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CFIN — Innovation Scouting Fund
Funding support for foodtech innovation pilot collaborations in Canada
Last Update: March 3, 2026
Funding available
$ 20,000 - $ 75,000
Timeline
- Open Date : February 9, 2026
Location
Canada
Overview
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.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase performance through digital transformation
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Develop a new product or service
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 75,000 $
- Minimum amount : 20,000 $
- Up to 60% of project cost
Timeline
- Open Date : February 9, 2026
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Manufacturing
- Wholesale trade
- Retail trade
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Educational services
- Accommodation and food services
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- $ 50,000,000 maximum revenue
Organisation size
- 499 employees maximum
Audience
- Canadians
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- 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.
Eligibility
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.
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.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the CFIN — Innovation Scouting Fund Program
Here are answers to the most common questions about the CFIN — Innovation Scouting Fund. This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.
What is the CFIN — Innovation Scouting Fund?
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.
How much funding can be received?
CFIN — Innovation Scouting Fund Funds up to 60% of admissible expenses, capped at $75,000 per project.
Who is eligible for the CFIN — Innovation Scouting Fund program?
To be eligible for the CFIN — Innovation Scouting Fund program, you must:
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.
What expenses are eligible under CFIN — Innovation Scouting Fund?
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.
Who can I contact for more information about the CFIN — Innovation Scouting Fund?
You can contact Canadian Food Innovation Network (CFIN) by email at innovation@cfin-rcia.ca.
Where is the CFIN — Innovation Scouting Fund available?
The CFIN — Innovation Scouting Fund program is available across Canada.
Is the CFIN — Innovation Scouting Fund a grant, loan, or tax credit?
CFIN — Innovation Scouting Fund is a Partnering and Collaboration