OAFT Programs & Services

Rapid Response to Business Opportunities Program*

Please note, these programs are designed to provide benefit to the “business of agriculture” in Ontario.

This program will provide up to $10,000 to cover direct costs for sales meetings (including client travel to your facility) concerning innovative agricultural products and services from Ontario. We will make a decision within two business days.

  • Applications must demonstrate innovation in agri-tech and benefit to Ontario agriculture to be eligible
  • Applicant must be able to demonstrate pre-arranged meetings with potential buyers
  • The program does not cover consultants, sales agents, product/brand representatives, trading houses, tradeshows and exploratory marketing/prospecting (there must be prior contact)

Contact [email protected] for further information.

 Rapid Response to Research Needs Program*

*NOTE* As of June 2018, this program is at capacity. We are working to open new funding opportunities for this program. Watch this space!

This program will provide up to $20,000 to a company to help solve small research hurdles or product standards testing.  We will make a decision within two business days.

  • Applications must demonstrate innovation in agri-tech and benefit to Ontario agriculture to be eligible
  • This must be a 50/50 cost sharing
  • We respect confidentiality, but require a progress report along with receipts
  • We will not accept in-kind matching dollars (i.e. employee salaries)

Contact [email protected] for further information.

*These programs are supported by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs through Growing Forward 2, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative.

Member-to-Member Program

OAFT will provide up to $10,000 for projects that any two OAFT member organizations deem worthwhile and can benefit Ontario agriculture.

Capacity Building Program

Small to mid-sized companies often have great difficulty in attracting research and development or capital assistance dollars from government programs and investors.  OAFT will provide the services of a professional writing team free of charge (to a maximum of $10,000).  Any company or organization shall simply send an email to [email protected] outlining what they wish to accomplish.  We will make a decision within two business days and contact the applicant as to investing in the writing of the project and the appropriate funding they should require.  We will also line-up letters of support for the proposal.

  • Company or organization must be willing to invest 30% minimum of project costs
  • Value to agriculture in Ontario will be a key
  • Note – OAFT  is not reimbursed if the project is successful
  • Contact [email protected]

Game Changers in Agriculture Video Series

Please visit OAFT Videos to see some of the innovative companies we work with.

Provincial Programs

Agricultural Adaptation Council

http://adaptcouncil.org/programs

Ontario Ministry of Economic Development and Innovation

http://www.mri.gov.on.ca/english/programs/default.asp

Rural Economic Development (RED) Program

http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/rural/ruralfunding/index.html

Federal Programs

Canadian Agricultural Adaptation Council (CAAP)

http://www.agr.gc.ca/eng/programs-and-services/list-of-programs-and-services/canadian-agricultural-adaptation-program-2014-2019/

Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario)

http://www.feddevontario.gc.ca/eic/site/723.nsf/eng/h_00122.html

Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada – Going Global Innovation (GGI)

http://tradecommissioner.gc.ca/index.aspx?lang=eng

National Research Council of Canada – Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP)

http://www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/eng/ibp/irap.html