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Source verified April 9, 2026
Protein Industries Canada — Artificial Intelligence
AI co-investment for plant-based agrifood innovation
Funding available
Up to 45% of project cost
Deadline
August 30, 2024
Opened April 1, 2023
Location
Canada
Overview
Protein Industries Canada provides up to 45% of eligible costs for AI projects in the plant-based and agrifood sector. The program supports collaborative consortia working on AI commercialization, technology development, and process improvement.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase performance through digital transformation
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Develop a new product or service
Eligible Funding
- Up to 45% of project cost
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- Non-financial cooperative
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- 499 employees maximum
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
- Other Racialized Persons
- Women
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- AI commercialization projects for the plant-based food, feed, and ingredients sector.
- Collaborative R&D, prototype, or demonstration projects using AI.
- Process optimization, quality assurance, and food safety projects using AI.
- Projects that improve product development, supply chains, or market scaling through AI.
Documents Needed
- Expression of Interest form
- Declaration As To Authorization and Compliance
- Full Project Proposal
- Project budget and workplan
- Recent accountant-prepared financial statements
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Protein Industries Canada members
- Canadian companies with partners
- Consortia with SMEs
- Non-Canadian entities, if approved as consortium partners
Eligible expenses
- Eligible project costs for approved AI projects
- Data and AI Readiness Assessment costs, when required and approved for cost-sharing
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Projects that are designated projects or projects under federal environmental assessment law.
- Projects that do not comply with Canadian economic, financial, or trade sanctions.
Eligible geographic areas
- Canada
Selection criteria
- Alignment with program priority areas and Global Innovation Cluster themes.
- Technical merit and commercial application.
- Ecosystem development potential.
- Potential for transformation and impact.
How to apply
- Step 1: Introductory contact
- Review the program guide.
- Email projects@proteinsupercluster.ca to set up an introductory call.
- Step 2: Expression of Interest
- Complete the EOI form.
- Have each consortium member sign the Declaration As To Authorization and Compliance.
- Email the completed EOI and declaration to projects@proteinsupercluster.ca.
- Step 3: Full Project Proposal
- If invited, develop the full proposal with Protein Industries Canada staff.
- Complete any required Data and AI Readiness Assessment.
- Submit the proposal by email using the provided templates.
Processing and Agreement
- EOIs are reviewed first and may be accepted, tabled for more information, or declined.
- Selected projects may move to a full project proposal stage, or after a Data and AI Readiness Assessment.
- Project proposals are reviewed within six weeks of receipt.
- Approved projects require a Master Project Agreement before reimbursement can begin.
- Additional financial statements and organizational information may be requested before agreement signing.
Additional information
- Projects can be solicited or unsolicited.
- A first meeting with Protein Industries Canada is required before submitting an EOI.
- Projects may be multi-year.
- All members must comply with the project selection committee interaction policy.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Protein Industries Canada — Artificial Intelligence Program
What is the Protein Industries Canada — Artificial Intelligence?
Protein Industries Canada provides up to 45% of eligible costs for AI projects in the plant-based and agrifood sector. The program supports collaborative consortia working on AI commercialization, technology development, and process improvement.
How much funding can be received?
Protein Industries Canada — Artificial Intelligence Funds up to 45% of admissible expenses.
What is the deadline to apply?
The application deadline for this grant program was August 30, 2024.
Who is eligible for the Protein Industries Canada — Artificial Intelligence program?
To be eligible for the Protein Industries Canada — Artificial Intelligence program, you must:
Consortium with Protein Industries Canada member and partner
At least one SME partner
At least two financial contributors
What expenses are eligible under Protein Industries Canada — Artificial Intelligence?
AI commercialization projects for the plant-based food, feed, and ingredients sector.
Collaborative R&D, prototype, or demonstration projects using AI.
Process optimization, quality assurance, and food safety projects using AI.
Projects that improve product development, supply chains, or market scaling through AI.
Who can I contact for more information about the Protein Industries Canada — Artificial Intelligence?
You can contact Protein Industries Canada (PIC) by email at projects@proteinsupercluster.ca.
Where is the Protein Industries Canada — Artificial Intelligence available?
The Protein Industries Canada — Artificial Intelligence program is available across Canada.