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: Canadian SMEs looking to develop innovative solutions

Innovative Solutions Canada offers funding to innovators capable of solving specific challenges, with the aim of supporting technologies to market. Challenges currently open include Radio frequency-free wireless communications for secure access, Plastics challenge: Improving the collection or sorting of plastic film and flexible packaging, and Optical fiber sensor interrogator, with deadlines in November. 

Applications to the Radio frequency-free wireless communications for secure access are due by November 2, 2023, applications to Plastics challenge: Improving the collection or sorting of plastic film and flexible packaging are due by November 8, 2023, and applications to Optical fiber sensor interrogator are due by November 15, 2023.

For: Ontario-based companies looking to perform agri-food research

Funded by the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP), the Ontario Agri-Food Research Initiative (OAFRI) will be investing research and innovation activities in the agri-food sector, in addition to supporting sector resiliency and market opportunity expansion. The program consists of four streams: applied research; pilot and demonstration; commercialization; and knowledge translation and transfer. Applications to the program will open on November 2, 2023.

For: Canadian SMEs looking to develop novel use cases for fault-tolerant quantum computers

The National Research Council of Canada (NRC) has launched a call for proposals through the Applied Quantum Computing Challenge program. The call will support Canada’s National Quantum Strategy through funding for collaboration in the quantum computing community. The program consists of 3 funding streams, including Quantum algorithms for Hamiltonian simulation, Quantum algorithms for linear algebra, and Quantum algorithms for differential equations.

EOIs to the Applied Quantum Computing Challenge are due by November 10, 2023. 

For: BC-based primary processors looking to improve preparedness in BC’s agricultural sector

The Investment Agriculture Foundation of BC (IAF) aims to provide assistance to BC’s agricultural sector. IAF’s $20-million Food Security Emergency Planning and Preparedness Fund will support the development of emergency plans and preparedness strategies. The program consists of two streams: Planning and Preparedness, Infrastructure and Equipment, which may include equipment purchases and retrofits, training, increasing capacity, and more.

Applications to Food Security Emergency Planning and Preparedness Fund will be accepted until December 19, 2023.

For: Canadian companies looking to adopt new technologies in the forestry sector

The Investments in Forestry Industry Transformation (IFIT) supports Canadian organizations in adopting transformative technologies and products in the forestry sector. Specifically, the program aims to improve the forestry sector’s environmental performance through a Capital Investment projects stream and a Studies stream.

The final deadline for Investments in Forestry Industry Transformation (IFIT) in 2023 will be on December 31, 2023, with more deadlines to come in 2024.

For: Canadian companies looking to develop AI solutions to assist first responders in decision making

The Canadian Safety and Security Program (CSSP) supports projects which contribute to the safety and security of Canadians through collaborations between government, industry, and academia. Intake for a new challenge, Lighting the path with AI: Advanced analytics and decision support for first responders has opened, with proposals sought in big data, responder analytics, AI tools, and situational awareness supports. Grants of up to $2 million are available for projects ending no later than June 2027.

The deadline for the latest Canadian Safety and Security Program challenge are on November 15, 2023.

For: Canadian SMEs looking to advance food innovation and research outcomes

Canada Food Innovation Network (CFIN)’s Food Innovation Challenge supports food industry collaborators involved in innovative project which will advance the food sector and generate significant economic impact. The program will be closed until 2025.