How much funding can be received?

Funds up to 40% of admissible expenses, capped at $500000 per project.

What is the deadline to apply?

The deadline to apply is 2025-06-16T23:59:59Z.

Who are the financial supporters of the CAAIN — Livestock Innovation Program 2025?

CAAIN — Livestock Innovation Program 2025 is funded by Canadian Agri-Food Automation and Intelligence Network (CAAIN)

What are CAAIN — Livestock Innovation Program 2025's eligibility criterias?

Project teams must include organizations with operations in Canada. Projects must have cash contributions from at least two Canadian-incorporated SMEs (499 or fewer employees). All project partners must be in good standing with CAAIN.

CAAIN — Livestock Innovation Program 2025

Last Update: June 9, 2025

Canada

Funding for innovation in Canadian livestock technology and research

CAAIN — Livestock Innovation Program 2025 at a glance

Eligible Funding

Max. $500,000
Up to 40% of project cost

Timeline

Open Date : May 6, 2025
Closing date : June 16, 2025

Financing Type

Grant and Funding

Eligible Industries

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

Grant Providers

Canadian Agri-Food Automation and Intelligence Network (CAAIN)

Status

Open

Overview of the CAAIN — Livestock Innovation Program 2025 program

The CAAIN — Livestock Innovation Program 2025 offers up to $500,000 in funding per project to support collaborative research and innovation in sustainable livestock production. Eligible activities include developing automation, robotics, data-based decision-making tools, and the implementation of smart farm platforms to improve productivity, profitability, and environmental outcomes in Canada's livestock sector.

Financing terms and conditions

Maximum financial contribution of $500,000 CAD per project.
CAAIN will reimburse up to 40% of total eligible supported expenses.
All funded initiatives are subject to a 4% administration fee.
CAAIN matches only unencumbered cash contributions from non-governmental sources for eligible costs.

Eligible projects & activities

Research and innovation projects that advance automation and robotics in livestock production.
Development of digital tools and decision-making systems to optimize and improve livestock operations.
Implementation or expansion of smart farm platforms or networks to support technology adoption and validation in livestock agriculture.
Projects focused on sustainable livestock production for Canadian agricultural opportunities, including areas such as indigenous-focused livestock, feed efficiency, animal health and welfare, or energy efficiency.
Validation, demonstration, and knowledge sharing of emerging technologies for improved productivity, profitability, and environmental performance in livestock sectors.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 495,000

Developing AI-based swine welfare assessment tools for producers

$ 495,000

Developing an indigenous-focused digital herd management platform

$ 499,000

Piloting a smart farm network for precision beef cattle management

$ 498,000

Rolling out automated poultry barn climate optimization technology

$ 480,000

Implementing smart robotic feeding systems in dairy operations

$ 495,000

Developing a cloud-based automated livestock health monitoring system

Eligibility criteria of the CAAIN — Livestock Innovation Program 2025 program

The applicant organization must have operations in Canada.
The project team must include at least two small or medium enterprises (SMEs) incorporated in Canada, each with 499 or fewer employees.
The proposed project must align with CAAIN's objectives and support innovation in sustainable livestock production using digital technologies or smart farms.
All project partners must be in good standing with CAAIN, with no overdue reports or outstanding payments.
The initiative must represent a new project or a significant expansion that would not be undertaken without CAAIN support, and the project team must commit to sharing project results and participating in knowledge transfer activities.

Who is eligible?

Canadian small and medium enterprises (SMEs) involved in livestock production innovations
Academic and research institutions with Canadian operations focused on livestock agriculture
Not-for-profit organizations active in the Canadian agri-food sector
For-profit companies (including SMEs and multinational enterprises) operating in Canada with interests in livestock, agtech, or smart farm networks

Who is not eligible

Companies without operations in Canada.
Organizations unable to provide cash contributions from at least two Canadian-incorporated SMEs (499 or fewer employees).
Entities that are not in good standing with CAAIN (e.g., overdue reporting or outstanding payments).
Businesses whose main activities are not relevant to digital technology or smart farm solutions for sustainable livestock production in Canada.
International entities seeking direct funding (only Canadian entities can receive CAAIN funds).

