Grow Ontario Market Initiative (GOM)
The Grow Ontario Market Initiative offers funding for primary producers, processors, and industry organizations to expand domestic and export market opportunities through marketing analysis, new product development, and promotional activities.
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|maxCount
- grant_single|projectCostPercent
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|openingDateMay 19, 2023
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Manufacturing
grant_single|grantors
- Government of Ontario
- Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (SCAP)
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|open
grant_single_labels|preview
The Grow Ontario Market Initiative supports primary producers, processors, and industry organizations in expanding their business through market analysis and planning, new product development, and marketing activities. Eligible activities include regulatory review, ingredient sourcing, brand development, and trade missions. The program offers funding of up to 50% of eligible costs, with a maximum of $60,000 for individual producers and processors, and $125,000 for industry organizations.
grant_single_labels|admissibility
To be eligible to participate in the Grow Ontario Market Initiative, applicants must meet specific criteria related to their business type, compliance with laws, and documentation requirements.
- Be a Primary Producer, Processor, Industry Organization, or involved in Aquaculture or Fish and Seafood Processing but only for international marketing activities.
- Provide a Canadian Revenue Agency Business Number (CRA BN) or Social Insurance Number (SIN) if applicable.
- Submit a completed Ministry-approved Application Form.
- Have a valid and up-to-date Premises Identification Number (PID) for the project location.
- If applying as a Primary Producer, have a valid Farm Business Registration Number (FBRN) or equivalent exemption or identification.
- If applying as a beekeeper, have a valid certificate of registration issued under the Bees Act.
- Engage in activities defined as eligible under section 4.1.1 of the guidelines.
- Be in compliance with environmental, labour, tax, and other legal requirements at the time of application.
- Ensure that no officer, director or employee of the applicant is a current or former federal public office holder or public servant, or if applicable, is in compliance with relevant conflict of interest and post-employment policies.
- Agree that intellectual property rights arising from the project belong to the applicant.
- Agree to allow Canada and Ontario to publish information about the applicant and the project if found eligible.
- Agree to be bound by the terms, conditions, and requirements set out in the guidelines and approval letter.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
The Grow Ontario Market Initiative has specific eligibility criteria for companies seeking funding. Eligible companies include primary producers, processors, certain aquaculture operations, fish and seafood processors, and industry organizations in the agri-food sector.
- Primary Producers
- Processors
- Aquaculture (for international marketing activities)
- Fish and Seafood Processors (for international marketing activities)
- Industry Organizations
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
There are certain types of companies that are not eligible for the Grow Ontario Market Initiative grant.
- Agricultural landowners and/or renters
- Employers that provide housing to international agricultural workers
- Chemical fertilizer manufacturers
- Commissaries
- Food/agricultural commodity/bioprocessor waste companies
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
Yes, there are eligible expenses for this grant.
- Third-party service fees for creative development services
- Product development services
- Regulatory services
- Consumer and marketing analysis
- Advertisement placement costs or media buys
- One-time tradeshow entrance and exhibiting fees
- Shipping costs of marketing materials and product samples
- Rental of facilities and equipment for new product development
- Transportation, meal, and hotel costs in accordance with Appendix A for Recipient’s staff and third-party service providers
grant_eligibility_criteria|project_activity
The Grow Ontario Market Initiative provides eligible funding for activities to develop new or expanded domestic and international markets.
- Market analysis and planning
- Third-party advisory services to complete market analysis, life cycle analysis, and marketing plans
- Investigate regulatory or certification standards needed to access new markets
- New product development
- Third-party advisory services for ingredient, material, or packaging sourcing
- Formulation development, scale-up trials, and shelf-life determination
- Testing or analysis to verify the development process
- Labeling development and design for marketing purposes
- Marketing products
- Third-party services for implementing business or marketing plans
- Brand development and consumer studies
- Product demonstrations and new promotional material development
- New product marketing campaigns for domestic and international markets
- Sales, marketing, and promotional activities or events
- Specially produced product samples for market research, tradeshows, or specific events
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
The grant is accessible throughout Ontario. It supports businesses in both rural and urban regions within the province.
