Sponsor

Talent Innovation Canada (TICAN)

Program

Agri-Food Industry Research Placements with Arrell Food Institute (AFI)

For More Information

Talent Innovation Canada with Arrell Food Institute [1]
TICAN Website [2]

Description

Arrell Food Institute (AFI) at the University of Guelph has partnered with Talent Innovation Canada (TICAN) to attract, train and retain the next generation of agri-food innovators by connecting highly skilled graduate students and postdoctoral scholars with Canadian agri-food companies.

Through this partnership, TICAN offers paid industry research placements embedded within a student’s graduate degree program or a postdoctoral scholar’s research program. Participants complete thesis, dissertation or postdoctoral research while working with Canadian agri-food companies to develop and scale practical technologies and solutions that strengthen Canada’s food system, economy and climate resilience.

Placements may include on-site, hybrid or partner-embedded work, depending on the project and industry partner needs.

TICAN-AFI Application Q&A Webinar: Applicants are invited to attend a TICAN-AFI Application Q&A webinar on Wednesday, June 24, from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. ET.

The session will include a brief introduction to the TICAN program with Arrell Food Institute, followed by an opportunity to ask TICAN and AFI representatives questions about the application, review and hiring process, as well as what to expect during placements.

 Register online for the webinar: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_4yO5E0rnRQ2X7uw4CfQQrA [3]

Eligibility

TICAN agri-food placements are open to University of Guelph graduate students and postdoctoral scholars.

To be eligible, applicants must be:

• Enrolled in a thesis-based master’s program and entering semester 3, 4 or 5 of full-time studies as of September 1, 2026
• Enrolled in a doctoral program and entering semester 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 of full-time studies as of September 1, 2026, with qualifying examinations completed
• A University of Guelph postdoctoral scholar

Applicants must also have the support of their advisor or supervisor and be willing to direct their research toward developing solutions that grow food with lower environmental impact and align with industry-identified priorities and project needs.

International graduate students at the University of Guelph who are eligible to work in Canada may apply.

Strong applications will demonstrate:

• Experience or involvement with agri-food companies or organizations
• Interest in applied research
• Comfort with industry collaboration
• Alignment between the applicant’s research and available industry projects
• Interest in commercialization or innovation
• An interdisciplinary mindset

Funding Availability

Participants will receive funding through the TICAN program with AFI.

• Master’s students: $80,000 over eight months
• PhD students and postdoctoral scholars: $160,000 over 16 months

The funding package is provided directly to the participant and includes a $35,000 minimum salary from the industry partner and a $45,000 research stipend from AFI per eight-month term.

Indirect Costs

Not Applicable

Project Duration

For the 2026–27 cohort, placements will begin in Fall 2026.

Placements are typically:

• Eight months for master’s students
• 16 months for PhD students and postdoctoral scholars

Additional cohorts are expected to begin in Fall 2027 and Fall 2028.

Special Notes

Available Industry Projects

Applicants are currently being recruited based on a portfolio of proposed industry research projects. These opportunities are subject to final funding approval and may be refined as industry partners finalize project scopes and research priorities.

Current industry partners [4] include:

• Biophi
• Canadian Alliance for Net-Zero Agri-food
• Farm Credit Canada
• Genuine Taste
• Growcer
• Maia Farms
• McCain Foods Canada
• Semex
• YEX Bio 

Applicants should indicate their preferred project or projects in their cover letter. Applicants may also be considered for other placement opportunities that align with their skills, experience, academic background and research interests.

How to Apply

To apply for a TICAN agri-food placement, submit the following to ticanapplications@uoguelph.ca:

• A statement of research interests and personal motivations for your project or projects of choice
• A current C.V
• Unofficial transcript(s), for master’s and doctoral students only
• A reference letter from your thesis advisor or postdoctoral supervisor indicating their support for the placement

Applicants who are already matched with an industry partner should also include a brief description of the business, including:

• Business name and website
• Name and contact information for the industry supervisor
• Location
• Overview of the business and its core mission
• Overview of the project and intended impact

Industry partners must meet all TICAN application requirements to be eligible. Industry projects are subject to review and approval by TICAN.