Eligible expenses

Salaries and wages for personnel directly involved in approved project activities.
Consultant and subcontractor fees for external expertise and services directly tied to the project.
Cost of materials and supplies specifically used for the development or execution of the project.
Purchase or modification of equipment necessary for completing project activities, including costs for bringing equipment into working order and shipping.
Direct travel and outreach costs that are specifically related to approved project activities.
Other direct costs that are clearly linked to and necessary for carrying out the approved project, including intellectual property costs related to project results.

Eligible geographic areas

Organizations with operations in Canada.

Eligibility criteria of the CAAIN — Livestock Innovation Program 2025 program

Technical merit: Scientific soundness and advancement of the innovation concept, demonstrating progress of at least one Technology Readiness Level (TRL), with an emphasis on TRL 3-7 and potential for commercialization or wider adoption in Canada.
Breadth and knowledge of the team or network: Inclusion of members with broad, relevant expertise across the agricultural product value chain and capability to evaluate technologies from various perspectives.
Economic and social benefits to Canadian agtech and agriculture: Potential to generate future value for Canada's agriculture sector, with clear articulation of how the project will encourage adoption of innovation.
Training opportunities: Clear outline of experiential learning opportunities, including co-op, work-integrated learning, or upskilling programs for students or industry workers.
Reasonableness of budget: Costs must be justified, reasonable for the industry, and adhere to CAAIN’s costing principles.

How to apply to the CAAIN — Livestock Innovation Program 2025 program

Step 1: Project Application Form (PAF)Download and complete the CAAIN 2025 Livestock Innovation Program Project Application Form.
Ensure the proposal aligns with CAAIN’s priorities and funding competition objectives.
Describe the problem to be addressed, specific objectives, and expected outcomes.
Review eligibility criteria to ensure compliance.
Submit the completed PAF as instructed on the CAAIN website, ensuring that the submission is complete and on time. Applications will be accepted continuously while the competition is open.
Step 2: Invitation to Submit Expression of Interest (EOI)Wait for notification from CAAIN regarding the status of your initial application (PAF).
If invited, prepare and submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) with more detail about the proposed activities, including rationale, background, and development plans.
Provide preliminary information on project partners and budget.
Submit the EOI according to the instructions provided in the invitation email.
Step 3: Invitation to Submit Full Project Proposal (FPP)Await CAAIN’s review of the EOI and potential invitation to submit a Full Project Proposal (FPP).
If invited, draft a comprehensive FPP covering project summary, objectives, team members, deliverables, detailed work plan, financial details, risk mitigation, management strategies, and supporting documentation.
Incorporate critical feedback received from the EOI review, if provided.
Submit the FPP, including all required financial and supporting documentation, by the specified deadline.
Step 4: Review and Final DecisionCAAIN staff and advisory committees will conduct a thorough review of the FPP.
Await notification of the final funding decision from CAAIN, communicated by email.
Step 5: Execute Project Funding Agreement (PFA)If successful, enter into a Project Funding Agreement with CAAIN outlining funding terms, roles, and reporting requirements.
Ensure the PFA is fully executed before commencing project activities and incurring expenses for reimbursement.
Step 6: Project Implementation and ReportingCarry out project activities according to the approved work plan and reporting schedule.
Submit quarterly and final reports as well as financial documentation to CAAIN as stipulated in the PFA.
Participate in knowledge-sharing activities and data submission as required.

Additional information

Successful applicants must sign a Project Funding Agreement with stipulated roles, responsibilities, and compliance obligations before starting activities.
Project teams are required to submit regular progress, financial, and performance reports as outlined in the Project Funding Agreement.
Applicants should be prepared for CAAIN to monitor project outcomes for up to five years post-completion to assess long-term impacts.
Recipients may be asked to participate in CAAIN’s public promotional activities and supply non-confidential project summaries for public disclosure.

Contact Canadian Agri-Food Automation and Intelligence Network (CAAIN)

info@caain.ca

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