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Source verified July 23, 2026
CAAIN — 2026 CAAIN Open Competition
Funding for collaborative agri-food innovation projects
Funding available
$ 3,000,000
Deadline
October 9, 2026
Opened March 23, 2026
Location
Canada
Overview
2026 CAAIN Open Competition supports collaborative agri-food innovation projects in automation, data tools, and smart farm networks. Funding can support research, technology validation, demonstration, and workforce training activities.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase performance through digital transformation
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Increase production or service capacity
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 3,000,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- All legal structures
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- 499 employees maximum
Audience
- All groups
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Development of automation and robotics for agri-food production and primary processing
- Creation of data-based decision-making tools for production improvement
- Implementation of smart farm platforms and smart farm networks
- Validation, demonstration, and scaling of agri-food technologies
- Training activities for a technologically proficient agricultural workforce
Documents Needed
- Project Application Form (PAF)
- Full Project Proposal (FPP), if invited
- Full financial workbook
- Supporting documentation for the FPP
- Non-confidential project summary
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Canadian academic and research institutions
- Canadian not-for-profit organizations
- Canadian for-profit entities, including SMEs and MNEs
- Smart farms and smart farm networks in Canada
Who is not eligible
- Organizations without operations in Canada
- Non-Canadian entities that would receive CAAIN funds directly
- Projects without cash contributions from at least two Canadian SMEs
Eligible expenses
- Direct labour costs for project work
- Subcontractors and consultant fees
- Materials and supplies used in the project
- Equipment purchase, modification, or shipping
- Travel and outreach costs directly related to the project
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Interest and finance charges
- In-kind contributions
- Taxes such as income tax, GST, and VAT
- Advertising, selling, and marketing costs
- Entertainment, donations, and recruiting fees
Eligible geographic areas
- Canada
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 and experiential learning opportunities
- Reasonableness and justification of the budget
How to apply
- Step 1: Register as a CAAIN community member
- Create a free online community account.
- Access the Project Application Form and Program Guide.
- Step 2: Submit the Project Application Form
- Complete the PAF with project details and objectives.
- Submit it by the applicable deadline during the rolling intake period.
- Wait for email confirmation of receipt.
- Step 3: Receive an invitation to the Full Project Proposal stage
- Only selected applicants are invited to continue.
- Invited applicants receive the FPP form and review comments.
- Step 4: Submit the Full Project Proposal
- Prepare the detailed proposal and financial workbook.
- Include all supporting documentation requested.
- Submit within the required FPP timeframe.
Processing and Agreement
- PAFs are reviewed first, and only exceptional projects are invited to the FPP stage.
- FPP submissions are reviewed confidentially by CAAIN staff and experts.
- Final funding decisions are made by CAAIN’s Board of Directors.
- Successful applicants must sign a Project Funding Agreement before work starts.
- Reporting and reimbursement continue through project execution and after completion.
Additional information
- A Project Funding Agreement must be signed before work can begin.
- Applications are reviewed in two stages: PAF and invited FPP.
- Recipients must share project results and reporting data with CAAIN.
- Funding decisions are final and not appealable.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the CAAIN — 2026 CAAIN Open Competition Program
What is the CAAIN — 2026 CAAIN Open Competition?
2026 CAAIN Open Competition supports collaborative agri-food innovation projects in automation, data tools, and smart farm networks. Funding can support research, technology validation, demonstration, and workforce training activities.
How much funding can be received?
CAAIN — 2026 CAAIN Open Competition Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses, capped at $3,000,000 per project.
What is the deadline to apply?
The application deadline for this grant program is October 9, 2026. Applicants must submit their complete application before this date to be considered for funding.
Who is eligible for the CAAIN — 2026 CAAIN Open Competition program?
To be eligible for the CAAIN — 2026 CAAIN Open Competition program, you must:
Canadian-based project team
Two Canadian SME cash contributors
Project must be incremental
What expenses are eligible under CAAIN — 2026 CAAIN Open Competition?
Development of automation and robotics for agri-food production and primary processing
Creation of data-based decision-making tools for production improvement
Implementation of smart farm platforms and smart farm networks
Validation, demonstration, and scaling of agri-food technologies
Training activities for a technologically proficient agricultural workforce
Who can I contact for more information about the CAAIN — 2026 CAAIN Open Competition?
You can contact Canadian Agri-Food Automation and Intelligence Network (CAAIN) by email at info@caain.ca.
Where is the CAAIN — 2026 CAAIN Open Competition available?
The CAAIN — 2026 CAAIN Open Competition program is available across Canada.