At NorthBridge, we keep up to date on all the most recent government funding updates, intake announcements and upcoming grant deadlines in Canada so you don’t have to. Each month, we will be providing a summary of the most important news in government funding. Get in touch today to learn more about each program and assess your eligibility.
For: Collaborators looking to implement technology solutions for Canada’s plant-based ecosystem
Protein Industries Canada, one of Canada’s Global Innovation Clusters, has launched a call for project proposals which invest in technology projects in the plant-based value chain, specifically in the following priority areas: genetics, crops, ingredients, and products. The Technology Leadership Program aims to expand the plant-based protein industry while increasing sustainability in the agricultural and food processing sectors. The call will focus on project proposals which use pulses and cereals (particularly wheat or barley) to produce high-protein products.
The deadline for Expressions of Interest to Protein Industries Canada’s Technology Leadership Program has been extended until February 13, 2025.
For: Ontario-based forest sector companies looking to innovate, improve productivity, expand market, or strengthen regional economies
The Forest Sector Investment and Innovation Program (FSIIP) provides funding for investments in the forestry sector which improve productivity and innovation, enhance competitiveness, support access to new markets, provide benefits to Ontario’s forest sector, and strengthen regional economies. Funding is supported through two streams: business projects and collaboration projects. Eligible applicants in the forest sector can receive up to 30% of costs covered through the program, in the form of either a grant or a loan, depending on the stream.
Applications to the first stage of the next round of funding for FSIIP will close on March 21, 2025.
For: Canadian SMEs and public research institutions looking to advance drug discovery research
CQDM’s Quantum Leap program provides support for drug discovery research to assist Canadian SMEs and universities in innovative biopharmaceutical research projects in collaboration with biopharmaceutical organizations, which have the potential to improve the drug discovery process. Successful applicants can receive up to $1.2 million in non-repayable funding to cover costs related to the development of technologies for use by CQDM pharmaceutical members.
Applications to the next selection round are due by February 20, 2025.
For: SMEs looking to advance food innovations and research outcomes
Canada Food Innovation Network (CFIN)’s Innovation Booster supports SMEs in addressing innovation challenges and technical hurdles being faced due to capacity limitations. Projects may receive up to 50% reimbursement and must correspond to at least one of CFIN’s priorities (Smart Product and Process Development, Food Ecosystem Sustainability, and/or Agile and Safe Supply Chains).
Applications for CFIN’s Innovation Booster will open on February 24, 2025, and close on March 25, 2025.
For: Early-stage tech companies looking to pilot innovative solutions in the food industry
Canada Food Innovation Network (CFIN)’s Food Tech Next supports early-stage Canadian technology firms seeking to pilot technologies solving a market issue in the food industry related to one of the following priorities: Smart Product and Process Development, Food Ecosystem Sustainability, or Agile and Safe Supply Chains.
EOIs for CFIN’s Food Tech Next will open on February 24, 2025, and close on April 7, 2025.
For: Saskatchewan-based agricultural organizations looking to commercialize agriculture technologies
The Agtech Growth Fund, delivered by Innovation Saskatchewan, is an R&D funding program which aims to accelerate the commercialization of innovations in Saskatchewan’s agricultural sector. Areas of focus include digital agriculture hardware/software, smart farm equipment, animal health, agrifood supply chain, and agricultural marketplace and fintech, with up to $450,000 in grants available for costs including capital expenditures, salaries, IP protection, and more.
The Agtech Growth Fund (AGF) will be accepting Expressions of Interest until April 30, 2025.
For: Companies based in Newfoundland and Labrador looking to advance mineral discoveries
The Junior Exploration Assistance program supports mineral exploration activities in Newfoundland and Labrador, with the aim of growing the mineral inventory and increasing the competitiveness of the province as a mineral exploration destination. Projects based in Newfoundland can receive up to $150,000 in grants, while projects based in Labrador can receive up to $225,000.
The 2025 call for applications for Junior Exploration Assistance has opened, with Letters of Interest due by June 20, 2025.
If you’re interested in any of these program offerings, or have questions about deadlines, eligibility, or other government funding programs in Canada, contact NorthBridge for a free assessment with one of our experts.