Closed
Source verified July 9, 2026
Ontario Agri-food Research Initiative (OAFRIP)
Funding for Ontario agri-food innovation projects
Latest source updateLast Update: May 10, 2026Latest change: The grant pages now place less emphasis on active program guidance, with one supporting page reduced to contact and story content while the main Ontario guidance remains largely unchanged.View change
Latest source update
Last Update: May 10, 2026
Latest change: The grant pages now place less emphasis on active program guidance, with one supporting page reduced to contact and story content while the main Ontario guidance remains largely unchanged.
OAFRIP guidance content changed
Most Ontario program details appear unchanged, including eligibility, intake dates, funding terms, and application instructions on the main guidance pages. The clearest substantive change is on the Bioenterprise OAFRI page, where overview, eligibility, funding, project-type, and application guidance were removed and the page now focuses mainly on contact information and resource or story links. Because of that shift, applicants may find less program detail on the support page even though the core Ontario guidance still appears available elsewhere.
Funding available
$ 50,000 - $ 200,000
Deadline
October 31, 2025
Opened January 15, 2024
Location
Ontario, Canada
Overview
Ontario-based agri-food organizations can access support for research, innovation, commercialization, and knowledge transfer. Funding reaches up to $200,000 for applied research and pilot projects, up to $50,000 for KTT projects, and up to $150,000 for commercialization projects.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Implement environmental initiatives
- Develop a new product or service
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 200,000 $
- Minimum amount : 50,000 $
- Up to 100% of project cost
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Ontario
Legal structures
- Non-profit
- Public or Parapublic institution
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
- Canadians
- Startups
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Higher Education
- Research
- Business Associations
Target groups
- Indigenous peoples
- Rural / Remote communities
- Business owners / entrepreneurs
- Nonprofits / charities
- Academia / students
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- Municipal
- Provincial
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Applied research on agri-food products, processes, and practices
- Pilot and demonstration of prototypes or operational models
- Knowledge translation and transfer activities
- Commercialization, market validation, and product development
- Grow Ontario Accelerator Hub business support services
Documents Needed
- Completed application form
- CRA Business Number or SIN, if applicable
- Project budget and cost estimates
- Written quotes from third-party suppliers
- Supporting documents required by the selected stream guidelines
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- For-profit entities
- Not-for-profit entities
- Government, except federal and provincial governments
- Non-government organizations
- Universities and colleges, and research institutions based in Ontario
Who is not eligible
- Federal and provincial government researchers or employees
- Researchers outside Ontario
- Applicants with outstanding required reports on prior OMAFA-funded projects
- Organizations operating in aquaculture
- Food service organizations for the commercialization stream
Eligible expenses
- Employee salaries and benefits for project work
- Supplies, equipment, data, and information needed for the project
- Equipment rental, facility rental, and land rental
- Third-party services and project-related travel
- Knowledge transfer, communication, and publication costs
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Costs incurred outside the eligible project period
- Ordinary business operating costs
- Land, buildings, vehicles, and major machinery purchases
- Lobbying, legal fees, financing charges, and membership fees
- Aquaculture, seaweed, fish, and seafood-related activities
Eligible geographic areas
- Ontario
Selection criteria
- Alignment with research priority areas
- Novelty and expected benefits to Ontario’s agri-food sector
- Applicant expertise and team strength
- Quality of the project design and plan
- Value for money and ability to secure additional funding
How to apply
- Step 1: Review the stream guidelines
- Read the relevant stream guidelines and requirements.
- Confirm the project fits the stream and priority areas.
- Step 2: Prepare the application
- Complete the required application form or proposal workbook.
- Prepare supporting budget information and required quotes.
- Step 3: Submit the application
- Apply through RMS or email the completed form, depending on the stream.
- Submit before the published deadline.
- Step 4: Await review and decision
- The application will be reviewed for eligibility and merit.
- Successful applicants will receive an approval notice by email.
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are reviewed for completeness and eligibility
- Proposals are assessed against stream-specific merit criteria
- Successful applicants receive an approval letter by email
- Claims are reviewed before reimbursement is issued
- Applicants may need to comply with a contribution agreement and final report requirements
Additional information
- Intake dates vary by stream and may close at different times.
- Successful applicants receive an approval letter by email.
- Claims are reimbursed after review and approval.
- A final report is required before holdback funds are released.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Ontario Agri-food Research Initiative (OAFRIP) Program
What is the Ontario Agri-food Research Initiative (OAFRIP)?
Ontario-based agri-food organizations can access support for research, innovation, commercialization, and knowledge transfer. Funding reaches up to $200,000 for applied research and pilot projects, up to $50,000 for KTT projects, and up to $150,000 for commercialization projects.
How much funding can be received?
Ontario Agri-food Research Initiative (OAFRIP) Funds up to 100% of admissible expenses, capped at $200,000 per project.
What is the deadline to apply?
The application deadline for this grant program was October 31, 2025.
Who is eligible for the Ontario Agri-food Research Initiative (OAFRIP) program?
To be eligible for the Ontario Agri-food Research Initiative (OAFRIP) program, you must:
The applicant must be located in Ontario.
Project activities and costs must take place in Ontario, with project partners and service providers located in Ontario.
The project must address at least one Ontario agriculture research priority area and the Initiative objectives.
What expenses are eligible under Ontario Agri-food Research Initiative (OAFRIP)?
Applied research on agri-food products, processes, and practices
Pilot and demonstration of prototypes or operational models
Knowledge translation and transfer activities
Commercialization, market validation, and product development
Grow Ontario Accelerator Hub business support services
Who can I contact for more information about the Ontario Agri-food Research Initiative (OAFRIP)?
You can contact Government of Ontario by email at research.omafra@ontario.ca or by phone at 1-866-464-4524.
Where is the Ontario Agri-food Research Initiative (OAFRIP) available?
The Ontario Agri-food Research Initiative (OAFRIP) program is available the province of Ontario.