Agri-Tech Innovation Cost-Share Program

Merit Assessment Criteria:

The Merit Assessment Criteria used to assess an application are:

1. Project Impact and Benefits:

• COVID-19 Transmission Risk is Reduced, Impact and Benefits:
• Demonstrates how the proposed technology focuses on reducing labour intensive work practices and processes often associated with high-risk COVID transmission among agri-food workers, and addresses at least one of the following labour-related benefits:
  • • Allows business to focus redeployment of workers to higher value-added activities
    • Reduces the ongoing labour shortage pressures in the sector
    • Attracts more highly skilled labour to businesses within the sector
  • Increases productivity
• Demonstrates other broad impacts/benefits that extend across multiple agri-food sectors or produce social, environmental or economic benefits beyond the immediate agri-food supply chain
• Demonstrated industry and/or agri-food supply chain support for the project (e.g. letters of support)
• Knowledge Sharing: Demonstration of an appropriate plan for knowledge translation and transfer for how learnings and results from the project will be shared, respecting intellectual property rights.

1. Technological Innovation:

• Evidence provided (e.g. credible, non-biased evidence), demonstrates how the project meets one or more of the definitions of innovation below:
  • An *invention, new technology or new process that is not currently available in the Ontario agri-food marketplace.
  • Significant modifications to the application of existing technologies/components/processes that are applied in a setting or condition for which current applications are not possible or feasible.
  • An improvement in functionality, cost or performance over an existing technology/process that is considered state-of-the-art or the current industry best practice.

*An "invention" is defined as: "A manufacturing design or any other new and useful improvement that is new or novel, that is, not commonly known or not an obvious derivative of an existing way of doing things."

• Project scope - Demonstrates that the project advances automation through robotics, artificial intelligence, digital and/or other forms of innovative technologies, that have a clear market potential and are not commercially available for wide scale application.
• Technology Readiness Level (TRL) - Demonstrates that the proposed solution is currently between TRLs 7 and 8 (inclusive), and provided justification by explaining the research and development (R&D) that has taken place to bring the solution to the stated TRLs
• The project demonstrates a realistic overall commercialization approach/business model that can successfully take the technology to market, and how the technology will benefit the sector

1. Project Feasibility:

• Demonstrated capacity and plan to undertake a successful project:
• Evidence of relevant and adequate resources, expertise and skills to undertake the project:
  • • a well-defined work plan than demonstrates how the project can achieve results within the specified budget and timeline, and indicates estimated Technology Readiness Level at each stage/milestone
    • Demonstration of a well-defined budget, with itemized costs that are substantiated (e.g. quotes, cost breakdown details etc), and necessary for the project, and align with defined eligible costs
    • Evidence of technical expertise and relevant experience to undertake project
    • Confirmed financial support from project partners and/or other entities to amplify the impact of potential funding and levels of cost-share contribution
  • Evidence of financial capacity to undertake/cash flow project (for projects with a total value of $350,000)
  • Demonstrated of a plan to mitigate potential project risks

Stacking Cost-share Funding

• Stacking of Agri-Tech Innovation cost-share funding with funding under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership is not permitted.
• Applicants can stack cost-share funding from other Provincial programs and Federal cost-share funding programs only, assuming stacking is permitted under the applicable federal program(s). However, combined federal cost-sharing funding and Agri-Tech Innovation cost-share funding cannot exceed 85% of a project's eligible costs. All project funding sources (including stacking with Federal programs) must be disclosed in the application form.

1. Your contact information, including your name, email address, and phone number.
2. A brief description of your business, including the products or services you offer.
3. A detailed description of the innovative technology you are proposing to develop or adopt, including how it addresses a specific problem or challenge in the agriculture or agri-food sector and how it will improve efficiency or productivity.
4. A project plan outlining the goals and objectives of your project, the methods you will use to achieve them, and the expected outcomes.
5. A budget outlining the resources and funding required to complete your project.
6. Your resume and a brief bio describing your education and work experience.
7. Any relevant documents, such as proof of business registration or incorporation.

You may also be required to provide references or letters of support from industry experts or mentors as part of the application process. It's a good idea to carefully review the application requirements for the Agri-Tech Innovation Cost-Share Program, as these may vary depending on the specific funding stream you are applying for.

​

​