At NorthBridge, we keep up to date on all the most recent government funding updates, intake announcements and upcoming deadlines so you don’t have to. Each month, we will be providing a summary of the most important news in government funding. Get in touch today to learn more about each program and assess your eligibility.
For: BC food producers and processors looking to improve production and capacity
The BC Lean for Food Processors Program supports business skill development which allow food processors to optimize operating procedures, improve production capacity and labour productivity, strengthen business, and make more informed decisions.
Intake for the BC Lean for Food Processors Program has been extended from the original deadline until September 22, 2023.
For: Canadian SMEs looking to develop a centralized digital asset repository
Innovative Solutions Canada offers funding to innovators capable of solving specific challenges, with the aim of supporting technologies to market. The RCMP and Shared Services Canada (SSC) is currently seeking solutions for three challenges: extending the reach of ultra-long-range wireless backhaul using High Altitude Platform Systems; developing a virtual space for SSC shareholders; and providing the supply chain with verified digital credentials and product passports to achieve digital transparency and prevent supply chain fraud. SMEs can receive up to $150,000 to develop a proof of concept, with the potential to receive further funding for prototyping upon successful project completion.
Applications to Supply chain verifiable digital credentials are due by September 26, 2023. High-Altitude Platform System and Collaboration innovation hub are due by September 28, 2023.
For: Canadian businesses looking to test pre-commercial prototypes in the areas of Clean Technology, Military, or Health
Innovative Solutions Canada has opened Testing stream with challenges seeking pre-commercial innovative prototypes that can be tested in real-life settings which address general governmental priorities including Clean Technology and Climate Change, Health, and Military and Space. Within these priorities, challenges include bio-products, energy generation and storage, food security, health and disease prevention, advanced sensors, and more. Up to $2.3 million in funding is available for procurement, testing, and evaluation of late-stage prototypes.
Applications to Military and Space, Health, and Clean Technology and Climate Change are due by October 3, 2023.
For: Canadian SMEs looking to develop low-carbon construction materials or industrial heating technologies
Innovative Solutions Canada offers funding to innovators capable of solving specific challenges, with the aim of supporting technologies to market. Currently, the program is seeking low-carbon technologies to advance Canada’s net-zero targets in the construction industry and industrial heating. SMEs can receive up to $150,000 to develop a proof of concept, with the potential to receive further funding for prototyping upon successful project completion.
Applications to Low-carbon construction materials and Low-Carbon Industrial Heating Solutions are due by October 4, 2023.
For: Southern Ontario-based food and beverage processors looking to adopt clean technology
The FoodShift program, offered by Bioenterprise, is designed to assist food and beverage processors in adopting and integrating clean technology into existing operations, and conduct assessment projects to reduce food waste, adopt clean technology, and optimize processes. Eligible projects supporting the adoption and integration of clean technologies into operations can receive funding for up to 50% of project costs.
Applications to the next intake of FoodShift are due by October 6, 2023.
For: Canadian SMEs looking to develop solutions to challenges in testing for Avian influenza, replacing single-use plastics, and spectroscopy for quantum photonics
Innovative Solutions Canada offers funding to innovators capable of solving specific challenges, with the aim of supporting technologies to market. SMEs can receive up to $150,000 to develop a proof of concept, with the potential to receive further funding for prototyping upon successful project completion. Challenges in plastics reuse, spectroscopy, and avian influenza testing are currently open, with deadlines set throughout October.
Applications to Field-ready lateral flow test for avian influenza are due by October 11, 2023; applications to Spectroscopy and imaging for quantum photonics with ultrasensitive detection are due by October 18, 2023; and applications to Plastics challenge: Advancing Reuse to Replace Single-Use Plastics are due by October 24, 2023.
For: Canadian companies looking to develop technologies detect micro and mini UAS
Through the Department of National Defence’s Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security (IDEaS), Canadians have the opportunity to respond to specific challenges faced by the Canadian Armed Forces. Intake to a new challenge, Counter Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS) Concept Development has opened intake, which seeks CUAS solutions that can detect Micro and Mini UAS, with the potential for integration into military command and control systems. Initial grants of up to $500,000 are available to successful applicants.
Deadlines for the latest IDEaS challenge are on October 12, 2023, and April 15, 2024.
