Ontario Agri-Food Research Initiative (OAFRI)
Receive up to $150K-$200K in Research Funding.
The Ontario Agri-Food Research Initiative (OAFRI) offers funding for research and innovation that stimulates the growth and competitiveness of Ontario’s agri-food sector, promotes technology to address business challenges, and expand market opportunities globally.
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Ontario Agri-Food Research Initiative (OAFRI)
Amount of Funding
- Applied Research: Up to 100% of eligible costs to a maximum of $200,000.
- Pilot and Demonstration: Up to 100% of eligible costs to a maximum of $200,000.
- Commercialization:
Project Type A: Market Validation Grants – up to 100% of eligible costs to a maximum of $30,000 per project
Project Type B: Product Development Grants – up to 100% of eligible costs to a maximum $150,000 per project
Ontario Agri-Food Research Initiative (OAFRI)
Eligible Applicants
Eligible applicants must:
- Be located in Ontario;
- Have project activities and costs that take place in Ontario with project partners and service providers located in Ontario;
- Be operating in the agriculture, agri-food, and agri-based products sectors, including technology or equipment suppliers;
- Have a product/technology/service that is unique to Ontario and does not displace existing Ontario products;
- Have projects that address at least one of the OMAFRA key research priority areas, and the Initiative objectives; and
- Be part of one of the following:
- A university or college;
- A research organization, institute, or foundation;
- An industry organization or business;
- A non-government organization; or
- A municipal or indigenous government or government agency.
10 approved OMAFRA Research Priority Areas: Food Safety, Animal Welfare & Health, Plant Health & Protection, Soil Health, Water Quality and Quantity, Sustainable Production Systems, Productive Land Capacity, Competitive Productions Systems, Innovative Products & Product Improvements, Trade Market & Targeted Sector Growth Opportunities.
Ontario Agri-Food Research Initiative (OAFRI)
Eligible Activities
- Applied Research (early stage TRL up to level 5):
Applied research projects use the process of scientific investigation (including lab work and experiments) to find solutions to existing problems. - Pilot and Demonstration (TRL 5 to 6):
The goal of the pilot and demonstration stream is to fund projects that focus on the development of a model or prototype of new technology. - Commercialization (TRL 7 to 9):
Commercialization stream funding is focused on scaling innovative technologies, products and services to the real world or commercial environment
Project Type A: Market Validation (TRL 4-5): to conduct research to determine the size and quality of the market opportunity for new and promising technology, product or service with the goal of determining if there is any market potential.
Project Type B: Product Development (TRL 6+): to create prototypes, perform field trials, remove any barriers to a market launch or private sector adoption and optimize a minimum viable product that best meets customer needs.
Ontario Agri-Food Research Initiative (OAFRI)
Program Deadline
The application deadline for all streams is on January 11, 2024.
Commercialization Program Timelines:
- Project duration is up to 18 months.
- Suggested project start dates are after April 1, 2024.
- Projects cannot start prior to approval date and projects must be completed no later than September 30, 2025.
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