Ontario Agri-Food Research Initiative — Applied Research Stream

• 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

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

• Alignment with the research focus area
• Novelty, significance, and benefits to Ontario's agri-food sector
• Relevant expertise and strength of the research team
• Quality and clarity of the experimental design and project plan
• Value for money and ability to secure external funding

• Step 1: Register in RMS
  • Create an account in the Ministry's Research Management System if needed.
  • Recover access if a previous account is inactive.
• Step 2: Complete the application
  • Fill out the Ministry-approved online application form.
  • Provide all required information and select the best-fit NAICS codes.
• Step 3: Submit online
  • Submit the completed form in RMS by the deadline.
  • Ensure only one application is submitted.
• Step 4: Claims after approval
  • Use RMS to submit claims for eligible costs.
  • Upload paid invoices and proof of payment for review.

• 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.

• 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.