- Ontario
grant_single_labels|criteria
Yes, there are evaluation and selection criteria for this grant. Applications will be evaluated based on the extent to which new markets are accessed, the rationale supporting the market opportunity, and the anticipated business impacts.
- New markets are accessed, or existing markets are expanded as a result of the Project
- The rationale to support the market opportunity, Project need, and benefits are clearly and comprehensively demonstrated
- Relevant business impacts of the Project are anticipated and have been quantified, such as:
- Job creation or retention
- Increased sales and revenue
- Increased profitability
- Resources, experience, and skills necessary to oversee and carry out the Project are identified
- Project work plans are clearly defined and aligned to the Project goals
- For Industry Organizations only, Project activities will support broader sector growth
grant_single_labels|register
- Step 1: Download and complete the application form (PDF) using Adobe Acrobat Reader.
- Step 2: Make sure your Premises Identification Number (PID) is valid and up to date.
- Step 3: Ensure that you have a valid Farm Business Registration Number (FBRN) or other required documentation depending on your status (e.g., beekeeper).
- Step 4: Provide written quotes from third parties detailing the proposed Eligible Costs for the Project.
- Step 5: Submit the completed application form and required documentation by email to SustainableCAP3@ontario.ca.
- Step 6: Await notification of your application's approval or rejection from the Ministry.
- Step 7: If approved, follow the instructions in the Approval Letter to proceed with the Project.
- Step 8: Submit claims for Eligible Costs via the Ministry’s Claim Portal, including all required invoices and proofs of payment.
- Step 9: Maintain compliance with all terms and conditions as outlined in the Guidelines and the Approval Letter.
- Step 10: Submit all final reports and documentation by the deadlines specified in the Approval Letter.
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
The Grow Ontario Market Initiative provides significant support for primary producers, processors, and industry organizations to expand their market opportunities. Here are additional details to consider:
- Applicants can submit a maximum of two applications/projects at any given time.
- Projects are recommended to be less than two years long.
- Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis starting from May 19, 2023, subject to funding availability.
- Processor and Primary Producer Recipients can receive 50% of eligible costs up to $60,000 per project.
- Industry Organization Recipients can receive 50% of eligible costs up to $125,000 per project.
- Eligible activities include market analysis, new product development, and marketing activities.
- Ineligible activities include domestic marketing of aquaculture and fish/seafood processing.
- Applicants must provide written quotes from third parties detailing proposed eligible costs.
- Recipients must retain any assets funded by the initiative for at least two years after the Approval Letter date.
grant_single_labels|contact
SustainableCAP3@ontario.ca
Apply to this program
Grow Ontario Market Initiative Grant Overview
The Grow Ontario Market Initiative provides financial support to primary producers, processors, and industry organizations to expand their domestic or export market opportunities through marketing analysis, new product development, and marketing activities. Applicants can receive up to 50% of eligible costs, with funding limits of $60,000 for individual projects and $125,000 for industry organizations.
Detailed Guide to the Grow Ontario Market Initiative
The Grow Ontario Market Initiative is a strategic funding program launched by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA). It aims to support primary producers, processors, and industry organizations in Ontario's agri-food sector, enhancing their capacity to explore and capitalize on market opportunities both domestically and internationally. This guide will delve into the specifics of the initiative, including eligibility criteria, application process, eligible activities, funding details, and additional terms and conditions.
Purpose of the Initiative
The primary objective of the Grow Ontario Market Initiative is to assist agricultural businesses and organizations in Ontario to grow their market presence. The initiative seeks to:
- Support market analysis and planning efforts.
- Facilitate new product development.
- Enable effective marketing activities to capture new and expanded markets.
