Sponsor

Grain Farmers of Ontario

Program

Barley, corn, oat, soybean, and wheat research

For More Information

Please refer to GFO's Letter of Intent - 2026 Call for Research Proposals [1] for instructions and sponsor template

Description

Investment in research is a long-term strategic initiative of the Grain Farmers of Ontario (GFO) for the benefit of all barley, corn, oat, soybean, and wheat farmers. Ontario’s grain farmers have sponsored and participated in decades of practical research that has resulted in economic gains and improved agricultural sustainability for Ontario farmers and the Ontario environment. Our goal is to invest in research and support innovation and knowledge transfer that will enhance farmer member profitability and sector competitiveness.

GFO aims to address the research needs for barley, corn, oat, soybean, and wheat through four overall priority areas: Agronomy and Production; Weed, Disease and Insect Pests; Crop Quality and Utilization; and Breeding and Genetics.  Within each priority area, GFO invests funds in projects of high priority to Ontario farmers, strives to maximize public sector research investment, and encourages private sector research investment.

Each year GFO identifies specific priorities toward which it would like to target increased research investment. This year, GFO is placing a particular emphasis on research proposals targeting the following research priorities:

• Integrate 4R nutrient stewardship practices for commercial fertilizer with other nutrient sources (e.g., cover crops, manure application, biosolids) and validate 4R practices to improve farm profitability and reduce N losses and GHG emissions per unit of crop production.
• Develop integrated weed, disease, and insect pest management strategies that consider multiple management options, biology and epidemiology of the pest, and prevention of pest resistance to trait and pesticide control measures. Of particular interest are projects addressing tar spot in corn and white mould in soybeans.
• Develop effective crop residue management practices to minimize residue challenges, and maximize crop production, profitability and environmental sustainability under minimal tillage/no-till.

Funding Availability

Budget requests to GFO typically range between $10,000 to $90,000 per year with a median budget of around $30,000

Indirect Costs

Maximum 25%. No overhead is eligible on equipment over $10,000

Project Duration

Maximum project length is 5 years (projects cannot start before April 1, 2026).

Special Notes

Indication and pursuit of matching funding sources is strongly encouraged. Please indicate the name of the funding source(s).