CAAIN 2025 New Canadian Agribusiness Funding Competitions

Canada’s agriculture businesses are planting the seeds for a technologically advanced future, and the Canadian Agri-Food Automation and Intelligence Network (CAAIN) is at the forefront.  

With the launch of its 2025 funding competitions announced early May, CAAIN invites innovators in the agriculture and food processing sectors to accelerate their groundbreaking research and innovation.  

The competitions aim to advance automation, robotics, data-driven decision-making, and smart farming technologies across four distinct agricultural categories: Broadacre Farming, Livestock Innovation, Primary Food Processing, and Small Acre Cropping. 

 

CAAIN Broadacre Farming Competition 

The Broadacre Farming competition is designed for large-scale agricultural operations aiming to harness advanced technology to increase productivity, efficiency, and sustainability. By supporting agriculture projects in automation, robotics, and data-driven decision-making, this CAAIN competition aims to modernize Canada’s extensive farming practices, benefiting both the economy and environment. 

Funding Amount:  

Up to 40% of eligible project costs, maximum $600,000 per project. 

Eligible Applicants: 

Canadian organizations involved in multistakeholder collaborations, including academic institutions, not-for-profits, and for-profit entities. At least two SMEs (<500 employees) must contribute financially. 

Eligible Activities: 

Projects must advance automation and robotics, enhance data-driven decision-making tools, or develop smart farm platforms specifically for large-scale crop cultivation (minimum 100 acres). 

Timeline: 

Three-stage competitive application process, approximately five months from the initial submission to project approval. 

CAAIN Livestock Innovation Competition 

The Livestock Innovation competition supports technological advancements tailored to livestock production. By promoting automation and smart technologies, this CAAIN competition seeks to improve animal health, enhance farm productivity, and ensure long-term commercial viability for livestock producers, making it a top choice among Canadian livestock funding programs. 

Funding Amount: 

Up to 40% of eligible expenses, maximum $500,000 per project. 

Eligible Applicants: 

Canadian-based project teams involving multiple stakeholders; cash contributions required from at least two SMEs. 

Eligible Activities: 

Automation and robotics enhancements, data-based decision-making tools, and smart farm platform implementations aimed at commercial livestock production, significantly benefiting farmers seeking government grants for cattle farmers. 

Timeline: 

Three-stage competitive application process, approximately five months from the initial submission to project approval. 

CAAIN Primary Food Processing Competition 

The Primary Food Processing competition addresses innovations that enhance the quality, safety, and shelf-life of processed agricultural products. This CAAIN competition supports projects that integrate advanced robotics, automation, and data analytics, helping Canada’s food processors stay competitive on a global scale. 

Funding Amount: 

Up to 40% of eligible expenses, maximum $500,000 per project. 

Eligible Applicants: 

Canadian project teams with involvement from academic, non-profit, and for-profit organizations, including financial contributions from at least two SMEs. 

Eligible Activities: 

Projects focused on automation, robotics, data-driven decision-making, and smart farm technologies for initial processing of raw agricultural products (e.g., grains, oilseeds, fruits, vegetables). 

Timeline: 

Three-stage competitive application process, approximately five months from the initial submission to project approval. 

CAAIN Small Acre Cropping Competition 

The Small Acre Cropping competition supports technological innovation specifically designed for smaller-scale and specialized crop production. Projects funded by this CAAIN competition enhance precision, reduce operational risks, and promote sustainability, directly benefiting producers of high-value crops such as fruits, microgreens, and vegetables. 

Funding Amount: 

Up to 40% of eligible expenses, maximum $500,000 per project. 

Eligible Applicants: 

Canadian entities collaborating across academic, not-for-profit, and for-profit sectors; financial contributions from at least two SMEs required. 

Eligible Activities: 

Projects involving automation, robotics, data-driven decision-making tools, or smart farm platforms for specialized, high-value crop production (up to 100 acres). 

Timeline: 

Three-stage competitive application process, approximately five months from initial submission to project approval. 

Eligibility and Application Requirements 

Across all four CAAIN competitions, eligibility criteria are consistent. Project teams must be:  

• Canadian-based, involving diverse stakeholders, including academic institutions, not-for-profits, and for-profit entities;  
• Must note that while international collaboration is encouraged, funding flows exclusively to Canadian entities;  
• Applicants must secure cash contributions from at least two Canadian small or medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) employing fewer than 500 full-time employees; and  
• Notably, financial commitments must be incremental, distinct from standard operational investments, and clearly demonstrate that projects would not be achievable at the same scale without CAAIN funding. 

Funded projects carry specific commitments, including broad dissemination of technology assessment results, contribution of research data to CAAIN-managed platforms, and active promotion of the CAAIN brand within smart farm networks. 

Join the Future of Canadian AgTech 

As Canadian agribusinesses navigate a rapidly changing technological landscape, the 2025 CAAIN Canadian farming grants offer an essential pathway to innovation, growth, and global leadership. 

“Canada’s agri-food technology sector is a hive of activity, and CAAIN has a significant role to play in supporting the rapidly expanding culture of research and innovation. Our role is to help grow nascent Canadian businesses whose successes will contribute to the long-term viability of an agri-food value chain facing significant challenges.” 
– Dr. Cornelia Kreplin, Interim CEO, CAAIN 

Our Ryan Canada Government Funding team of experts is ready to support your business through every step of the application process, ensuring your project maximizes its funding potential and impact.