Through the Strategic Innovation Fund, the Government of Canada has launched a new funding competition for national scale initiatives in automation and digital technology applications in the agriculture and agri-food sector. Funding of between $10 million and $50 million will be provided to a successful applicant in the competition.
Funding of between $10 million and $50 million will be provided to a successful applicant in the competition.
For the competition, the government is seeking applications for funding from networks of private sector companies, researchers, and nonprofit organizations that will work collaboratively to develop and deliver applications.
“Digital innovation and technologies have the power to improve food safety, reduce the environmental impacts of agriculture and food production, and create good middle-class jobs,” said Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development. “Our government is taking action to ensure our agriculture and agri-food sectors continue to punch above their weight in a competitive global market while delivering good, healthy and sustainable food to Canadians and international markets at a fair price.”
The announcement comes less than a month after the federal government announced an $800 million injection to the Strategic Innovation Fund as part of its fall economic update.
Full proposal requirements can be viewed here. Applicants will have until January 11, 2019 to submit a Declaration of Intent, and until March 1, 2019 to submit a full application for funding.