How much funding can be received?

Funds up to 60% of admissible expenses, capped at $75000 per project.

What is the deadline to apply?

The deadline to apply is 2025-08-30T00:00:00Z.

Who are the financial supporters of the CFIN — Innovation Scouting Fund?

CFIN — Innovation Scouting Fund is funded by Canadian Food Innovation Network (CFIN)

What are CFIN — Innovation Scouting Fund's eligibility criterias?

Small or medium-sized enterprise incorporated in Canada (under 499 FTEs and $50M in annual sales). Company must have at least one year of incorporation. Proposing a technology or solution aligning with call priorities and at least TRL 3.

CFIN — Innovation Scouting Fund

Last Update: July 21, 2025

Canada

Funding support for foodtech innovation pilot collaborations in Canada

CFIN — Innovation Scouting Fund at a glance

Eligible Funding

From $20,000 to $75,000
Up to 60% of project cost

Timeline

Open Date : July 15, 2025
Closing date : August 30, 2025

Financing Type

Partnering and Collaboration

Grant and Funding

Eligible Industries

Manufacturing
Wholesale trade
Retail trade
Professional, scientific and technical services
Educational services
Accommodation and food services

Grant Providers

Canadian Food Innovation Network (CFIN)

Status

Open

Overview of the CFIN — Innovation Scouting Fund program

The Innovation Scouting Fund offers up to $75,000 in matching funding to support pilot projects that address business challenges in the Canadian food sector. This program is designed for Canadian SMEs and academic researchers to develop, test, and validate innovative foodtech solutions in partnership with leading industry players.

Financing terms and conditions

Funding covers up to 60% of total eligible project costs.
Total eligible project costs must range between $20,000 and $105,000.
The maximum financial support from CFIN is $75,000 per project.

Eligible projects & activities

Collaborative pilot projects addressing real-world business challenges in the Canadian food sector, involving technology validation and testing with leading industry partners.
Research and development initiatives in food technology that demonstrate proof of concept, validate solutions in practical settings, or pilot innovative processes and products.
Implementation of novel solutions that align with call-specific priority areas, advancing the technology readiness of Canadian intellectual property in the food and beverage industry.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 74,000

Testing blockchain-driven traceability system for seafood supply chains

$ 73,000

Pilot trial of AI-powered food waste monitoring in commercial kitchens

$ 72,000

Develop and test a rapid allergen detection kit for bakeries

$ 71,500

Pilot development of upcycled spent grain protein in snack production

$ 73,000

Prototype high-pressure processing for extended shelf life of juices

$ 71,500

Implementation of smart cold storage sensors for perishable food logistics

Eligibility criteria of the CFIN — Innovation Scouting Fund program

The applicant must be a small or medium-sized enterprise incorporated in Canada (fewer than 499 full-time employees and an annual revenue under $50 million) or a researcher from a Canadian educational institution.
The proposed project must target one of the priority areas described in the call for proposals.
The project must involve research or development at a technology readiness level (TRL) between 3 and 7.
The proposed innovation or intellectual property must be Canadian (no licensing or ownership held abroad).
The project must be achievable within the year following its approval.

Who is eligible?

Canadian Small or Medium Enterprises (SMEs) incorporated in Canada
Academic researchers affiliated with Canadian institutions

Who is not eligible

Publicly funded not-for-profit organizations.
Federal Crown corporations.
Government departments or agencies.
Companies that do not own the intellectual property proposed for the project (licensed or internationally owned IP is not eligible).

Eligible expenses

Salaries and wages for direct technical labour on approved project activities (excluding majority owners/stakeholders).
Fees for subcontractors and consultants performing work for approved project activities.
Costs of materials used exclusively for approved project activities, including raw materials consumed in the project.
Purchase, modification, or modernization of equipment required for the project, including costs to get equipment operational and shipping expenses.
Direct project-related costs that do not fall into the above categories, such as eligible shipping costs and travel expenses directly tied to project activities (in accordance with CFIN Travel Policy).

Eligible geographic areas

Organizations incorporated anywhere in Canada.

Eligibility criteria of the CFIN — Innovation Scouting Fund program

Relevance and responsiveness of the technology or solution to the call priorities (15 points).
Potential impact that could be realized by the solution (20 points).
Resources available to the applicant to complete the project (15 points).
Quality of the plan and approach for a pilot or demonstration of the solution (25 points).
Competitive landscape analysis and the novelty of the solution within the sector and Canada (20 points).
Budget detail and appropriateness (5 points).

How to apply to the CFIN — Innovation Scouting Fund program

Confirm eligibility and project alignment

Review the Innovation Scouting Fund guide and eligibility criteria
Verify that your organization is a Canadian SME or academic researcher
Ensure your project aligns with current call priorities and falls within the specified Technology Readiness Levels (TRL 3-7)

Become a CFIN member

Register for a free CFIN membership via www.cfin-rcia.ca
Activate access to the application portal once membership is confirmed

Access portal and review call details

Access the CFIN Application Portal at https://cfin-rcia.smartsimple.ca/
Fill out the Organization Profile with all required details
Download and review the Call Details document for the current intake

Prepare and complete application

Complete all sections of the application form, including project overview, applicant information, responses to assessment questions, budget, and work plan
Attach required supporting documents such as financial statements
Ensure responses are within the specified word limits and that data is accurate

Submit the application

Submit your completed application and supporting documents via the CFIN Application Portal before the intake deadline
Agree to the terms and conditions as part of submission
Receive confirmation of receipt by email

Await review and results

Wait for CFIN to conduct project review and due diligence
Respond to any requests from CFIN for additional information or corrections within 48 hours if contacted
Monitor email for updates on the assessment process and outcome

Accept funding and launch project

If approved, receive notification of funding decision within approximately 60 business days
Sign the Master Project Agreement within 30 business days of receipt
Begin project activities as outlined and submit required reporting

Additional information

Applicants must register for a free membership with the Canadian Food Innovation Network (CFIN) to access the application portal and submit proposals.
Successful applicants will be required to maintain accurate project accounts for at least seven years following project completion.
Project activities and their outcomes may be publicized by CFIN to share knowledge and results within Canada's food innovation ecosystem.
Financial statements for the last two years must be submitted with the application to demonstrate financial capacity.

Contact Canadian Food Innovation Network (CFIN)

innovation@cfin-rcia.ca

National Research Council Canada (NRC)

Financial support for technology innovations