How much funding can be received?

Funds up to 75% of admissible expenses, capped at $150000 per project.

What is the deadline to apply?

The deadline to apply is not specified.

Who are the financial supporters of the Protein Industries Canada — Capacity Building?

Protein Industries Canada — Capacity Building is funded by Protein Industries Canada

What are Protein Industries Canada — Capacity Building's eligibility criterias?

Projects must engage diverse and inclusive teams with significant participation from women, Indigenous Peoples, and/or other under-represented groups. Projects should align with Protein Industries Canada’s priority areas and Global Innovation Cluster themes, aiming for significant ecosystem transformation. Projects must involve collaboration through consortia to leverage strengths, address gaps, and develop innovations.

Protein Industries Canada — Capacity Building

Last Update: July 22, 2025

Canada

Enhancing Canada's plant protein industry through capacity building

Protein Industries Canada — Capacity Building at a glance

Eligible Funding

From $50,000 to $150,000
Up to 75% of project cost

Timeline

Continuous Intakes

Financing Type

Grant and Funding

Eligible Industries

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
Manufacturing

Grant Providers

Protein Industries Canada

Program status

Open

Overview of the Protein Industries Canada — Capacity Building program

The grant aims to build capacity within Canada's plant protein sector, focusing on advancing the agrifood sector and creating a competitive and sustainable global business environment. Protein Industries Canada will co-invest in collaborative consortia projects that leverage strengths, address gaps, and develop innovations, with no specified maximum funding amount indicated, as contributions depend on project alignment with priority areas and potential for ecosystem transformation.

Financing terms and conditions

Total eligible project costs must range between $50,000 and $200,000.
Maximum reimbursement is 75% of total project costs (between $37,500 and $150,000).
Projects must be completed within a maximum of 12 months.

Eligible projects & activities

Reformulating food products to incorporate domestically produced Canadian ingredients.
Scaling up and commercializing domestically produced food products for Canadian consumers.
Scaling up and commercializing domestically produced ingredients for use by Canadian manufacturers.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 400,000

Establishing a plant protein research lab at the University of British Columbia

$ 200,000

Developing a market analysis tool for plant protein trends

$ 480,000

Scaling up plant-based food manufacturing

$ 160,000

Developing sustainability metrics for plant-based agricultural practices

$ 125,000

Creating an inclusive training program for newcomers in the plant protein industry

$ 250,000

Modernizing regulatory frameworks for novel plant-based foods

Eligibility criteria of the Protein Industries Canada — Capacity Building program

The project must include collaboration between several companies or organizations (collaborative consortium projects).
The project must use inputs or ingredients sourced from Canadian field crops (e.g., wheat, oats, barley, peas, soybeans, fava beans, as well as other emerging crops like lupin or hemp).
Project teams must be diverse and inclusive, including significant participation from women, Indigenous peoples, and/or other underrepresented groups.
The project must align with at least one of the priority areas defined by Protein Industries Canada, such as innovation, access to talent, infrastructure, or sustainability.

Who is eligible?

Canadian ingredient manufacturers
Canadian food processors
Companies utilizing Canadian field crops such as wheat, oats, barley, peas, soy, or fava beans
Companies working with emerging crops such as lupin or hemp

Eligible expenses

Costs associated with reformulating products using domestically produced ingredients (e.g., Canadian wheat, oats, barley, peas, soy, fava beans, lupin, or hemp).
Expenses related to the scale-up and commercialization of domestically produced food products for the Canadian market.
Expenses for scaling up and commercializing domestically produced ingredients for Canadian manufacturers.

Eligibility criteria of the Protein Industries Canada — Capacity Building program

Alignment of project outcomes with Priority Areas and Global Innovation Cluster themes.
Potential for ecosystem transformation within the Canadian plant-based food sector.
Engagement of diverse and inclusive teams, including meaningful participation of women, Indigenous Peoples, and/or other under-represented groups.

How to apply to the Protein Industries Canada — Capacity Building program

Review Program Guide

Download and read the Capacity Building Program Guide available in English or French.
Familiarize yourself with program structure and eligibility requirements.

Expression of Interest (EOI) Submission

Prepare an Expression of Interest (EOI) that outlines your project concept and potential impact.
Submit the EOI for assessment by Protein Industries Canada staff for eligibility and alignment with investment thesis priorities.

Feedback and Advice

Receive feedback from Protein Industries Canada on how to enhance your project to meet eligibility criteria.
Refine project scope based on provided feedback.

Full Project Proposal

For EOIs selected to proceed, prepare a detailed Full Project Proposal including a comprehensive budget and work plan.
Fine-tune the proposal through discussion with the consortium and Protein Industries Canada.

Submission to Project Selection Committee

Submit the Full Project Proposal for evaluation by the Project Selection Committee.
Ensure compliance with the Conflict of Interest Policy and Applicant Interaction Policy during the evaluation process.

Await Decision

Wait for the Project Selection Committee to approve, decline, or table your project for more information.
Respond to any requests for additional information if necessary.

Additional information

All projects must demonstrate meaningful participation from women, Indigenous Peoples, and/or other under-represented groups.
Projects should avoid duplication of existing efforts in the sector.
Protein Industries Canada staff can provide support and feedback during proposal development.
Members of project consortia are required to comply with the Conflict of Interest Policy and Applicant Interaction Policy during the evaluation process.

Apply to this program