Open
Source verified August 5, 2026
Strategic Response Fund (SRF)
Supports food processing and supply chain resilience
Latest source updateLast Update: July 27, 2026Latest change: The SRF content now emphasizes an expression of interest for food processing, supply chain and manufacturing projects, with new organizational requirements and a contribution cap now visible at up to $50 million.View change
Latest source update
Last Update: July 27, 2026
Latest change: The SRF content now emphasizes an expression of interest for food processing, supply chain and manufacturing projects, with new organizational requirements and a contribution cap now visible at up to $50 million.
SRF eligibility and application update
The SRF now presents an expression of interest for food processing, supply chain and manufacturing projects focused on Canada’s food security and food-system resilience objectives. The updated content adds new organizational requirements, including disclosure of ties to sanctioned countries, and shows a requested SRF contribution of at least $10 million and up to $50 million for total project costs of at least $20 million. The application instructions also changed: the form cannot be saved and resumed later, applicants are directed to review detailed application criteria before submitting a request for consultation, and eligible organizations now include incorporated for-profit and not-for-profit entities as well as commercial enterprises, co-ops, industry-led consortia, and collaborative partnerships involving industry, Indigenous organizations, and academia.
Funding available
$ 10,000,000
Deadline
Open continuously
Opened March 9, 2026
Location
Canada
Overview
The Strategic Response Fund offers $10 million to $50 million for Canadian incorporated organizations with 10 or more employees pursuing commercially viable projects that strengthen food security and food-system resilience. Eligible projects include building new domestic capacity, modernizing existing operations, and strengthening supporting infrastructure for food processing and supply chains.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase performance through digital transformation
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Increase production or service capacity
Eligible Funding
- Minimum amount : 10,000,000 $
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- Non-profit
- For-profit business
- Non-financial cooperative
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- All groups
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- All industries
Target groups
- All the groups
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- All dimensions
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Building new domestic capacity, including new facilities or expanded existing operations that increase domestic food production
- Modernizing existing capacity through facility upgrades, process improvements, and production line expansion
- Adopting advanced technologies such as automation and robotics, artificial intelligence and digital manufacturing systems, process optimization technologies, and advanced equipment
- Strengthening supporting infrastructure through food-grade packaging, packaging materials, industrial manufacturing systems, processing equipment, and critical food-system inputs
- Supporting food processing, manufacturing, commercialization, or supply chain benefits that strengthen Canada’s food system
Documents Needed
- Application form
- Financial forms
- Standard contribution agreement template
- Other supporting documents, if required
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Canadian incorporated organizations with 10 or more employees
- For-profit and not-for-profit organizations, including commercial enterprises and co-ops
- Industry-led consortia and collaborative partnerships involving industry, Indigenous organizations, and academia carrying out business in Canada
- Organizations pursuing commercially viable projects in food and beverage processing, food-grade packaging and materials, industrial manufacturing systems, or agricultural inputs and critical food-system components
Eligible expenses
- Direct labour costs
- Direct materials and equipment costs
- Other direct costs
- Overhead costs, subject to program limits, plus subcontracts and consultants costs
- Land and building costs that are necessary and reasonable to carry out project activities
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Projects focused solely on increasing agricultural production are generally outside the intended scope of this initiative.
- Proposals whose primary objective is to facilitate or coordinate the activities of other organizations, without directly implementing the project or owning assets and/or intellectual property, may not be eligible.
- Advertising is ineligible, except reasonable advertising of an industrial or institutional character placed in trade, technical or professional journals for the dissemination of information for the industry or institution.
- Donations, entertainment expenses, and fines and penalties are ineligible.
- Product development or improvement expenses not associated with the project, selling and marketing expenses associated with the products or services being developed as part of the project, and taxes including goods and services taxes are ineligible.
Eligible geographic areas
- Canada
Selection criteria
- How well the project supports the National Food Security Strategy’s objectives, including strengthening Canada’s food production and processing capacity, improving supply chains, and creating economic benefits
- Readiness to move to an executed agreement and deliver measurable outcomes in the near term
- Direct impact on Canada’s ability to produce, process, package, or distribute food and food-related products within Canada, while improving long-term food security and economic resilience
- Introduction of new technology, innovation, modernization, new products, or major improvements to operations
- Support for other Canadian industries by creating demand for Canadian-made products, materials, and equipment
How to apply
- Review the detailed application criteria to determine your eligibility.
- Submit the Expression of interest intake form with information about your organization, project, project costs, and expected outcomes.
- If invited, complete the full application package before the intake window closes on August 4, 2026.
- Undergo assessment and due diligence, followed by funding decisions and contribution agreement negotiations if successful.
Processing and Agreement
- Eligible companies receive a full application package after the expression of interest stage.
- Applications are assessed during a set period, and applicants are notified whether their project is retained for consideration.
- Selected projects may proceed to due diligence, including financial, technical, market, and organizational assessments.
- Successful applicants may receive a formal funding offer, followed by funding decisions and contribution agreement negotiations.
- Once the Contribution Agreement is signed, SRF operates as a claim-based program with regular reporting throughout the project and possible audits.
Additional information
- Submitting an expression of interest does not constitute a formal application for funding.
- If your project is selected, you will receive a more detailed application package for further assessment, prioritization, and due diligence.
- Information provided in the application, including expected economic, public, and innovation benefits, will become contractual commitments if the project is approved.
- The expression of interest form cannot be saved and resumed later and must be completed and submitted in one session.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Strategic Response Fund (SRF) Program
What is the Strategic Response Fund (SRF)?
The Strategic Response Fund offers $10 million to $50 million for Canadian incorporated organizations with 10 or more employees pursuing commercially viable projects that strengthen food security and food-system resilience. Eligible projects include building new domestic capacity, modernizing existing operations, and strengthening supporting infrastructure for food processing and supply chains.
Who is eligible for the Strategic Response Fund (SRF) program?
To be eligible for the Strategic Response Fund (SRF) program, you must:
The applicant must be incorporated in Canada and have 10 or more employees.
The project must be commercially viable and support food processing, supply chains, or related manufacturing through one or more strategic investment areas.
Total project costs must be at least $20 million, with a requested SRF contribution of at least $10 million and up to $50 million.
What expenses are eligible under Strategic Response Fund (SRF)?
Building new domestic capacity, including new facilities or expanded existing operations that increase domestic food production
Modernizing existing capacity through facility upgrades, process improvements, and production line expansion
Adopting advanced technologies such as automation and robotics, artificial intelligence and digital manufacturing systems, process optimization technologies, and advanced equipment
Strengthening supporting infrastructure through food-grade packaging, packaging materials, industrial manufacturing systems, processing equipment, and critical food-system inputs
Supporting food processing, manufacturing, commercialization, or supply chain benefits that strengthen Canada’s food system
Who can I contact for more information about the Strategic Response Fund (SRF)?
You can contact Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) by email at strategicresponsefund-fondsdereponsestrategique@ised-isde.gc.ca or by phone at 1-800-328-6189.
Where is the Strategic Response Fund (SRF) available?
The Strategic Response Fund (SRF) program is available across Canada.
Is the Strategic Response Fund (SRF) a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Strategic Response Fund (SRF) is a Grant and Funding
Who are the financial supporters of the Strategic Response Fund (SRF)?
Strategic Response Fund (SRF) is funded by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)