CFIN Innovation Booster
Canada
Funding to advance and commercialize food innovation
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|maxCount
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grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|openingDateOctober 09, 2023
- grant_single|closingDateAugust 23, 2024
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Grant and Funding
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- grant_single|allIndustries
grant_single|grantors
- Canadian Food Innovation Network (CFIN)
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grant_card_status|closed
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Receive between $20,000 and $200,00 in funding to cover up to 50% of eligible project costs to address food innovation challenges or technical hurdles that have created a barrier for achieving your commercialization goals.
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This grant is available to companies incorporated within Canada, aligning with the support for domestic food innovation efforts. Eligible companies must operate within Canada to qualify for the funding.
- SMEs incorporated in Canada.
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$90,000
Implementation of AI and big data to predict and optimize inventory needs for urban food banks
$100,000
Implementing smart packaging solutions to enhance food safety
$75,000
Development of smart packaging solutions to extend the shelf life of fresh produce using IoT sensors
$100,000
Developing AI and sensors to reduce food waste and improve efficiency
grant_single_labels|admissibility
Eligibility for the Innovation Booster grant is determined by specific requirements related to the applicant's profile and the nature of the project.
- The applicant must be a small or medium-sized enterprise (SME) incorporated in Canada with under 499 full-time employees and less than $50 million in annual sales.
- Not-for-profit organizations that facilitate and fund research and development, primarily funded by private-sector organizations, may apply.
- Under special circumstances, Canadian researchers at post-secondary institutions can also be eligible.
- Applicants currently leading an active CFIN project (with a signed Master Project Agreement and ongoing activities) cannot apply.
- Publicly funded not-for-profit organizations, federal Crown corporations, government departments, or agencies are not eligible to receive CFIN funding.
- Projects must address an aspect of the post-farmgate food production supply chain and identify a specific technical hurdle with a clear methodology.
- All projects must conduct research and development at Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 1 to 7, although TRL 8 and 9 components can be included if also involving TRL 1 to 7 activities.
- Projects should be completed within one year (12 months).
- Applicants must demonstrate financial capacity to undertake the project, providing 2 years of financials such as audited financial statements, review engagement, or notice to reader. Alternatively, a term sheet, bank statement, or letter demonstrating financial position is required if standard financial documentation is unavailable.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
This grant supports innovative projects in the food sector and evaluates applications based on several criteria to ensure alignment with the goals of supporting innovation and overcoming technical hurdles.
- Overview of the business model and value proposition: 5 points
- Financial capability to undertake the project: 5 points
- Background and rationale for the project, identifying the innovation or technical hurdle: 10 points
- Clear research, development, and demonstration objectives: 5 points
- Methodology and plan to achieve objectives, addressing major technical challenges: 15 points
- Innovative aspects and differentiation from other solutions, and potential IP creation: 20 points
- Alignment with CFIN's Innovation priorities and impact on CFIN's membership: 10 points
- Direct benefits to the firm, such as job creation, revenue, partnerships: 5 points
- Benefits to the broader food sector, quantified and credible: 10 points
- Detailed project work plan with milestones and timelines: 10 points
- Comprehensive budget with required costs aligning with funding policies: 5 points
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
This grant has restrictions on certain types of organizations that cannot apply based on their current project involvement and organizational structure. These restrictions ensure alignment with the grant's focus on specific innovation initiatives.
- Applicants currently leading an active CFIN project with an ongoing Master Project Agreement.
- Federal Crown corporations and government departments or agencies.
- Other publicly funded not-for-profit organizations.
- Organizations primarily focusing on agricultural activities and benefiting farmers.
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
Eligible projects for the Innovation Booster grant focus on addressing technical hurdles in the food sector, leveraging innovation to enhance product development, sustainability, and supply chain efficiency. These initiatives aim to bridge commercialization barriers and drive sector-wide advancements.
- Enhancing health, nutrition, and wellness benefits in food products through innovative research.
- Applying new robotics technologies to improve food safety and worker safety.
- Utilizing AI, sensors, machine learning, and big data to optimize food production processes.
- Advancing emerging food sciences, such as cultured proteins.
- Developing solutions for food waste reduction and higher value recovery.
- Implementing circular and upcycling processes in food production.
- Creating green and smart packaging solutions to reduce environmental impact.
- Improving logistics, food safety, and food security through supply chain innovations.
- Integrating IoT and digital applications in food supply chains for better traceability and efficiency.
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
The Innovation Booster grant covers specific expenses directly related to industrial research or technology demonstration activities.
- Direct Labour costs related to project activities.
- Subcontractors and Consultants costs for external work or services.
- Direct Materials costs incurred for project-related materials.
- Equipment costs specifically purchased for the project.
- Other Direct Costs specifically incurred for approved project activities.
