Grains Innovation Fund

• Reimbursement of up to 60% of eligible project costs.
• Maximum financial support of $75,000 per project.
• Funds are provided on a reimbursement basis upon submission of verifiable documentation of expenditures.

• The applicant must propose a project that utilizes a minimum of 40 metric tonnes per year of Ontario barley, corn, oat, soybean, or wheat crops or crop residues (pilot projects with smaller volumes may be considered if scalability can be demonstrated).
• The project must meet at least one of the following: open new markets for Ontario grains or residues, expand use and demand for Ontario grains or residues, promote Ontario grains or residues, support the development of novel value-added products, or increase the value of Ontario grains or residues.
• The company must be able to demonstrate the project’s potential benefits to Ontario grain farmers.
• Each project is subject to review and approval by Grain Farmers of Ontario based on merits and benefits to the Ontario grain industry.

Who is eligible?

• Companies involved in the development and commercialization of new or reformulated grain-based products or processes
• Organizations utilizing Ontario barley, corn, oat, soybean, or wheat crops or crop residues in their projects
• Food processing companies aiming to use large volumes of Ontario grains or oilseeds
• Businesses engaged in market development or value-added processing of Ontario grains

Eligible expenses

• Marketing activities related to product promotion (e.g., website design, social media).
• Promotional materials (e.g., brochures, handouts, pop-up signs, banners).
• Advertising fees (e.g., ad space in print, online, or TV media).
• Consultant fees associated with marketing or advertising initiatives.
• Product development costs (e.g., formulation testing, focus groups, sensory panels).
• Capital expenditures limited to the purchase of new equipment solely for project use.

Eligible geographic areas

• Ontario

• Direct impact on Grain Farmers of Ontario farmer-members, including increased returns and greater use of Ontario grains.
• Potential to influence demand and positively promote Ontario grains and oilseeds.
• Extent of grain utilization, with preference for projects using over 40 metric tonnes per year or demonstrating strong growth potential in utilization.
• Degree of innovation, reflecting creative expansion of opportunities for Ontario grains through new products, processes, or marketing approaches.

• Applications will be reviewed and selected by the Market Development and Sustainability Committee, which consists of farmer delegates.
• Applicants will be notified of their approval status and must enter into a formal contract outlining reporting requirements and reimbursement schedules.
• Receipt of application submission will be confirmed by email after sending.
• All applications and project information will be kept in strict confidence by the Grain Farmers of Ontario, with only aggregated program data shared to organization representatives.