CFIN NextGen Food Innovators Canada

CFIN NextGen Food Innovators

Canada
Funds student ventures in food technology innovation development
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single_labels|preview
grant_single_labels|projects
grant_single_labels|admissibility
grant_single_labels|criteria
grant_single_labels|register
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
grant_single_labels|contact

grant_single_labels|summary

grant_single|eligibleFinancing
  • grant_single|fromMinToMax
  • grant_single|projectCostPercent
grant_single|deadlines
  • grant_single|openingDateOctober 01, 2024
  • grant_single|closingDateNovember 30, 2024
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
  • Accommodation and food services
grant_single|grantors
  • Canadian Food Innovation Network (CFIN)
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|open

grant_single_labels|preview

The NextGen Food Innovators Program offers up to $10,000 to students for developing and validating innovative technologies in the food processing, service, or grocery retail sectors. Projects must focus on post-farmgate food production supply chain and involve developing novel intellectual property with commercial applications.

grant_single_labels|projects

The NextGen Food Innovators Program is designed to support students who are working on projects involving the development and validation of innovations within the food sector. Eligible projects must focus on pre-competitive technology development related to food processing, food service, or grocery retail, with a primary emphasis on intellectual property and novel science or processes.
  • Projects addressing challenges in the food processing, food service, or grocery retail sectors.
  • Development of innovative, IP-driven solutions within the food ecosystem.
  • Research and validation activities falling within Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 1 to 7.
  • Projects that aim to establish a clear, commercially viable outcome.
  • Projects that contribute to the further development and validation of novel intellectual property specific to the food industry.

grant_single_labels|admissibility

Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific requirements related to the applicant's profile and proposed activities.
  • The applicant must be an individual enrolled in a full-time program at a Canadian accredited college or university.
  • Students at private institutions, junior colleges, and CEGEP programs are not eligible to apply.
  • Applicants must provide a letter of endorsement or recommendation from their institution’s entrepreneurship office, a professor, or a mentor.
  • Projects must address an area of the post-farmgate food production supply chain such as food processing, distribution, food service, or grocery retail.
  • Projects must involve the development and validation of novel intellectual property with a defined commercial application goal or outcome.
  • Projects must conduct research and development at Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 1 to 7. Projects including TRL 8 and 9 components are only eligible if they also include TRL 1 to 7.
  • Projects must be completed by December 31, 2025.
  • Applicants must register for a free CFIN membership.

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply

The NextGen Food Innovators Program is specifically designed for students currently enrolled in full-time programs at Canadian accredited colleges or universities who aspire to become entrepreneurs, focusing on food processing, food service, or grocery retail innovations.
  • Applicants must be individual students enrolled in a full-time diploma, advanced diploma, degree, graduate certificate, master's, or PhD program at a Canadian accredited college or university.
  • Students must propose a project that is IP-driven and involves the pre-competitive development of technology into a new venture, focusing on food processing, food service, or grocery retail sectors.
  • Applicants need a letter of endorsement or recommendation from their institution’s entrepreneurship office, or a professor or mentor.
  • Eligible project costs should be between $5,000 to $10,000, with a maximum funding level from CFIN covering 100% of total eligible project costs, not exceeding $10,000.
  • Projects must aim to further develop and validate novel intellectual property with a defined commercial application goal.
  • Research and development must be conducted at Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 1 to 7, with TRL 8 and 9 considered only as parts of projects including TRL 1 to 7 components.

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply

This program restricts certain types of educational enrollments from applying for the grant, with a specific focus on the institutional status of the applicants. These restrictions are intended to ensure funds are allocated to targeted educational pathways and institutions.
  • Students enrolled in private institutions.
  • Applicants from junior colleges.
  • Participants in CEGEP programs.

grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses

Eligible expenses for the grant include specific costs necessary to carry out the approved project activities.
  • Service Providers: Costs for subcontractors or consultants for services related to the project.
  • Direct Materials: Costs for materials explicitly used for the project activities.
  • Equipment: Capital costs of equipment purchased for project activities.
  • Other Direct Costs: Direct costs related to the project activities, not covered under other categories.

grant_eligibility_criteria|zone

This funding opportunity is available across Canada, catering to students in various Canadian regions aiming to promote food innovation development. Eligible locations are defined based on the program's five regions to support nationwide participation.
  • Atlantic: Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Newfoundland & Labrador
  • Quebec
  • Ontario
  • Prairies: Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut
  • West: British Columbia, Yukon

grant_single_labels|criteria

The evaluation and selection of projects for the NextGen Food Innovators Program are based on specific criteria with allocated point scores to ensure alignment with the program’s objectives.
  • The applicant has accurately described a business challenge or opportunity faced by CFIN’s membership (food processing, food service, distribution, or retail). - 10 points
  • The applicant has provided a compelling value proposition to CFIN’s membership. - 10 points
  • The applicant has outlined how the venture will generate revenue. - 10 points
  • The product or service proposed has a clearly identified science or technology component. - 10 points
  • The applicant has outlined a development plan for the commercial venture. - 10 points
  • What is the vision for your venture? - 5 points
  • What is your innovation, and what is the value proposition for CFIN members (food processing, food service, distribution, and grocery retail)? - 15 points
  • Please summarize any actions you have taken to date to validate your product-market fit. - 10 points
  • Describe your current plans for revenue generation and how your venture will make money. - 10 points
  • Describe the team working on the venture, including any partners you intend to engage as part of the project. - 20 points
  • Describe the technical innovation underlying your product or service. - 20 points
  • What do you want funding for and how does it fit into your development plan for this innovation and your venture? - 20 points

grant_single_labels|register

  • Step 1: Register as a CFIN Member
  • Visit the CFIN website at https://www.cfin-rcia.ca/.
  • Sign up for a free membership.
  • Step 2: Access Application Portal
  • Navigate to the CFIN Application Portal at https://cfin-rcia.smartsimple.ca/.
  • Log in using your CFIN membership credentials.
  • Step 3: Complete Organization Profile
  • Upon first login, complete your Organization Profile with necessary contact details.
  • Step 4: Create a New Application
  • Select "FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES" to view open programs.
  • Start a new application for the NextGen Food Innovators Program.
  • Step 5: Phase 1 - Video Submission
  • Prepare a video up to 7 minutes long addressing the outlined criteria.
  • Upload the video to a sharing service and submit the video link in the portal.
  • Step 6: Phase 2 - Written Application (for selected applicants)
  • Complete detailed questions in the application template.
  • Describe the project vision, innovation, market fit, team, and technical innovation.
  • Attach supporting documents such as budget, work plan, and letters of recommendation.
  • Step 7: Submit Application
  • Ensure all information is accurate and complete on the portal.
  • Submit the application before the deadline.
  • Step 8: Confirmation of Submission
  • Receive a confirmation email with your submission details.

grant_single_labels|otherInfo

Here are additional relevant details for this grant:
  • The program will cover 100% of eligible project costs up to a maximum of $10,000.
  • Applications will be reviewed based on a merit-based approach, and not all applications fulfilling basic requirements will be guaranteed approval.
  • Successful applicants will be required to enter into a Master Project Agreement with CFIN within 30 business days from receipt of the agreement.
  • Projects must maintain financial records for at least 7 years after completion for auditing and reporting purposes.
  • Intellectual Property generated through the project should remain in Canada for a minimum of five years after the project ends, unless specific written approval is granted otherwise.

grant_single_labels|contact

innovation@cfin-rcia.ca

Apply to this program