Sponsor
The initiative is jointly funded by the Governments of Canada and Ontario under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP), a five-year federal-provincial-territorial initiative.
Program
2023-2028 Ontario Agri-Food Research Initiative
Description
Overview
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
Funding Streams
OAFRI has four funding streams to support research and innovation projects aimed at providing solutions for Ontario’s agri-food sector (such as new knowledge, technologies, products or practices).
The four streams are categorized based on technology readiness levels (TRLs). Use the TRL as a reference to determine the appropriate OAFRI stream for your application. The four streams are:
- applied research - Intake is open. The external deadline is January 11, 2024 (see deadlines below)
- pilot and demonstration - Intake is open. The external deadline is January 11, 2024 (see deadlines below)
- commercialization -Intake is open. The external deadline is January 11, 2024 (see deadlines below)
- knowledge translation and transfer (KTT) - Intake is currently closed for the KTT stream. Please refer to upcoming intake dates for more information.
For all streams, your application must align with at least one of the research priorities outlined in the specific stream intake guidelines.
Review funding streams and how to apply for more information on the four streams.
Eligibility
To be eligible for funding, the lead applicant must:
- be located in Ontario
- demonstrate their capacity to perform quality research and innovation activities
- be part of:
- a university or college
- a research organization, institute or foundation
- an industry organization or business
- a non-government organization
- a municipal or indigenous government or government agency
Indirect Costs
Up to 25% - please review eligible costs under each stream
Special Notes
Virtual information session
OMAFRA will hold a virtual information session (webinar) on November 14, 2023, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Staff from OMAFRA and Bioenterprise will:
- provide an overview of the program
- explain the streams and priorities
- answer your questions about the application process and research priorities
Register to attend this session and get webinar details.
Deadlines
If College-level review is required, your College will communicate its earlier internal deadlines.
| Type | Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Internal Deadline | Please submit your application (PDF copy), along with an OR-5 Form to research.services@uoguelph.ca. | |
External Deadline | Application submitted to Sponsor by PI (see stream details for application submission details) |
How to Apply
Visit the OAFRI website for details on how to apply to each stream.