Amount: 75% cost-share funding of total eligible costs, to a maximum of either $20,000 or $30,000 cost-share per project depending on project category.

Eligibility Criteria

The applicant must be a legally recognized entity as defined below, who must:

  • Be in compliance with all Requirements of Law and agree to remain in compliance with all Requirements of Law for the duration of the project;
  • Provide a Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) Business Number as part of the Partnership application process, if applicable;
  • Be involved in the agriculture, agri-food and agri-products sectors, and;
  • Be capable of entering into a funding agreement with the Province of Ontario.

Not-For-profit

 

A legally recognized entity that is:

  • A registered charity, as defined in the Income Tax Act (Canada), and remains in good standing with the CRA; or
  • A corporation incorporated as a not-for-profit corporation or similar entity under an Act of Canada or a province or territory of Canada and is in good standing under that Act; and
  • Has operations in Ontario (i.e., located in Ontario) and, where applicable, has;
  • A membership composed primarily of Ontario residents/businesses/organizations.

For-Profit

 

A legally recognized entity engaged in a business that has:

  • Operations in Ontario; and
  • Has a valid and up-to-date Premises Identification Number* (Premises ID) for the business location where the project is to take place.

 

Eligible Project Category Descriptions

 

Assessment and Planning for Market Development

 

Purpose of Project Category

 

Projects will focus on supporting applicants to develop plans and assessments to access new and emerging or expanding domestic or export markets.

Available cost-share

 

  • 75 per cent cost-share funding of total eligible costs, to a maximum of $20,000 cost-share per project.

Eligible Activities

 

  • Market analysis, research, and assessment for existing or expanding markets
  • Development of business, marketing, strategic or export plans for developing a new and/or expanding market
  • Investigation of regulatory requirements or standards for new markets

Accessing Markets and Development of Products or Processes – Domestic

 

Purpose of Project Category

 

Projects will focus on supporting applicants to implement marketing plans that focus on sector diversification to help access or expand new or existing domestic markets.

Available cost-share

 

  • 75 per cent cost-share funding of total eligible costs, to a maximum of $30,000 cost-share per project.

Eligible Activities and Expenditures

 

  • Implementation of a marketing plan, including (but not limited to):
    • Brand development, focus groups or consumer studies
    • In-store product demonstration
    • Planning, organizing and/or participating in trade shows (beyond normal business) and other marketing events in Canada
    • Sales, marketing and promotional activities
    • Travel and meal expenses related to investigative domestic travel for the purpose of assessing new or emerging markets
    • Translator or translation services required for domestic investigative travel for the purpose of assessing new or emerging markets, including trade mission fees.
  • Specially produced product samples (not from normal production) for market research, tradeshow and/or specific events (e.g., lab or pilot plant samples made specifically for marketing purposes)
  • Shipping product samples for tradeshows and not intended for re-sale
  • Labeling and packaging development and production for a trial run, excluding the cost of the normal production run of the packaging
  • One-time testing of products to meet established standards, certifications or market requirements, including analytical and quality testing
  • Understanding the logistics of delivery to new markets, including, but not limited to, components such as freight costs, feasibility, travel time, transportation modes, etc.

Accessing Markets and Development of Products or Processes – International

 

Purpose of Project Category

 

Projects will focus on supporting applicants to implement marketing plans that focus on sector diversification to help access or expand new or existing export markets.

Available cost-share

 

  • 75 per cent cost-share funding of total eligible costs, to a maximum of $30,000 cost-share per project.

Eligible Activities and Expenditures

 

  • Implementation of a marketing plan, including (but not limited to):
    • Brand development, focus groups or consumer studies
    • In-store product demonstration
    • Planning, organizing and/or participating in trade shows (beyond normal business) and other marketing events abroad
    • Sales, marketing and promotional activities
    • Travel and meal expenses related to investigative international travel for the purpose of assessing new or emerging markets
    • Translator or translation services required for international investigative travel for the purpose of assessing new or emerging markets, including trade mission fees.
  • Specially produced product samples (not from normal production) for market research, tradeshow and/or specific events (e.g., lab or pilot plant samples made specifically for marketing purposes)
  • Shipping product samples for tradeshows and not intended for re-sale
  • Labeling and packaging development and production for a trial run, excluding the cost of the normal production run of the packaging
  • One-time testing of products to meet established standards, certifications or market requirements, including analytical and quality testing
  • Understanding the logistics of delivery to new markets, including, but not limited to, components such as freight costs, feasibility, travel time, transportation modes, etc.