- Indirect Costs, calculated as a percentage of Direct Labour costs.
grant_single_labels|criteria
The evaluation and selection of projects for the Innovation Booster grant are based on specific criteria with allocated point scores to ensure alignment with the grant’s objectives. Each application is assessed based on the criteria outlined below:
- Has the applicant provided an overview of their business, and is the Firm's model and value proposition outlined and well communicated? - 5 points
- Has the applicant clearly outlined their financial capability to undertake the project? - 5 points
- Background and the rationale for completing the project, including a description of the specific innovation or technical hurdle that the applicant is encountering - 10 points
- Objectives of the proposed research, development and demonstration activities are clearly articulated - 5 points
- Design and methodology to be deployed by the applicant to achieve the project objectives, including key activities, expenditures, resources, and timeline. Major technical hurdles should be identified - 15 points
- Innovative aspects of the project, including how it is different from other solutions, the current TRL level of the technology/technologies, and an outline of any IP to be created should the proposed work be successful - 20 points
- The project aligns with one or more of CFIN's Innovation priorities, with a clear impact to CFIN's membership, from after the farm-gate to the consumer's plate - 10 points
- Direct benefits to the firm, such as new jobs, revenues, IP, partnerships, customers, etc. are identified and quantified - 5 points
- Benefits to the wider food sector are identified, quantified, and credible - 10 points
- Detailed project work plan with appropriate activities, milestones, timelines for the project that has been outlined throughout the submission - 10 points
- Comprehensive budget with detailed line items that are demonstrated as required for the proposed project activities and align with CFIN eligible cost policy - 5 points
grant_single_labels|register
Here are the steps to submit an application for the CFIN Innovation Booster grant:
- Step 1: Register as a CFIN Member
- Visit CFIN website to register for a free membership.
- Step 2: Review Program Requirements
- Read the program guide and FAQs available on the CFIN website to ensure your project aligns with eligibility criteria and CFIN priorities.
- Step 3: Prepare Your Application
- Identify the innovation challenge or technical hurdle your project addresses.
- Outline the project goals, methodologies, and required resources.
- Prepare a comprehensive budget breakdown and identify eligible project costs.
- Gather and prepare additional supplementary documents like financials, letters of support, and consultant quotes.
- Step 4: Submit Your Application
- Access the CFIN Application Portal to submit your proposal.
- Complete the online form including eligibility pre-screening questions.
- Upload your completed application and supplementary documents.
- Step 5: Confirmation of Submission
- Receive a confirmation email with a copy of your submitted application.
- Keep the confirmation email for your records and future reference.
- Step 6: Follow Up
- Monitor communications from CFIN regarding the status of your application.
- Be prepared to provide additional information if requested by CFIN during their review process.
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
Here are additional relevant details for potential applicants of the Innovation Booster grant:
- Applicants must demonstrate their financial capacity by submitting 2 years of financials (audited, review engagement, or notice to reader) or equivalent financial documentation.
- CFIN programs are reimbursement-based, requiring applicants to incur costs upfront and then claim reimbursement, with claims processed quarterly, potentially taking up to 16 weeks.
- Indirect costs are automatically calculated at 55% on eligible direct labour but cannot exceed 15% of total project costs.
- Projects that incorporate Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 8 and 9 will only be considered if they also include activities at TRL 1 to 7.
- Winning projects are selected based on a scoring rubric and available funds during each intake cycle.
Apply to this program
Empowering Food Innovation for SMEs and Researchers
The Innovation Booster Grant supports SMEs and researchers in tackling food innovation challenges, offering financial assistance to overcome technical hurdles in commercialization. This initiative aims to enhance the capabilities of businesses and researchers in the food sector, bridging the gap between innovation and market readiness.
Detailed Insight into the Innovation Booster Grant
The Innovation Booster Grant serves as a strategic support mechanism for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and researchers in Canada, particularly those focused on the food innovation sector. Recognizing the unique challenges that SMEs face, such as limited access to specialized resources and expertise, this grant provides the necessary financial backing to propel projects from the research and development phase to market readiness. The grant is structured to cover between $20,000 and $200,000 in eligible project costs, with CFIN offering a maximum of 50% of these costs as matching funds.
Eligible projects are required to demonstrate clear innovation challenges or technical hurdles in the food sector that have prevented them from reaching their commercialization goals. The grant encourages collaboration with industry partners, as projects involving Canadian researchers are strongly advised to partner with SMEs to leverage industry expertise and resources.
The grant focuses on three key areas of innovation: Smart Product and Process Development, which includes advancements in health, nutrition, robotics, AI, and emerging sciences; Food Ecosystem Sustainability, highlighting projects aimed at reducing food waste and improving resource efficiency; and Agile and Safe Supply Chains, which involve innovations in logistics, food safety, and supply chain analytics.
To qualify, projects must align with CFIN’s broader innovation priorities and demonstrate potential commercial applications. They must operate within Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 1 to 7, and while aspects of TRL 8 and 9 can be included, they should complement a broader project covering TRLs 1 to 7. Projects should anticipate completion within a 12-month timeframe, ensuring timely and impactful results.
The financial aspect of the grant requires applicants to show their financial capacity, submitting two years of financials or alternative documentation if unable to meet this requirement. As a reimbursement-based grant, organizations must initially cover project costs, with CFIN reimbursing up to 50% of eligible expenses quarterly, potentially taking up to 16 weeks for reimbursement processing.
Eligible project costs covered under the grant include direct labor, subcontractors and consultants, direct materials, equipment, and other project-specific direct costs. Additionally, a 55% overhead cost is automatically added to eligible direct labor costs. Applicants are expected to disclose any potential conflicts of interest with service providers to ensure transparency and fair market practices.
This grant is an opportunity for Canadian SMEs and researchers to overcome innovation barriers, facilitating growth and development in the food sector. By focusing on strategic collaboration, the Innovation Booster aims to catalyze significant advancements in food technology, sustainability, and supply chain efficiency, driving both immediate and long-term benefits for participants and the broader food industry in Canada.
