Innovation Scouting Fund

• Be a small or medium-sized enterprise incorporated in Canada (fewer than 499 FTEs and less than $50M in annual revenue).
• Be a member of the Canadian Food Innovation Network (CFIN) (membership is free) and be associated with a Canadian company.
• Propose a solution aligned with at least one of the priority areas of the call for proposals (innovation for vegetable-based products, manufacturing and quality, etc.).
• Present an innovation that has reached at least a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 3 (and targets R&D/demonstration activities within the TRL 3 to 7 range).
• Submit a proposal that complies with Canadian consumption requirements (and, if it is a new ingredient, consider an application for approval from Health Canada).

Who is eligible?

• Canadian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) developing foodtech solutions
• Canadian food and beverage companies (manufacturers, distributors, foodservice, or grocery retail firms) acting as call sponsors/piloting partners
• Academic researchers at Canadian institutions (food innovation-related)

Who is not eligible

• Other publicly funded not-for-profit organizations.
• Federal Crown corporations.
• Government departments or agencies.
• Applicants proposing intellectual property (IP) that is licensed or internationally owned (non-Canadian IP is not eligible).

Eligible expenses

• Direct labour costs (gross wages/salaries) for employees performing approved project activities.
• Subcontractor and consultant fees for external third-party work/services required for approved project activities.
• Direct materials used up in completing approved project activities (raw materials), net of sales taxes and supplier discounts.
• Equipment costs purchased for approved project activities, including purchase, modification/modernization, getting equipment into working order, and shipping.
• Other direct costs that are directly attributable to approved project activities (including shipping).
• Travel and outreach costs directly related to approved project activities (claimed in line with CFIN’s Travel Policy).
• Legal costs associated with obtaining patents or other statutory protection for project intellectual property.

Eligible geographic areas

• Canada (Canadian SMEs incorporated in Canada; academic researchers at Canadian institutions).

• Alignment with the call priorities and whether the solution solves a real, measurable problem (25 points).
• Applicant’s human and financial stability/capacity to execute the pilot without risk of failure (25 points).
• Clarity and completeness of the pilot requirements, including operational conditions, technical prerequisites, budget, and workplan (25 points).
• Distinctiveness of the solution versus existing options and legal viability for the Canadian food sector (25 points).

• Step 1: Join CFIN (membership access)
  • Register for a free Canadian Food Innovation Network (CFIN) membership at www.cfin-rcia.ca.
  • Ensure your access is activated for the CFIN Application Portal (the portal is available to CFIN members only).
• Step 2: Access the Application Portal (online submission)
  • Go to the CFIN Application Portal: https://cfin-rcia.smartsimple.ca/.
  • On your first login, complete your Organization Profile (address and contact information are recommended).
  • Use the eligibility pre-screening questions in the portal to confirm the project meets the basic eligibility requirements.
• Step 3: Start the application (funding opportunity selection)
  • In the portal, select FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES to find currently open programs and begin an Innovation Scouting Fund application.
  • Save drafts as needed (drafts remain under MY APPLICATIONS until submitted).
  • If needed, change the system language using the Globe icon (top right).
• Step 4: Complete the online form (project details and narrative responses)
  • Fill in the required sections, including the project overview (title, short description, start/end dates, primary contact) and applicant information (business details and requested organizational information).
  • Answer the application questions in the portal (maximum 500 words per question) as required.
• Step 5: Build the Budget and Workplan (project planning tables)
  • Complete the Budget table with sufficient detail (e.g., direct labour job titles and hours; consultants’ scope of work).
  • Complete Forecast by Quarter (government fiscal year: April 1–March 31), based on invoice dates for expenses incurred.
  • Complete Sources of Funds to break down contributions and identify any other government sources used.
  • Complete the Work Plan with activities, milestones, and timelines (a minimum of 4 activities is required).
  • Save frequently; if you change the budget after completing other tables, clear and re-complete the dependent tables as required by the portal.
• Step 6: Upload required supporting documents (application files)
  • Upload supporting documentation as applicable (e.g., letters of support, quotes, presentations, photos, or other relevant documents).
  • Attach financial documentation: the last two years of external accountant-prepared financial statements for the Lead Applicant (or, if unable to provide this, provide the minimum alternative documentation described in the guide, such as a term sheet or bank statement and a letter indicating you have the balance of your request).
• Step 7: Submit the application (terms and deadline)
  • Review for completeness (incomplete submissions are not accepted).
  • Agree to the Terms & Conditions in the portal (the primary contact must accept to submit).
  • Submit the application through the CFIN Application Portal by the intake close date/time (intakes close at 11:59 PM local time; for this call: March 26, 2026, midnight local time).
  • Keep the email confirmation of receipt you will receive after submitting (includes a copy of the application).
• Step 8: Respond to CFIN follow-ups (48-hour update window)
  • If CFIN requests missing information or updates after compliance review, provide the requested changes within 48 hours (otherwise the application will be withdrawn).
• Step 9: Post-decision contracting (Master Project Agreement)
  • If approved, enter into a Master Project Agreement with CFIN within 30 business days from the date you receive it (the funding decision is finalized upon signing).
• Step 10: Get help (program support contact)
  • Email questions to: innovation@cfin-rcia.ca.
  • Consult the program FAQs: https://www.cfin-rcia.ca/programs/program-faqs.

• Projects must be completed within one year of approval, and the earliest possible start date is 60 days after the intake close date.
• CFIN aims to communicate funding results within 60 business days of the intake deadline.
• Approved projects have quarterly reporting requirements as well as a final report at project completion.
• Any intellectual property deriving from CFIN projects must remain in Canada for a minimum of five years after the end of the project funding agreement (unless otherwise approved in writing by the Minister on a case-by-case basis).