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Ontario Agri-Food Research Initiative — Applied Research Stream
Funding for Ontario agri-food applied research
Last Update: June 14, 2026
Funding available
$ 150,000
Timeline
- Open Date : October 15, 2024
- Closing date : January 13, 2025
Location
Ontario, Canada
Overview
Ontario Agri-Food Research Initiative — Applied Research Stream provides funding for agri-food applied research projects that generate new knowledge for the sector. It supports research activities, personnel costs, supplies, equipment, third-party services, knowledge transfer, and project-related travel.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Develop a new product or service
- Conduct research and development activities
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 150,000 $
- Up to 100% of project cost
Timeline
- Open Date : October 15, 2024
- Closing date : January 13, 2025
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Manufacturing
- Wholesale trade
- Retail trade
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Educational services
- Accommodation and food services
- Public administration
Location
- Ontario
Legal structures
- All legal structures
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
- Canadians
- Startups
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Applied research in agri-food and agri-products
- Research on food safety or plant health and protection
- Knowledge transfer and translation activities
- Recruitment and training of research personnel
Documents Needed
- Completed Ministry-approved application form
- CRA Business Number or Social Insurance Number, if applicable
- Proof of valid premises identification number, if applicable
- Proof of valid farm business registration number or exemption, if applicable
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Research bodies
- Industry organizations
- Indigenous persons
- Municipal governments
- Processors, primary producers, service providers, and retailers/wholesalers
Who is not eligible
- Federal or provincial government employees
- Projects focused on aquaponics, aquaculture, seaweed, fish, or seafood production and processing
- Projects limited to commercialization or marketing of already commercialized technologies
- Applicants whose project is not based in Ontario
Eligible expenses
- Project-related salaries and benefits for students, post-doctoral fellows, and research technicians
- Research supplies, disposables, data, equipment rental or purchase, and third-party services
- Knowledge transfer costs, publication costs, conference attendance, and project-related travel
- Indirect costs for Research Bodies and Industry Organizations, up to 25% of direct operating costs
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Activities outside the listed research focus areas, including commercialization and pilot or demonstration work at TRL 6 and above
- Business risk management, normal operating costs, and activities with no direct sector benefit
- Land, buildings, vehicles, machinery, financing charges, legal fees, memberships, and lobbying costs
- Alcohol, in-kind costs, and costs eligible for credits, rebates, or refunds
- Salaries for executives, administrative staff, board members, permanent staff, and government employees
Eligible geographic areas
- Ontario
Processing and Agreement
- The Ministry reviews only completed applications for eligibility.
- Applications are assessed on merit-based criteria.
- Successful applicants receive an approval letter by email.
- Unsuccessful applicants receive an email with a brief explanation.
- Approved recipients must submit claims through RMS and may receive a holdback until the final report is approved.
Additional information
- Applications are submitted through the Ministry's Research Management System (RMS).
- Only one application may be submitted per applicant.
- Applicants may be asked to provide voluntary demographic information.
Contacts
Other components of this program
Explore related funding streams and grants that belong to the same program.
- Ontario Agri-Food Research Initiative – Pilot and Demonstration Stream (2024)Supports Ontario agri-food pilot projects
Frequently Asked Questions about the Ontario Agri-Food Research Initiative — Applied Research Stream Program
What is the Ontario Agri-Food Research Initiative — Applied Research Stream?
Ontario Agri-Food Research Initiative — Applied Research Stream provides funding for agri-food applied research projects that generate new knowledge for the sector. It supports research activities, personnel costs, supplies, equipment, third-party services, knowledge transfer, and project-related travel.
How much funding can be received?
Ontario Agri-Food Research Initiative — Applied Research Stream Funds up to 100% of admissible expenses, capped at $150,000 per project.
What is the deadline to apply?
The application deadline for this grant program was January 13, 2025.
Who is eligible for the Ontario Agri-Food Research Initiative — Applied Research Stream program?
To be eligible for the Ontario Agri-Food Research Initiative — Applied Research Stream program, you must:
Located in Ontario
Eligible applicant type
Project aligned with a research focus area
What expenses are eligible under Ontario Agri-Food Research Initiative — Applied Research Stream?
Applied research in agri-food and agri-products
Research on food safety or plant health and protection
Knowledge transfer and translation activities
Recruitment and training of research personnel
Who can I contact for more information about the Ontario Agri-Food Research Initiative — Applied Research Stream?
You can contact Government of Ontario by email at RMS@ontario.ca or by phone at none.
Where is the Ontario Agri-Food Research Initiative — Applied Research Stream available?
The Ontario Agri-Food Research Initiative — Applied Research Stream program is available the province of Ontario.