Ontario Agri-food Research Initiative
ON, Canada
Funding for Ontario agri-food research and innovation projects
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|noCondition
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|openingDateOctober 02, 2024
- grant_single|closingDateDecember 04, 2024
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
grant_single|grantors
- Government of Ontario
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|open
grant_single_labels|preview
The Ontario Agri-Food Research Initiative provides funding for agri-food research and innovation projects in Ontario, with several streams such as applied research, pilot and demonstration, knowledge translation and transfer, and commercialization, although the maximum funding amount is not explicitly provided. Eligible activities include scientific investigation, prototype development, knowledge mobilization, and scaling innovative technologies for commercial use.
grant_single_labels|projects
This grant supports diverse projects and activities tailored towards enhancing the agri-food sector in Ontario through research, development, and commercialization activities. These initiatives focus on advancing technology readiness, disseminating knowledge, and translating research into market-ready solutions.
- Applied research projects using scientific investigation to address existing problems through new knowledge and proof-of-concept development in a lab environment.
- Pilot and demonstration projects focusing on developing and testing models or prototypes of new technologies, bridging the gap between applied research and commercialization.
- Knowledge translation and transfer projects aimed at expediting the use of research knowledge through synthesis, exchange, engagement, dissemination, and collaboration.
- Commercialization projects that scale innovative technologies, products, and services to real-world markets, incorporating market validation and product development.
- Support activities through the Grow Ontario Accelerator Hub, offering mentoring, advisory services, growth planning, and investment readiness for agri-food businesses.
grant_single_labels|admissibility
Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific requirements that applicants must meet in order to qualify for funding.
- The lead applicant must be located in Ontario.
- The applicant must demonstrate their capacity to perform quality research and innovation activities.
- The applicant must be part of one of the following organizations: a university or college, a research organization, institute or foundation, an industry organization or business, a non-government organization, or a municipal or indigenous government or government agency.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
Eligible applicants for this initiative include universities, colleges, research organizations, institutes, industry organizations, businesses, non-government organizations, municipal or indigenous governments or agencies located in Ontario. Applicants must demonstrate their capacity to perform quality research and innovation activities in the agri-food sector. However, federal and provincial government researchers, researchers from outside Ontario, and those with outstanding progress reports from previously funded projects are not eligible to apply as lead applicants, although they may collaborate.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
Certain applicants are not eligible for this grant based on their status or location. The restrictions are intended to ensure that funding aligns with the initiative's aims and eligibility criteria.
- Federal and provincial government researchers, unless collaborating with an eligible lead applicant.
- Researchers and organizations outside of Ontario, unless collaborating with an Ontario-based lead applicant.
- Researchers with outstanding progress reports for other projects funded by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness.
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
The grant covers expenses directly related to research and innovation activities in the agri-food sector.
- Personnel costs specifically for project-related research roles.
- Equipment and materials required for research and development activities.
- Costs of pilot or demonstration project development.
- Knowledge translation and transfer activities, including dissemination and engagement.
- Expenses related to market validation and product development for commercialization.
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
This grant is available to entities primarily based in Ontario. It is designed to support research and innovation within this specific region to enhance the agri-food sector.
- Applicants must be located in Ontario, Canada.
grant_single_labels|criteria
The Ontario Agri-Food Research Initiative evaluates projects based on a series of criteria to ensure they meet the strategic objectives of the grant program.
- Relevance to the research priorities outlined in the specific stream intake guidelines.
- Capacity of the lead applicant to perform quality research and innovation activities.
- Potential for the project to enhance the resiliency and sustainable growth of the agri-food sector.
- Effectiveness of the proposed knowledge translation and transfer strategies.
- Viability of developing prototypes and models for pilot and demonstration projects.
- Market readiness and potential for commercial success in commercialization projects.
- Adherence to the principles of equity, diversity, inclusion, and Indigenization in the project approach.
grant_single_labels|register
- Step 1: Determine Eligibility
- Ensure your organization is located in Ontario and falls under an eligible category such as a university, college, or research organization.
- Step 2: Choose Appropriate Funding Stream
- Identify the relevant stream for your project based on the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) and project objectives (e.g., applied research, pilot and demonstration, knowledge translation and transfer, or commercialization).
- Review the research priorities outlined in the specific stream intake guidelines to ensure alignment.
- Step 3: Understand the Guidelines
- Download and read the 2024 guidelines (PDF) for your chosen stream to understand the detailed requirements and criteria.
