Guelph ON, September 23, 2022
Bioenterprise Canada Corporation (Bioenterprise) is pleased to partner with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) to support the delivery of the Fertilizer Accelerating Solutions & Technology Challenge. The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs is supporting this project with up to $2 million in funding.
The Fertilizer Accelerating Solutions & Technology Challenge will provide funding support to Ontario-based organizations looking to commercialize technologies and solutions in the alternative fertilizer space, targeting those transitioning from research and validation phases to successful commercialization and market entry. These efforts aim to address the dependency of Ontario agriculture on imported fertilizers, as well as provide alternatives to traditional fertilizers to ensure a continuous and cost-effective supply of fertilizer products to Canadian agriculture.
Eligible projects include activities that will result in the commercialization of:
- New products that reduce dependency on fertilizer imports
- Solutions that reduce reliance on traditional fertilizers
Funding Available: 70% of the total eligible project costs up to a maximum of $200,000 per project
Minister Quote: “This is a made-in-Ontario initiative that will help to identify new tools and pathways to give Ontario farmers the confidence they need to plan for future growing seasons and to support innovative, technology-based solutions to grow the agri-food sector. Ensuring that farmers and agri-businesses have the tools and products they need to produce food close to home is vital to the sustainability of Ontario’s food security and keeping the province as a world leader in food production.”
“Ontario is once again showcasing it’s support for innovation in agriculture, and the economic benefits that will necessarily follow that support,” says Dave Smardon, CEO of Bioenterprise Canada. “The environmental impact of reducing, targeting, or finding alternatives for traditional fertilizer inputs is not just a discussion for Ontario. We will be leading the charge on new, sustainable practices that will bolster our position in a global market, and move us that much closer to Canada’s ultimate sustainability goals.”
Applicant organizations may include corporations, partnerships, sole proprietors, or unincorporated associations, including Indigenous communities or band councils based in Ontario. Eligible organizations must be located in Ontario, have project activities and costs that take place in Ontario, and have an alternative fertilizer solution (i.e., product, process, technology, or system) at or beyond Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 7 that will be brought to market by Spring 2023. Projects that will bring fertilizer solutions to market by Fall 2023 will be considered, if funding is available.
An official intake opens Wednesday, October 5th, 2022, including a Project Guidelines document, application documents, and information on how to apply. Keep an eye on your inbox for the intake announcement. A virtual information session will also be held on Thursday, October 13th, 2022, at 10am EST with an opportunity for Q&A with the program administrators. In the meantime, you can direct any questions to submissions@bioenterprise.ca.
Not yet following us on social media? Follow Bioenterprise on Twitter, LinkedIn, TikTok, and subscribe to our YouTube channel for industry news, events, and business development opportunities.
