN brand in association with the smart farm or smart farm network.
• Former and current funding recipients of CAAIN are welcome to apply.
• The project must be developing a digital technology or operating a Canadian smart farm focused on specific agri-food products or challenges.
• Must have the knowledge and skills necessary to evaluate and report on the benefits of the technology or knowledge being evaluated.
• Must be capable of empirically validating and publicly sharing evaluations of emerging technologies.
• Commit to sharing research and demonstration data for publication in the CAAIN directories.
• Commit to using CAAIN’s data collaboration and management platform for data integration activities.
• Commit to keeping resultant IP and data in Canada for a minimum of 5 years.

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.

The evaluation and selection of projects for this grant are based on specific criteria to ensure alignment with the grant’s objectives.

• Technical merit: The innovation concept must be scientifically sound and show progress of at least one Technology Readiness Level (TRL) through levels 1-7, with a focus on levels 3-7, towards commercialization or wider adoption in Canada.
• Breadth and knowledge of the team/network members: The team should encompass multiple representatives of the agricultural product value chain and have collective expertise to evaluate technologies from various perspectives.
• Economic and Social Benefits to Canadian agtech and agriculture: Projects should create future value for the Canadian agriculture sector and promote innovation adoption.
• Training opportunities: Proposals should outline opportunities for experiential learning and training, including co-op or Work Integrated Learning programs targeting students or reskilling/upskilling industry workers.
• Budget: Expenditures must be reasonable for the industry, appropriately justified, and adhere to CAAIN costing principles.

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.