For: BC-based Agricultural producers looking to scale-up their business and increase food production
The Investment Agriculture Foundation of BC (IAF) aims to provide assistance to BC’s agricultural sector. IAF’s $2-million Small Food Processor Scale-Up Program supports BC’s value-added food processing sector in increasing food production and economic growth through grants worth up to 75% of project costs.
Applications to IAF Small Food Processor Scale-Up Program will be accepted from September 21 until November 2, 2023.
For: Companies looking to develop new uses for grains and grain residues in Ontario
Grain Farmers of Ontario is offering support to organizations with projects which will utilize at least 40 metric tonnes per year of Ontario barley, corn, oats, soybeans, or wheat crops/crop residues. Eligible applicants will have the opportunity to receive up to 60% of project costs to support market growth and innovative products, expand the usage of grains and grain residues, and increase the value of Ontario grains and grain residues.
Applications to the Grains Innovation Fund are due by November 3, 2023.
For: Southern Ontario-based businesses looking to scale up their business and develop innovative products and services
Through Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), up to $10 million will be provided to companies looking to develop products, improve productivity, and scale-up their business. Projects focused on clean economic growth, technology, industrial transition, and innovation-led growth, as well as inclusive growth, are eligible to receive funding of up to $10 million in the form of interest-free loans.
Applications to FedDev will be accepted until November 7, 2023.
For: Canadian SMEs and public research institutions looking to advance drug discovery research
CQDM’s Quantum Leap program provides support for drug discovery research to assist Canadian SMEs and universities in innovative biopharmaceutical research projects which have the potential to improve the drug discovery process. Successful applicants can receive up to $1.2 million in non-repayable funding to cover costs related to the development of technologies for use by CQDM pharmaceutical members.
Applications to the next selection round of Quantum Leap are due by November 16, 2023.
For: SMEs looking to advance food innovation and research outcomes
Canada Food Innovation Network (CFIN)’s Innovation Booster supports SMEs in addressing innovation challenges and technical hurdles being faced due to capacity limitations. SMEs with projects related to Smart Product and Process Development, Food Ecosystem Sustainability, or Agile and Safe Supply Chains can receive up to $100,000 in grants.
An open theme call for applications to the Innovation Booster will open on October 9, 2023, and close on November 16, 2023.
For: Ontario-based organizations looking to improve training supports and skills development
The training stream of the Skills Development Fund supports projects which stimulate growth in key sectors in Ontario’s economy and increase competitiveness by creating a resilient workforce. Funding will be provided to employers seeking to improve training and supports for Ontario companies working on projects related to skills development and improving training processes.
Applications to the Training stream of the Skills Development Fund are due by November 17, 2023.
For: Quebec-based companies looking to adopt clean technology and/or eco-responsible business practices
The Ecoleader Fund support projects involving the adoption of clean technology and/or eco-responsible business practices. Applicants can apply as either individual enterprises, or cohorts of firms, for projects which aim to improve the economic performance and productivity of the company, while reducing environmental damage. Up to 75% of costs can be covered for both the Cohorts and the Enterprises streams.
Applications to the Ecoleader Fund are due by November 30, 2023.
For: Canadian companies looking to develop quantum technologies
The Digital Supercluster and Next Generation Manufacturing Canada (NGen) are currently seeking proposals to adopt quantum technologies, including quantum sensors, quantum communications, and quantum computers and software. Digital projects must focus on applications in safety and security, operations and logistics, and material and chemical discovery, while NGen projects must demonstrate either novel advanced manufacturing tools for quantum technologies, or quantum technologies to be deployed in manufacturing.
Intake to the Digital component is ongoing. Intake deadlines for the NGen stream are on November 29, 2023, January 20, 2024, and March 2024.
For: Ontario-based meat processors looking to increase capacity of facilities
Under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP), the $10-million Meat Processors Capacity Improvement Initiative program supports projects which enhance the capacity of Ontario’s meat processing plants. Eligible activities under the program include waste management, increasing cooler and freezer capacity, animal and product handling, and more, with the opportunities to receive up to $150,000 per project.
Applications to the Meat Processors Capacity Improvement Initiative will be accepted until January 31, 2024, or until funding has been committed.