How much funding can be received?

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|terms_and_conditions

The CFIN NextGen Food Innovators Program provides full funding for eligible project costs to support the development of innovative solutions in the food sector by students enrolled in Canadian accredited institutions.

Full funding for total eligible project costs up to $10,000 for each approved project.
Funding covers 100% of eligible costs, without the need for any cost-sharing by recipients.
Reimbursement-based funding approach, with applicants required to justify their funding requests and report expenses.
Funding is provided for projects that qualify under the eligible cost categories such as service providers, direct materials, and equipment.
Eligible costs must be directly attributable to achieving the project objectives and must be incurred after the signing of the Master Project Agreement.

grant_single_labels|projects

This grant supports activities that accelerate the development and validation of novel IP-driven solutions in the food processing, food service, or grocery retail sectors in Canada. Eligible activities must focus on leveraging intellectual property and meet specific project and development goals.

Development and validation of innovative food processing technologies.
Creating cutting-edge solutions for food service efficiency and safety.
Innovative approaches in grocery retail to enhance customer experience and operational efficiency.
Research and development projects at Technology Readiness Levels 1 to 7.
Implementing new knowledge, science, or processes in post-farmgate food production supply chain areas.

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 program offers grants to students situated in specific Canadian regions. Each region has one award available to help form a new venture.

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

Empowering Student Entrepreneurs in the Food Sector

The NextGen Food Innovators Program, a forward-thinking initiative by the Canadian Food Innovation Network (CFIN), offers full funding for innovative student projects aimed at transforming the food processing, service, or grocery retail industries. With awards available across Canada's regions, this program fosters technology-driven solutions and entrepreneurship among students in accredited post-secondary institutions.

In-Depth Exploration of the NextGen Food Innovators Program

The NextGen Food Innovators Program is an integral component of the Canadian Food Innovation Network (CFIN), designed to push the boundaries of innovation within the food sector. As a non-profit organization, CFIN is focused on fostering innovation and collaboration across the dynamic Canadian food and beverage landscape. The program seeks to bridge the gap between academic research and commercial application, supporting students with a passion for addressing challenges in food processing, food service, and grocery retail sectors.

This program recognizes the role of technology and cutting-edge solutions in revolutionizing the food industry. By emphasizing the development of IP-driven projects, it ensures that the solutions are not only innovative but also legally protectable, providing a competitive edge to young entrepreneurs. The focus on students enrolled in accredited Canadian colleges and universities underscores a commitment to nurturing homegrown talent and keeping innovations within Canadian borders.

The NextGen Food Innovators Program awards up to $10,000 per project, fully covering eligible costs related to research and development. With one award available per region—Atlantic, Quebec, Ontario, Prairies, and the West—this program not only bolsters regional innovation but also drives a sense of local competition and growth. The program is structured to support projects between $5,000 to $10,000, thus ensuring significant backing while encouraging cost-effective innovation strategies.

In addition to financial support, the program leverages the YODL™ platform, CFIN’s interactive online community, to offer students access to daily content, mentorship from Regional Innovation Directors, and networking opportunities throughout the Canadian food and beverage ecosystem. This holistic approach ensures that students are not only financially equipped but also strategically supported to propel their innovations from concept to market.

This initiative aligns with CFIN's larger goal of enhancing smart product and process development, promoting food ecosystem sustainability, and nurturing agile and safe supply chains. By investing in the talents and ideas of student entrepreneurs, the program seeks to integrate academic foresight with industry needs, fostering solutions that address sustainability, safety, and efficiency within the Canadian food sector. Thus, the program is both a catalyst and a conduit for transformative change within the industry.

The program's selection process is exacting, aiming to identify and support projects with significant potential impact. This involves a two-step application process, beginning with a video submission designed to capture the essence and promise of the project. Successful video applications are followed by a detailed written application, where evaluators assess aspects such as the project’s vision, technical innovation, and commercial viability.

Ultimately, the NextGen Food Innovators Program stands as a testament to Canada’s commitment to fostering innovation within its food industry. By highlighting the entrepreneurial spirit and providing practical support to young innovators, CFIN is not only investing in tomorrow’s leaders but also ensuring a sustainable and prosperous future for the Canadian food sector.