2025/26 Research Projects

Research projects are awarded through a competitive review process to ensure academic rigour and value for money. Projects approved in the 2025/26 funding call will be added as administrative processes are completed.

Combining cover crops and enhanced efficiency fertilizers to minimize nitrogen losses from annual crops

Lead Applicant: Claudia Wagner-Riddle

Research Priority: Soil Health

Program Type: Tier 1

Funding Cycle: 2025/2026

Research Centre: Ontario Crops Research Centre - Elora

Artificial Intelligence-Driven Robotic Systems for Scouting and Integrated Pest Management in Soybean Farming: Enhancing Crop Yield and Sustainability through Machine Learning and Precision Agriculture

Lead Applicant: Gurjit Randhawa

Research Priority: Plant Health & Protection

Program Type: Tier 1

Funding Cycle: 2025/2026

Research Centre: Ontario Crops Research Centre - Elora

Nutritional strategies for supporting egg production persistency and livability in laying hens

Lead Applicant: Elijah Kiarie

Research Priority: Competitive Production Systems

Program Type: Tier 1

Funding Cycle: 2025/2026

Research Centre: Ontario Poultry Research Centre - Arkell

Advanced Phenomics and Genomics for Enhanced Anthracnose Resistance in Ontario Dry Beans

Lead Applicant: Mohsen Yoosefzadeh Najafabadi

Research Priority: Competitive Production Systems

Program Type: Tier 1

Funding Cycle: 2025/2026

Research Centre: Ontario Crops Research Centre - Elora, Woodstock

Farm-level trends in the quantity and duration of antimicrobial use and associations with health status, reasons for use, and farm demographics in grower-finisher pigs, 2009-2024.

Lead Applicant: Anne Deckert

Research Priority: Animal Health & Welfare

Program Type: Tier 1

Funding Cycle: 2025/2026

Research Centre: NA

Efficacy of novel nano-acaricide formulations and treatment frequency for the control of the mite Varroa destructor in honey bee colonies

Lead Applicant: Ernesto Gusman

Research Priority: Animal Health & Welfare

Program Type: Tier 1

Funding Cycle: 2025/2026

Research Centre: NA

Inactivation of Salmonella and other enteric pathogens in milled flour using a combination of Far-UV and L-Cysteine: Pathogen reduction without negatively affecting baking quality of flour

Lead Applicant: Keith Warriner

Research Priority: Food Safety

Program Type: Tier 1

Funding Cycle: 2025/2026

Research Center: NA

Innovative monitoring, stormwater management and harvesting for water-resilient farmers and improved ecosystems

Lead Applicant: David McCarthy

Research Priority: Water Quality & Quantity

Program Type: Tier 1

Funding Cycle: 2025/2026

Research Centre: Ontario Crops Research Centre – Elora

Blueprints for Prosperity: Examining Rural Strategies for Mega-Manufacturing Investments

Lead Applicant: Ryan Gibson

Research Priority: Strong Rural Communities

Program Type: Tier 1

Funding Cycle: 2025/2026

Research Centre: NA