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Source verified July 31, 2026
Grains Innovation Fund
Supports grain market growth and innovation
Latest source updateLast Update: July 31, 2026Latest change: A detailed Program Overview is now visible for the 2027 Grains Innovation Fund, adding eligibility, cost, application, and review information.View change
Latest source update
Last Update: July 31, 2026
Latest change: A detailed Program Overview is now visible for the 2027 Grains Innovation Fund, adding eligibility, cost, application, and review information.
Grains Innovation Fund details expanded
A detailed 2027 Grains Innovation Fund Program Overview is now visible alongside the main fund information. It adds the application intake window of Tuesday July 21 to Friday November 6, 2026, the 60% reimbursement rate up to $75,000 per project, and the full application and review steps. The overview also spells out eligible and ineligible costs, including marketing, promotional material, advertising, consultant fees, product development, and project-specific capital equipment, plus exclusions for land, buildings, vehicles, salaries, travel, and grain purchases. It further expands the priority project themes and confirms that projects must use at least 40 metric tonnes per year of Ontario barley, corn, oats, soybeans, wheat, or crop residues, with pilot projects potentially waived under the stated conditions.
Funding available
$ 75,000
Deadline
Open continuously
Location
Ontario, Canada
Who can apply
Companies developing or scaling innovative products or processes that use Ontario grains.
See full eligibility
Overview
The Grains Innovation Fund supports companies developing new and reformulated products and processes for Ontario barley, corn, oats, soybeans, wheat, and associated crop residues. It offers up to $75,000 per project to advance product development, commercialization, and value-added processing.
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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 program or service
- Enhance an existing program
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 75,000 $
- Up to 60% of project cost
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Ontario
Legal structures
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- All groups
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Development and commercialization of new and reformulated products and processes.
- Innovative food processing projects that have the potential to utilize large volumes of commodity grains and oilseeds.
- Projects focused on next-generation bio-economy grains-based solutions such as renewable diesel, sustainable aviation fuel, and bio-based materials like compostable plastics.
- Projects for the feed industry that maximize the potential for Ontario grains in animal diets.
- Projects that support new, scalable, value-added processing opportunities in Ontario, or projects with significant market reach that promote Ontario grain- and oilseed-based products in a positive manner that can demonstrably increase customer awareness and demand.
Documents Needed
- Application Form
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Companies developing or scaling innovative products or processes that use Ontario grains.
Eligible expenses
- Marketing activities related to the promotion of the product, promotional material, advertising fees, and consultant fees associated with marketing or advertising initiatives.
- Product development, including formulation testing, focus groups, and sensory panels.
- Eligible capital expenditures are limited to equipment required specifically for the proposed project.
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Capital expenditures on land, buildings or vehicles.
- Salary costs.
- Travel costs, including flights and accommodations.
- The purchase of grains and oilseeds.
- Equipment intended primarily for existing commercial operations.
Selection criteria
- Direct impact on Grain Farmers of Ontario farmer-members and increased returns to farmers (premiums and/or price).
- Increase in the use of Ontario grains and potential for demand influence.
- Tell the positive story of originating Ontario grains and oilseeds.
- Grain utilization, including innovation uses greater than 40 metric tonnes per year of barley, corn, oats, soybeans or wheat crops or crop residue, and smaller pilot projects that demonstrate the potential to significantly increase future utilization of Ontario grains or grain residue.
- Degree of innovation, including the potential to creatively expand opportunities for Ontario grains through new products, processes, or marketing tactics.
How to apply
- Contact Grain Farmers of Ontario at marketdev@gfo.ca to discuss whether the project fits the program criteria.
- Download and complete the Application Form.
- Submit the Application Form by email to Rachel Zimic, Market Engagement Specialist, at rzimic@gfo.ca.
Processing and Agreement
- Applicants will receive an email confirming receipt of their submission.
- Applications will be reviewed for completeness and eligibility, and additional information or clarification may be requested.
- Eligible applications will then be evaluated by the Market Development & Sustainability Committee, comprised of farmer member directors and delegates.
- All applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application in January 2027.
- Successful applicants will be required to enter into a formal agreement with Grain Farmers of Ontario, outlining the project terms, reporting requirements, and reimbursement schedule.
Additional information
- All applications will be held in strict confidence and will only be known to Grain Farmers of Ontario.
- Grain Farmers of Ontario retains the right to report on the general activities of this funding program to Grain Farmers of Ontario representatives (Delegates), in which case the information to be reported will be aggregated to protect the privacy of individual companies.
- Grain Farmers of Ontario reserves the right to approve more than one project proposal submitted by an applicant.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Grains Innovation Fund Program
What is the Grains Innovation Fund?
The Grains Innovation Fund supports companies developing new and reformulated products and processes for Ontario barley, corn, oats, soybeans, wheat, and associated crop residues. It offers up to $75,000 per project to advance product development, commercialization, and value-added processing.
How much funding can be received?
Grains Innovation Fund Funds up to 60% of admissible expenses, capped at $75,000 per project.
Who is eligible for the Grains Innovation Fund program?
To be eligible for the Grains Innovation Fund program, you must:
Companies developing or scaling innovative products or processes that use Ontario grains.
What expenses are eligible under Grains Innovation Fund?
Development and commercialization of new and reformulated products and processes.
Innovative food processing projects that have the potential to utilize large volumes of commodity grains and oilseeds.
Projects focused on next-generation bio-economy grains-based solutions such as renewable diesel, sustainable aviation fuel, and bio-based materials like compostable plastics.
Projects for the feed industry that maximize the potential for Ontario grains in animal diets.
Projects that support new, scalable, value-added processing opportunities in Ontario, or projects with significant market reach that promote Ontario grain- and oilseed-based products in a positive manner that can demonstrably increase customer awareness and demand.
Who can I contact for more information about the Grains Innovation Fund?
You can contact Grain Farmers of Ontario (GFO) by email at marketdev@gfo.ca or by phone at 226 820-6641.
Where is the Grains Innovation Fund available?
The Grains Innovation Fund program is available the province of Ontario.
Is the Grains Innovation Fund a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Grains Innovation Fund is a Grant and Funding