Canadian Food Innovation Network (CFIN)

Receive up to $2M in Contribution Matching

The Canadian Food Innovation Network’s (CFIN) program is designed to support for Canadian food and beverage businesses looking to improve the industry through research and development, new product and services adoption, and innovation. CFIN aims to make Canada a leader on the global stage through two program streams: The Innovation Booster stream and the Challenge stream.

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Funding Amount

Innovation Booster stream: Up to 50% of eligible expenses for projects ranging from $20K-$200K in total costs. Costs incurred before project approval not eligible. Approved projects subject to 5% fee of total costs, charged by CFIN. Challenge stream: Up to 50% of eligible expenses for projects ranging from $1 million – $4 million in total costs; successful applicants will pay a non-refundable project management fee to CFIN, accounting for 5% of project costs, if approved.

Eligible Applicants

Innovation Booster stream: Under 500 full-time equivalent employees and fewer than $50M in taxed revenues. Should be incorporated for over one year Two years review engagement or audited financials are required. Successful applicants must be CFIN members. Challenge stream: Industry-led, collaborative initiatives consisting of one lead and collaborative partners that are all incorporated in Canada and members of CFIN. At least one SME under 500 employees with lower than $50 million gross revenues annually. Research and development should be conducted at Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) one to seven.

Eligible Activities

Innovation Booster stream: A focus on research and development in tech readiness levels of one to seven and must fall into one of three research areas: (1) Smart Product and Process Development. (2) Food System Sustainability. (3) Agile and Safe Supply Chains. Challenge stream: Projects should fall into the following three fields: (1) Smart Product and Process Development, (2) Food System Sustainability, (3) Agile and Safe Supply Chains.

Deadline to Apply

Speak with a member of our team about current intakes for this program and other funding programs your business may be eligible for.

800+

Annual Funding Applications Supported

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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.

Accessible Technology Program (ATP)

Eligible Activities

Eligible activities vary according to each unique stream:

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.

Eligible Activities