Below are some recent funding opportunities as well as a number of links to different locations of funding opportunities for processors. Please visit this page frequently as we will be updating on a regular basis.
Grains Innovation Fund
Under this Market Development initiative, funding is available to support development of new and reformulated products and processes which have the potential to expand the market for Ontario barley, corn, oat, soybean and wheat crops or crop residues. Projects which satisfy the eligibility criteria established for this fund can receive up to 60% of the cost of the project up to a maximum of $75,000.
Interested companies are encouraged to contact Grain Farmers of Ontario before preparing and submitting an application to discuss your project idea. Grain Farmers of Ontario can provide feedback on whether your project meets the program criteria.
For additional details on the Grains Fund, please contact Hayley Micallef at hmicallef@gfo.ca or or (519) 837-2285 or visit https://gfo.ca/market-development/
Ontario Agri-food Research Initiative
The Ontario Agri-food Research Initiative (OAFRI) provides funding for agri-food research and innovation projects in Ontario, which is a key pillar of the Grow Ontario Strategy. The OAFRI program strives to create an application process that adheres to the principles of equity, diversity, inclusion and Indigenization. The goals of the initiative are to:
- fund demand-driven research and innovation activities in the agri-food sector
- support the sector’s resiliency and facilitate sustainable growth
- improve knowledge or technology to address business challenges
- expand market opportunities locally and globally
The initiative is jointly funded by the Governments of Canada and Ontario under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP), a 5-year federal-provincial-territorial initiative.
Additional details can be found at https://www.ontario.ca/page/ontario-agri-food-research-initiative?utm_campaign=%2Fen%2Frelease%2F1003638%2Fgovernments-driving-research-and-innovation-in-ontario&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsroom&utm_term=public#section-2
Supply Management Processing Investment Fund
a The program provides non-repayable contributions to support investments in dairy, poultry, and egg processing facilities that improve productivity and/or efficiency through the purchase of new automated equipment and technology. Program budget from April 1, 2022, to March 31, 2028, is $292.5 million.
b) Applicants are advised to apply at the earliest to get Funding allocated. Maximum contribution up to $5 million over life of the program. Applicants may apply at any point during the life of the program, until available funds have been fully allocated. The program ends on March 31, 2028, and all projects must be completed prior to that date.
c) Eligible applicants are for-profit organizations, including corporations and cooperatives, and are processors of supply-managed commodities:
d) Dairy processors – Dairy processors transform Canadian milk into dairy products and/or dairy ingredients such as butter, cheese, milk powders, evaporated milk, sweetened & condensed milk, cream, ice cream, buttermilk, yogurt, etc.
e) Poultry primary processors slaughter chicken and/or turkey.
f) Poultry further processors transform raw chicken meat and/or turkey meat into a variety of foods.
g)Hatcheries (broiler, egg-type or turkey), Egg graders or Egg processors
S&RED Tax Credit
- Receive up to $100,000 for any New Technically challenging products which have increased the knowledge level of your company.
- SR&ED helps to increase Research and Development in Canada.
- Help companies compete in manufacturing and technology.
- Provide financial support for innovative technological efforts, regardless of whether the outcome is successful.
AKR technical staff have several years of experience in the Food Industry and other sciences. They understand in depth issues faced in Food processing facilities, which translates into more money in your pocket at the end of the day in a SR&ED Claim.
The Grow Ontario Market Initiative provides funding to processors to find and develop domestic or export market opportunities.
Processors are eligible to receive 50% of Eligible Costs up to a maximum of $60,000 in funding per Project under the Initiative. Funding to grow your business through:
- Marketing analysis and planning
- New Product development
- Marketing activities.
Funding for Growth – Repayable Interest free contributions upto 50% of Project
Applications can be submitted for No-interest, repayable contributions from $125,000 up to $10 million per project for incorporated businesses that:
i. develop, commercialize or produce innovative products, processes and services
ii. improve productivity, capacity and competitiveness.
iii. scale-up and expand to develop new business opportunities, enter new markets, or reach new customers
Biosecurity Enhancement Initiative
The purpose of the Initiative is to support the resiliency of the agriculture and food sector by addressing biosecurity risks and emergency preparedness. The Initiative will improve the preparation, detection, mitigation, and reduction of risks in the agri-food system, increase sector preparedness for disruptions, improve public trust and consumer confidence, and help the sector thrive.
It provides funding opportunities to key agriculture industry businesses, including Primary Producers, Processors, and Service Providers.
Applications will be accepted as of September 19, 2023, on an ongoing basis until no later than January 6, 2025, subject to the availability of funding allocated to the Initiative.
Additional funding links...
https://adaptcouncil.org/programs
https://omafra.gov.on.ca/english/food/industry/funding-prog-index.htm