- For applied research, pilot and demonstration, and knowledge translation and transfer streams, access the guidelines via the Ontario government website.
- Step 4: Prepare Application
- Compile all necessary documents and information required by the guidelines, including project descriptions, budgets, and timelines.
- Draft your application ensuring it addresses the funding criteria and research priorities.
- Step 5: Submit Application
- For applied research, pilot and demonstration, and KTT streams, log in to the Research Management System (RMS) to submit your application.
- If applicable, contact RMS support at RMS@ontario.ca for assistance.
- For the commercialization stream, visit the Bioenterprise website to submit your application.
- Step 6: Attend Information Sessions (Optional)
- Register for the virtual information session on October 29, 2024, for insights into the applied research, pilot and demonstration, and KTT streams.
- Attend the Bioenterprise event on October 16, 2024, to learn more about the commercialization stream.
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
Here are additional relevant details for this grant:
- The initiative adheres to the principles of equity, diversity, inclusion, and Indigenization.
- The Ontario Agri-Food Research Initiative is jointly funded by the Governments of Canada and Ontario under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership.
- The Grow Ontario Accelerator Hub provides mentoring and advisory services, growth planning, and investment readiness supports on a continuous intake basis.
- Researchers with outstanding progress reports for other projects funded by OMAFA must submit these reports to be eligible for new funding.
- A virtual information session will be held for several streams to provide an overview and answer questions about the application process.
Apply to this program
Unlock Funding for Agri-Food Innovation in Ontario
The Ontario Agri-Food Research Initiative provides essential financial resources for research and innovation projects within the agri-food sector. This initiative aims to support sustainable growth and resilience by promoting demand-driven activities that create new knowledge, technologies, and market opportunities.
Detailed Insights into the Ontario Agri-Food Research Initiative
The Ontario Agri-Food Research Initiative (OAFRI), collaboratively funded by the Government of Canada and Ontario, is a significant pillar of the Grow Ontario Strategy under the Sustainable Canadian Agriculture Partnership. Designed to bolster the province's agri-food sector, the OAFRI offers several funding streams tailored to different phases of technology readiness and market deployment. This initiative specifically targets projects that align with its strategic objectives, nurturing innovations that enhance industry resilience, expand market reach, and address specific challenges within the agri-food environment.
The funding streams under OAFRI are distinctly categorized to provide project-based support across various stages of research and development. These streams include Applied Research, Pilot and Demonstration, Knowledge Translation and Transfer (KTT), and Commercialization. Each stream has unique objectives and caters to specific aspects of the research continuum. The Applied Research stream, for instance, focuses on generating foundational knowledge and establishing experimental proofs-of-concept up to mid-range technology readiness levels (up to TRL 5). This stream serves as a starting point for turning theoretical research into tangible solutions through scientific inquiry.
The Pilot and Demonstration stream bridges the gap between applied research and commercial applications by supporting projects that develop prototypes or models, completing the technology readiness level 6. It allows researchers to validate their concepts in practical settings, ensuring readiness for full-scale implementation.
Moreover, the Knowledge Translation and Transfer stream promotes the effective use of scientific knowledge by facilitating activities such as synthesis, exchange, collaboration, and dissemination among stakeholders. This stream is vital for speeding up the application of innovative research findings, ensuring they reach industry players in a timely and impactful manner.
The Commercialization stream is geared towards projects that are poised to take innovative solutions to market. This involves market validation and product development activities that help refine technologies and services for commercial application, advancing them through higher levels of technology readiness (TRL 7-9). This stream ensures that groundbreaking technologies are not only developed but also effectively introduced to market settings where they can generate economic and social benefits.
In addition to these structured funding streams, the Grow Ontario Accelerator Hub offers continuous support, focusing on nurturing agri-food business capacities through mentoring, investment readiness, and growth planning. This hub serves as a dynamic avenue for fostering innovation adoption and enabling more solutions and technologies to penetrate the market.
OAFRI is committed to principles of equity, diversity, inclusion, and Indigenization, ensuring that the application process is accessible and inclusive. Eligible applicants must demonstrate their ability to conduct high-quality research or innovation activities and be based in Ontario, associated with various organizations, including educational institutions, industry bodies, and non-government entities.
By participating in this initiative, organizations gain a robust platform to elevate their research endeavors, contribute to sustainable industry growth, and ensure that their innovations effectively benefit the broader agri-food sector. The initiative not only funds research but also drives strategic collaborations and knowledge exchange, fostering a more resilient and adaptable agricultural economy in Ontario.
