Canadian Food Innovation Network (CFIN)

Amount of Funding

Funding amounts vary according to each unique stream:

CFIN Innovation Booster stream:

• CFIN Innovation Booster funds up to 50% of eligible expenses for projects ranging from $20K-$200K in total costs;

• Costs incurred before project approval will not be eligible; and

• If a project is approved, it will be subject to a management fee of 5% of total project costs and will be charged by CFIN.

CFIN Challenge stream:

• Up to 50% of eligible expenses for projects ranging from $1 million – $4 million in total costs;

• All successful applicants will need to pay a non-refundable project management fee to CFIN, accounting for 5% of project costs, if approved.

Eligible Applicants

CFIN Innovation Booster stream:

• Businesses need to have less than 500 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees;

• Applicants should have fewer than $50 million in taxed revenues from the company’s previous fiscal year;

• Applicants should be incorporated for more than one year or be a limited liability partnership (LLP). Two years of review engagement or audited financials are required as part of the application process; and

• Successful applicants must be CFIN members (membership is free).

CFIN Challenge stream:

• Applicants should be focused on, industry-led, collaborative initiatives;

• Should consist of an applicant willing to take the lead and collaborative partners that are also incorporated in Canada; all parties of the collaboration should be members of CFIN;

• At least one SME (fewer than 500 employees) with lower than $50 million gross revenues annually;

• At least two independent private sector companies;

• If a larger number of partners are included, a diversity of organizations, companies and SMEs, universities, colleges, research centers, etc. is encouraged; and

• Research and development should be conducted at Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) one to seven.

Eligible Activities

CFIN Innovation Booster stream:

Successful projects should focus on research and development in the technology readiness levels (TRL) of one to seven and must fall into one of three research areas:

• Smart Product and Process Development:

  • Health and wellness products and benefits;

  • Robotic applications;

  • AI and big data; and

  • Emerging areas similar to cultured protein.

• Food System Sustainability:

  • Food waste;

  • Value recovery;

  • Circularity and upcycling;

  • Green/smart packaging; and

  • Input efficiency.

• Agile and Safe Supply Chains:

  • Logistics and supply chains;

  • Consumer analytics;

  • Food safety and security;

  • Digital supply chain solutions such as IoT, blockchain, etc.

CFIN Challenge stream:

• Projects should fall into the following three fields:

  • (1) Smart Product and Process Development: health and wellness products, robotics, AI and big data systems, and emerging products;

  • (2) Food System Sustainability: such as food waste, value recovery, circularity and upcycling, eco-friendly packaging, and increased efficiencies; and

  • (3) Agile and Safe Supply Chains: logistics and supply chains, consumer analysis, food safety and security, and digital supply chain solutions.

• Costs such as direct labor, materials, and equipment may be eligible;

• Activities such as Industrial research for the discovery of knowledge aimed at developing new technology-driven products, processes, and services at early stage TRLs; and

• The advancement and development of new tech into product-specific applications at middle or late stage TRLs. Projects may cover a broad range of TRLs through activities from research to near commercialization.

Deadline to Apply

Program timelines vary according to each unique stream. Speak with a member of our team about current intakes for this program and other funding programs your business may be eligible for.