The governments of Canada and Ontario are investing an additional $3.5 million in the Ontario Agri-Food Research Initiative (OAFRI) to support the development and adoption of new technologies for farmers, food processors and agri-businesses that will enhance their competitiveness and growth. Funded through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP) between Ontario and Canada, this additional intake will support investments in the applied research, pilot and demonstration, and knowledge translation and transfer streams.

Quick Facts:

• The next OAFRI applied research, pilot and demonstration and knowledge translation and transfer (KTT) streams will open on October 15, 2024. The applied research and pilot and demonstration streams are expected to be further targeted compared to the earlier intake. More information will be available on the OAFRI website.
• Bioenterprise Canada Corporation delivers the Commercialization stream and the Grow Ontario Accelerator Hub. The Grow Ontario Accelerator Hub is open on a continuous basis until all spots are filled. The next Commercialization stream intake will open on October 2, 2024; more information is available online.
• Agricultural Research and Innovation Ontario (ARIO) provides strategic advice on research and innovation activities that contribute to a prosperous, competitive and sustainable agricultural and food sector.
• Sustainable CAP is a five-year (2023-2028), $3.5-billion investment by federal‐provincial and territorial governments to strengthen the agriculture, agri‐food and agri‐based products sectors. Ontario’s total share will be $569 million. It will help achieve the goals outlined in Ontario’s Grow Ontario Strategy, which includes growing the market for Ontario-led innovative technologies domestically and globally and enabling more than 250 patents and licenses are granted through the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness-funded research by 2032.

Full details are available here.