By focusing on these key areas, the initiative aims to boost the competitiveness and marketability of Ontario's agri-food sector, contributing to economic growth and sustainability.Funding Details
The Grow Ontario Market Initiative offers substantial financial support to eligible recipients:
- Primary Producers and Processors can receive up to 50% of eligible costs, with a maximum of $60,000 per project.
- Industry Organizations are eligible for up to 50% of eligible costs, with a maximum of $125,000 per project.
The total funding pool for the initiative is $12,000,000, allocated through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP).Eligibility Criteria
To be considered eligible for the Grow Ontario Market Initiative, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Be a primary producer, processor, doing aquaculture (for international marketing only), a fish or seafood processor (for international marketing only), or an industry organization.
- Provide a Canadian Revenue Agency Business Number (CRA BN) or Social Insurance Number (SIN) if eligible to receive initiative payments.
- Submit a completed Ministry-approved application form along with written quotes for proposed eligible costs.
- Have a valid Premises Identification Number (PID) for the business location where the project will take place.
- If applying as a primary producer, applicants must have a valid Farm Business Registration Number (FBRN) or an exemption.
- Be in compliance with environmental, labor, and tax-related requirements of law.
- Not be a current or former federal public office holder or federal public servant unless compliant with relevant conflict of interest laws.
- Agree to the terms, conditions, and requirements set forth by the initiative.
Applicants can submit up to two applications/projects under the initiative at any given time, with a recommendation that projects be less than two years in duration.Eligible Activities
Eligible activities under the initiative focus on new or expanded domestic and international market developments, including:
- Market Analysis and Planning: Activities such as third-party advisory services for market analysis, life cycle analysis, and marketing plans for new or expanded markets.
- New Product Development: Services for regulatory review, ingredient sourcing, formulation development, scale-up trials, shelf-life determination, testing or analysis, packaging and labelling development for compliance and marketing purposes.
- Marketing Activities: Services for implementing business or marketing plans, brand development, consumer studies, product demonstrations, development of promotional materials, marketing campaigns, and participation in trade missions or shows.
Ineligible activities include domestic marketing and product development of aquaculture, costs incurred before project approval dates, local branding initiatives that could lead to competition with other provinces or territories, and opening new businesses or facilities.Application Process
To apply for funding, applicants must:
- Download and complete the application form using Adobe Acrobat Reader.
- Submit the completed form via email to SustainableCAP3@ontario.ca.
- Provide written quotes from third-party service providers detailing the proposed eligible costs.
- Primary producers applying as beekeepers must also submit a valid certificate of registration issued under the Bees Act.
The Ministry will review applications and notify applicants of their approval status via email, providing details such as project description, maximum funding approved, and deadlines for claim and report submissions.Submitting Claims
Recipients must submit claims for eligible costs through the Ministry’s Claim Portal, accompanied by true copies of paid invoices and proofs of payment. Claims must be submitted by the stipulated deadlines in the approval letter. Acceptable proofs of payment include processed cheque images, bank statements, or credit card receipts clearly identifying payment details.
Review and Notification
The Ministry evaluates claims to verify the eligibility of costs. Any ineligible costs will not be reimbursed, and recipients will be notified of the reasons. Approved claims will result in initiative payments being issued to the recipients.
Additional Terms and Conditions
Recipients must adhere to several additional terms and conditions including:
- Compliance with all relevant laws and requirements.
- Fair and transparent procurement processes for obtaining goods and services.
- Retention of assets funded by the initiative for at least two years post-approval.
- Maintenance of appropriate insurance coverage throughout the project duration.
- Indemnification of the Ministry and compliance with record-keeping and audit requirements.
- Adhering to communications protocols and providing notice of ownership or control changes.
Failure to comply with these conditions may result in the loss of eligibility and repayment of received funds.Conclusion
The Grow Ontario Market Initiative provides vital financial support to Ontario’s agri-food sector by aiding market expansion efforts and fostering growth through effective marketing and product development strategies. By understanding the guidelines, eligibility criteria, and application process, potential applicants can leverage this funding opportunity to enhance their market reach and competitive edge.
