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CFIN NextGen Food Innovators
Supports student-led food innovation ventures
Last Update: March 4, 2026
Funding available
$ 5,000 - $ 10,000
Timeline
- Open Date : October 1, 2024
- Closing date : November 30, 2024
Location
Canada
Overview
The NextGen Food Innovators Program offers up to $10,000 to students for developing and validating innovative technologies in the food processing, food service, or grocery retail sectors. Projects must focus on the post-farmgate food supply chain and involve novel intellectual property with commercial potential.
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Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase performance through digital transformation
- Develop a new product or service
- Conduct research and development activities
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 10,000 $
- Minimum amount : 5,000 $
- Up to 100% of project cost
Timeline
- Open Date : October 1, 2024
- Closing date : November 30, 2024
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Accommodation and food services
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Youth (<40)
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Development and validation of IP-driven food innovation solutions.
- Pre-competitive development of new ventures in food processing, food service, or grocery retail.
- Research and development at TRL 1 to 7.
Documents Needed
- Letter of endorsement or recommendation.
- Supporting documentation such as quotes or other relevant information.
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Full-time students at Canadian accredited colleges or universities.
- Applicants in diploma, advanced diploma, degree, graduate certificate, master’s, or PhD programs.
Who is not eligible
- Students at private institutions.
- Students at junior colleges.
- Students in CEGEP programs.
Eligible expenses
- Service providers, such as subcontractors or consultants.
- Direct materials used for the approved project.
- Equipment purchased for project activities.
- Other direct costs related to approved project activities.
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Salaries or wages paid to staff or owners.
- Tuition, courses, and other educational costs.
- Travel and hospitality costs.
- In-kind costs.
- Selling and marketing expenses for the products or services being developed.
Eligible geographic areas
- Atlantic: Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Newfoundland & Labrador.
- Quebec.
- Ontario.
- Prairies: Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut.
- West: British Columbia and Yukon.
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are reviewed by CFIN staff and external reviewers.
- Top-scoring video submissions are invited to a full application.
- Funding decisions are based on scores and available funds.
- Approved applicants must enter into a Master Project Agreement.
- Unsuccessful applicants receive a summary of the evaluation and recommendations.
Additional information
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.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the CFIN NextGen Food Innovators Program
Here are answers to the most common questions about the CFIN NextGen Food Innovators. 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 NextGen Food Innovators?
The NextGen Food Innovators Program offers up to $10,000 to students for developing and validating innovative technologies in the food processing, food service, or grocery retail sectors. Projects must focus on the post-farmgate food supply chain and involve novel intellectual property with commercial potential.
How much funding can be received?
CFIN NextGen Food Innovators Funds up to 100% of admissible expenses, capped at $10,000 per project.
What is the deadline to apply?
The application deadline for this grant program was November 30, 2024.
Who is eligible for the CFIN NextGen Food Innovators program?
To be eligible for the CFIN NextGen Food Innovators program, you must:
Full-time student at a Canadian accredited institution
Project in food processing, food service, or grocery retail
Letter of endorsement or recommendation required
What expenses are eligible under CFIN NextGen Food Innovators?
Development and validation of IP-driven food innovation solutions.
Pre-competitive development of new ventures in food processing, food service, or grocery retail.
Research and development at TRL 1 to 7.
Who can I contact for more information about the CFIN NextGen Food Innovators?
You can contact Canadian Food Innovation Network (CFIN) by email at innovation@cfin-rcia.ca.
Where is the CFIN NextGen Food Innovators available?
The CFIN NextGen Food Innovators program is available across Canada.