$134M to boost commercialization of agri-based innovation

Winnipeg, MB – A new program to focus on commercialization of new agri-based products, processes and services has received $134 million in funding from the federal government. Called the Agri-Opportunities Program, it is part of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, and will help to get ideas from the drawing board into the market.

Funding will be provided for projects that can be expected to increase market opportunities for the Canadian agricultural industry across the value chain and generate demand for primary agricultural products.

To be eligible for funding, projects must meet the following basic eligibility criteria:

– be focused on agri-food, agriculture and bioproducts that are not commercially produced or available in Canada;

– be ready to commercialize, meaning a prototype has been developed, a market has been defined, a business plan has been written and intellectual property issues have been finalized; and

– be conducted in Canada and benefit the Canadian agricultural industry.

Individuals, producers, agri-businesses, cooperatives, non-profit and for-profit organizations and academia are eligible to apply for the funding, which will be delivered through contribution agreements. Maximum contribution per project and per applicant will be capped at $10 million over a five-year period.