Funding Calls

How Do We Select the Projects We Fund?

Please note that the process described below is exclusive to CAAIN funding calls supported by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada. It is not relevant to the Prairie Agtech Validation Program.

We do not hand over money and then walk away from the recipients. Instead, we partner with groups that respond to a particular funding call and successfully navigate a defined three-step process, reimbursing up to 40% of the eligible costs they incur over the life of their project. The three steps are:

1. Project Application
   This initial step is open to applicants from across Canada who feel their agri-food innovation meets the parameters of the funding call in question. To make it past this stage, project groups must be Canadian and include at least two small or medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). They are required only to fill out and submit a short form providing a high-level summary of their concept and a brief description of their team’s composition.
2. Expression of Interest
   This phase is by invitation only and indicates that the applicant has met a minimum standard and is asked to provide significantly more project information, including an abbreviated financial workbook. The information submitted is evaluated by the CAAIN Technology and Science Advisory Committee (TSAC), a panel of external experts who recommend which submissions move on to the final stage.
3. Full Project Proposal
   The third step in the process is also invitation only, and requires the applicants to complete and submit a comprehensive project description, including a full financial workbook. The documentation is reviewed by TSAC, which passes along its recommendations to CAAIN’s Board of Directors for final funding  approval.

For complete details, we invite you to download the Program Guide of the funding call to which you wish to apply, or email your questions to info@caain.ca.

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