How much funding can be received?

Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses, capped at $2000000 per project.

What is the deadline to apply?

The program is accepting continuous intake

Who are the financial supporters of the CFIN Food Innovation Challenge?

CFIN Food Innovation Challenge is funded by Canadian Food Innovation Network (CFIN)

What are CFIN Food Innovation Challenge's eligibility criterias?

Eligibility criteria not mentioned

CFIN Food Innovation Challenge

Last Update: March 27, 2025

Canada

Challenge to improve Canada's food sector

CFIN Food Innovation Challenge at a glance

Eligible Funding

From 20,000 to 2,000,000
Up to 50% of project cost

Timeline

Open Date : February 13, 2023
Closing date : October 29, 2023

Financing Type

Grant and Funding

Eligible Industries

Manufacturing

Grant Providers

Canadian Food Innovation Network (CFIN)

Status

Closed

Overview of the CFIN Food Innovation Challenge program

Get funding for a collaborative industry-led project that will enhance the food innovation community and generate a significant economic impact.

Eligible projects & activities

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 500,000

Advancement of green packaging solutions for perishable products

$ 850,000

Development of IoT-based digital supply chain solutions

$ 1,200,000

Implementation of blockchain for food safety and traceability

$ 250,000

Creation of a food waste reduction program through community engagement

$ 400,000

Development of a robotic system for automated food packaging

$ 600,000

Research on sustainable cultured protein alternatives

Eligibility criteria of the CFIN Food Innovation Challenge program

The eligibility criteria for the Canadian Food Innovation Network (CFIN) grant vary according to each unique stream. Here are the detailed eligibility criteria for both the Innovation Booster stream and the Challenge stream:

CFIN Innovation Booster stream:
Businesses need to have less than 500 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees.
Applicants should have fewer than $50 million in taxed revenues from the company’s previous fiscal year.
Applicants should be incorporated for more than one year or be a limited liability partnership (LLP). Two years of review engagement or audited financials are required as part of the application process.
Successful applicants must be CFIN members (membership is free).
CFIN Challenge stream:
Applicants should be focused on, industry-led, collaborative initiatives.
Should consist of an applicant willing to take the lead and collaborative partners that are also incorporated in Canada; all parties of the collaboration should be members of CFIN.
At least one SME (fewer than 500 employees) with lower than $50 million gross revenues annually.
At least two independent private sector companies.
If a larger number of partners are included, a diversity of organizations, companies and SMEs, universities, colleges, research centers, etc. is encouraged.
Research and development should be conducted at Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) one to seven.

Who is eligible?

Yes, there are eligible types of companies for this grant, applicable under different streams based on specific criteria. Below is a summary of eligible companies followed by a detailed bullet point list.

Businesses must have less than 500 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees.
Must have fewer than $50 million in taxed revenues from the previous fiscal year.
Should be incorporated for more than one year or be a limited liability partnership (LLP).
Two years of review engagement or audited financials are required.
Must be members of the Canadian Food Innovation Network (CFIN).
Initiatives should be industry-led and collaborative.
Should consist of one lead applicant and collaborative partners incorporated in Canada.
All parties in the collaboration should be CFIN members.
At least one SME with fewer than 500 employees and lower than $50 million gross revenue annually.
Involvement of at least two independent private sector companies.
Diverse partnerships including organizations, companies, SMEs, universities, colleges, and research centers are encouraged.
Research and development should be conducted at Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) one to seven.

Eligible expenses

The Canadian Food Innovation Network (CFIN) grant has eligible expenses for both its Innovation Booster stream and Challenge stream. These expenses include costs related to direct labor, materials, equipment, and specific activities aligned with the program's objectives.

Direct labor
Materials
Equipment
Industrial research for the discovery of knowledge aimed at developing new technology-driven products, processes, and services at early stage TRLs
Advancement and development of new tech into product-specific applications at middle or late stage TRLs
Projects may cover a broad range of TRLs through activities from research to near commercialization

Eligibility criteria of the CFIN Food Innovation Challenge program

Here are the evaluation and selection criteria for the CFIN Innovation Booster stream and Challenge stream grants:

Alignment with eligible activities in the specified research areas (Smart Product and Process Development, Food System Sustainability, Agile and Safe Supply Chains).
Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) one to seven.
Company size: fewer than 500 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees for the Innovation Booster stream; collaborative initiatives with at least one SME for the Challenge stream.
Taxed revenues: less than $50 million.
Incorporation status: Incorporated for over one year (Innovation Booster) or collaborative and led by an organization incorporated in Canada (Challenge).
CFIN membership status.
Previous financial stability: Two years of review engagement or audited financials.
Project cost and funding request compliance: up to 50% of eligible expenses within specified financial limits.

How to apply to the CFIN Food Innovation Challenge program

Confirm Eligibility

Ensure your business has fewer than 500 full-time equivalent employees.
Check that your business's taxed revenues are under $50 million in the previous fiscal year.
Your business should be incorporated for more than one year or be a limited liability partnership (LLP).
Prepare two years of review engagement or audited financial statements.
Confirm that you are a CFIN member (membership is free).

Define Project Scope

Identify eligible activities focusing on TRLs one to seven.
Ensure the project falls into one of the three research areas: Smart Product and Process Development, Food System Sustainability, or Agile and Safe Supply Chains.

Document Preparation

Prepare detailed project proposal including objectives, methodology, and expected outcomes.
Gather financial documents and any other supporting documentation.

Application Submission

Submit the application through the CFIN portal or contact a CFIN team member for current intake details.
Pay attention to any applicable deadlines and ensure all forms are duly filled out.

Review and Approval