How much funding can be received?

Funds up to 40% of admissible expenses, capped at $1000000 per project.

What is the deadline to apply?

The program is accepting continuous intake

Who are the financial supporters of the CAAIN — 2024 Smart Farm Network Competition?

CAAIN — 2024 Smart Farm Network Competition is funded by Canadian Agri-Food Automation and Intelligence Network (CAAIN)

What are CAAIN — 2024 Smart Farm Network Competition's eligibility criterias?

Network must include at least two Canadian-incorporated SMEs (499 or fewer employees). Organizations must operate in Canada; funding flows only to Canadian entities. Proposal objectives must align with CAAIN and the ISED Strategic Innovation Fund Stream 4.

CAAIN — 2024 Smart Farm Network Competition

Last Update: June 22, 2025

Canada

Develop smart farm networks for Canadian agtech innovation

CAAIN — 2024 Smart Farm Network Competition at a glance

Eligible Funding

Max. $1,000,000
Up to 40% of project cost

Timeline

Closing date : June 30, 2024

Financing Type

Grant and Funding

Eligible Industries

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

Grant Providers

Canadian Agri-Food Automation and Intelligence Network (CAAIN)

Status

Closed

Overview of the CAAIN — 2024 Smart Farm Network Competition program

The CAAIN — 2024 Smart Farm Network Competition offers up to $1 million CAD per project to support the creation or development of smart farm networks across Canada. This funding aims to accelerate the evaluation and adoption of advanced agricultural technologies through collaborative, on-farm research, demonstration, and workforce development activities.

Financing terms and conditions

Funding of up to $1 million CAD per project for smart farm network development.
CAAIN reimburses up to 40% of total eligible supported expenses.
All funded projects are subject to a 5% administration fee.
CAAIN only matches unencumbered cash contributions; funding from other government entities and in-kind contributions are not eligible for matching.

Eligible projects & activities

Creation or development of smart farm networks to evaluate agricultural technologies under real-world commercial conditions.
Assessment and validation of new agtech innovations for Canadian agricultural producers.
Collaborative projects among smart farms and agtech organizations to promote the adoption of emerging technologies.
Initiatives that provide learning and skill-building opportunities for the future agtech workforce.
Projects aimed at building and sharing research data on the benefits of advanced agricultural technologies.

Eligibility criteria of the CAAIN — 2024 Smart Farm Network Competition program

The network must be composed of organizations with operations in Canada; projects involving multiple stakeholders such as academic/research institutions, not-for-profit organizations, and for-profit entities (including SMEs) are encouraged.
The network must include cash contributions from at least two small or medium Canadian enterprises (SMEs defined as having 499 or fewer employees).
All network partners must be in good standing with CAAIN (no overdue reporting or monies owed).
The proposed project must be new or incremental and would not occur at the same scope or scale without CAAIN funding.
The network must be willing to share results and data with the broader CAAIN community and adhere to CAAIN data-sharing and branding requirements.

Who is eligible?

Canadian commercial farms
Educational or research farms
Agricultural facilities focused on recognized agri-food products or Canadian agricultural challenges (including Indigenous-focused agriculture, broad-acre crops, small-acre crops, greenhouse crops, horticultural crops, livestock and poultry, dairy, soil health, and regenerative agriculture)
Organizations operating smart farms or forming smart farm networks
Canadian small or medium enterprises (SMEs) incorporated in Canada

Who is not eligible

International organizations without legal operations in Canada (only Canadian entities are eligible to receive funding).
Networks that do not include at least two Canadian-incorporated small or medium enterprises (SMEs) as cash contributors.
Organizations or project teams not in good standing with CAAIN (e.g., those with overdue reporting or outstanding payments owed to CAAIN).
Companies or organizations seeking funding for routine business activities rather than incremental, innovation-focused projects.
Entities intending to use CAAIN funds to match financial contributions provided directly by any government entity or for in-kind contributions.

Eligible expenses

Salaries and wages for employees directly involved in project activities.
Costs for subcontractors and consultants performing project-related work.
Purchase of materials and supplies used specifically for the project.
Acquisition or modification of equipment required for approved project activities, including shipping and installation costs.
Travel expenses directly related to project execution, following national or organizational travel policies.
Other direct, project-specific expenses such as eligible intellectual property costs.
Reasonable indirect costs (overhead) associated with project coordination and management, within specified thresholds.

Eligible geographic areas

Organizations with operations in Canada

Eligibility criteria of the CAAIN — 2024 Smart Farm Network Competition program

Technical merit and scientific soundness of the proposed innovation, including the existence of a functional prototype (TRL 5 or above) and potential for commercialization or broader adoption in Canada.
Breadth and expertise of the network members, ensuring representation across the agricultural product value chain and the ability to evaluate technologies from multiple perspectives.
Economic and social benefits to Canadian agtech and agriculture, emphasizing value creation for the sector beyond immediate network members and fostering connections across regions.
Provision of training and experiential learning opportunities, such as student placements or upskilling of workers.
Reasonableness and justification of the proposed budget in accordance with CAAIN costing principles.

How to apply to the CAAIN — 2024 Smart Farm Network Competition program

Request Project Application Form (PAF)

Email garson.law@caain.ca to request a copy of the Project Application Form.

Prepare and Submit Project Application Form (PAF)

Outline the eligibility requirements and criteria in the PAF.
Clearly align the proposal with CAAIN’s priorities for this competition.
Submit the completed PAF by January 12, 2024.

Full Project Proposal (FPP) Submission (if invited)

If invited, prepare the FPP including detailed project description, financial workbook, and all necessary documentation.
Complete sections such as project objectives, design and work plan, investment details, and risk mitigation strategies.
Submit the FPP draft by February 16, 2024.
Finalize and submit the FPP by March 15, 2024.

Revisions to FPP

If required, provide additional information or address feedback given on the FPP.
Submit revisions by April 26, 2024.

Await Final Decision

Final funding decisions by CAAIN’s Board of Directors will be made in June 2024.
Receive notification about the final decision and next steps if approved.

Additional information

All CAAIN funding recipients are required to provide a non-confidential summary of the project for public disclosure, including project value and expected outcomes.
CAAIN will continue to monitor project performance for up to five years after project completion to evaluate long-term impacts.
Reporting obligations include submitting quarterly and final reports detailing project progress, achievements, and deliverables.
Recipients must participate in CAAIN promotional activities, including media events, as requested, and coordinate public announcements with CAAIN.