Grains Innovation Fund
The Grains Innovation Fund is no longer accepting applications for the 2025 cohort, please check back in summer 2025 to apply for the 2026 cohort
The 2026 Grains Innovation Fund is now accepting applications! See the official announcement here. The Grains Innovation Fund seeks to support projects that will drive growth and innovation in Ontario’s grain end-use markets. This initiative provides project-based funding for the development and commercialization of new and reformulated products and processes that expand market demand and opportunities for Ontario barley, corn, oat, soybeans, and wheat, – including their associated crop residues.
Eligible projects can be reimbursed for 60% of project costs to a maximum of $75,000 per project.
Please see the Program Overview for more detailed information on the fund criteria, innovation themes, eligible costs, and evaluation criteria. To get started, interested companies are encouraged to contact Grain Farmers of Ontario at marketdev@gfo.ca to discuss project ideas and whether the project fits the program criteria.
Program OverviewEligibility
To qualify for a partnership with Grain Farmers of Ontario and receive monetary support under this fund a company must demonstrate, to the satisfaction of the Grain Farmers of Ontario, that the project utilizes a minimum of 40 metric tonnes per year of Ontario barley, corn, oats, soybeans and wheat crops or crop residues. (Pilot Projects using smaller volumes may be considered if scalability and utilization growth can be demonstrated).
The project must also meet at least one of the following criteria:
- Open new markets for Ontario grains or grain residues,
- Expand the use of, and demand for, Ontario grains or grain residues,
- Promote Ontario grains or grain residues as the best choice,
- Support development of novel value-added products derived from Ontario grains,
- And/or increase the value (premiums) of Ontario grains or grain residues.
Each project is subject to review by Grain Farmers of Ontario and will consider all merits of the project and benefits accruing to Ontario grain farmers, in addition to the amount of grain utilized. Please refer to the Program Overview for evaluation criteria and a list of eligible and ineligible project costs.
Amount of Funding
If a project proposal is deemed eligible, the amount of funding to be provided shall not exceed 60% of the eligible costs associated with the project, up to a limit of $75,000. Grain Farmers of Ontario reserves the right to determine the amount of funding allocated to a project based on its ability to contribute to the growth and innovation of the Ontario grain industry.
The Grains Innovation Fund provides project-based funding on a reimbursement basis. Grain Farmers of Ontario requires verifiable documentation substantiating the expenditures to release funds.
The application and review process
- To apply, interested parties are required to download and complete the Application Form.
- Applications must be submitted to rzimic@gfo.ca by Friday, October 31, 2025 at 4pm EST to be considered. Receipt of submission will be confirmed via e-mail.
- All applications will be reviewed for eligibility and completeness by , the Market Development and Sustainability team. Additional information may be requested at this stage.
- The Market Development and Sustainability Committee, which consists of farmer delegates will meet in December to review and select successful applicants, and determine how much funding each project will receive. Note: successful applicants may receive up to the full amount of funding requested.
- All applicants will be contacted and notified of their approval status. Successful applicants will enter a formal contract with Grain Farmers of Ontario which will outline the terms of the project, reporting requirements and reimbursement schedule.
Watch our webinar recording for more information
Note: This webinar was created in 2022. Funding values have changed.
Spotlight projects
Learn more about the Grains Innovation Fund
- Get inspired by past projects funded through the Grains Innovation Fund:1847 Stone Milling: Cat litter made from Ontario wheat bran
- Building the bioeconomy – Rigid insulation and organic brick replacement innovations made from Ontario corn stover
- Prisum Coatings: Ontario soybean-based paints and coatings
- Increasing domestic processing opportunities for Ontario soybeans
- Griffith Foods and Prisum Coatings Canada
Have questions? Contact our Market Development and Sustainability team at marketdev@gfo.ca.