Ontario Agri-Food Research Initiative (OAFRI)
Eligibility & Details
What this program funds and who can apply
Program Description
Competitive grants of up to $200,000 per project for Ontario-based researchers, industry organizations, and businesses to conduct agri-food applied research, pilot/demonstration, and knowledge transfer projects. Jointly funded under the 5-year Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP).
Eligibility Requirements
- Lead applicant must be located in Ontario
- Eligible applicants: universities, colleges, research organizations, industry organizations, for-profit businesses, NGOs, municipal or Indigenous governments
- Must demonstrate capacity to perform quality research or innovation
- Project must align with at least one published OMAFA research priority area
- Cannot have outstanding progress reports from prior OMAFA-funded projects
- Federal/provincial government researchers ineligible as lead (can collaborate)
Quick Assessment
Funding Details
- Amount
- Up to $150,000 (Applied Research); up to $200,000 (Pilot & Demo)
- Type
- Grant
- Level
- Provincial
- Co-Funding
- Up to 100% of eligible costs
- Deadline
- Between intakes (next intake TBD under Sustainable CAP)
Program Scorecard
Competition, effort, and approval at a glance
Everything you need to win OAFRI — $19
Not a marketing summary. The actual checklist, intel, and stack strategy reviewers look for.
- 6-document checklist with what each reviewer is actually checking
- 6-step application timeline with prep hours per step
- Insider tip from program officers on what separates winners
- 3-program stacking strategy to combine with compatible funding
- Success profile + evaluation criteria — exactly what reviewers score on
Applying for OAFRI? Our Grant Proposal Template ($19) mirrors the section structure Canadian reviewers actually score on. Or get all 4 templates in the Founder Pack ($59 · saves $27) →
How to Win
Insider tips, common pitfalls, and what successful applicants look like
Insider TipAlign your proposal with the published OMAFA research priority areas — proposals that don't clearly address a priority are screened out early. Industry organizations and businesses are explicitly eligible as leads, not just universities. The Commercialization stream (via Bioenterprise) has different intake timing and criteria. Indirect costs capped at 25% for research bodies. Indigenous Elder honoraria ($250 half-day, $500 full-day) are eligible costs.
Success Profile
Ontario universities, colleges, and industry organizations conducting applied agri-food research with clear paths to adoption. Businesses developing new agri-food technologies, products, or practices at TRL 1-9. Projects with strong industry partner involvement.
Evaluation Criteria
Peer-reviewed on scientific merit, alignment with OMAFA priorities, feasibility and methodology, team qualifications, industry impact potential, and value for money.
Application Playbook
Step-by-step process, required documents, and expenses
Application Steps
Required Documents 6
Eligible Expenses 7
- Direct operating costs (materials, supplies, reagents)
- Personnel costs for research staff
- Equipment directly required for the project
- Communication and knowledge transfer costs
- Indigenous Elder honoraria ($250 half-day, $500 full-day)
- Workshop organization and materials
- Indirect costs up to 25% for research bodies
Ineligible Expenses 4
- Capital construction or building costs
- Land acquisition
- Costs incurred before project approval
- Ongoing operating expenses not related to the project
Intake Periods
Periodic intakes under Sustainable CAP framework (through 2028). Check OMAFA announcements for upcoming windows.
Deadline Notes
OAFRI operates under the 5-year Sustainable CAP framework (through 2028). Most streams had intakes close in January 2025. Commercialization intake closed October 2025. New intakes expected — check ontario.ca for announcements.
Open Application Portal →Ineligible Organizations
- Federal government departments
- Provincial government departments
- Organizations outside Ontario
Funding Stack Strategy
Compatible programs, clawback risk, and combined funding potential
Compatible Programs
Clawback Risk
Low RiskStandard research grant — funds reimbursed after expenses. Clawback possible if project abandoned or misuse of funds.
How OAFRI Compares
Side-by-side with similar programs
| Program | Amount | Difficulty | Payment | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ontario Agri-Food Research Initiative... | Up to $150,000 | Hard | Reimbursement | Between intakes (next... |
| NSERC Alliance Advantage Grants | $20,000-$1,000,000 | Moderate | Advance Payment | Ongoing — rolling intake... |
| CanExport SMEs | Up to $50,000 | Moderate | Mixed (Advance + Reimb.) | Next deadline: May 29,... |
| Export Development Canada (EDC) Finan... | Varies | Easy | Equity | Ongoing |
| Farm Credit Canada (FCC) Financing | Varies | Easy | Loan | Ongoing |
Related Programs
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Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to the questions founders most often ask about OAFRI