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Source verified June 15, 2026
CAAIN — 2026 CAAIN Open Competition
Funding for collaborative agri-food innovation projects
Funding available
$ 3,000,000
Deadline
August 7, 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.
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 or by phone at none.
Where is the CAAIN — 2026 CAAIN Open Competition available?
The CAAIN — 2026 CAAIN Open Competition program is available across Canada.
Is the CAAIN — 2026 CAAIN Open Competition a grant, loan, or tax credit?
CAAIN — 2026 CAAIN Open Competition is a Partnering and Collaboration