Protein Industries Canada moves to continuous intake for Technology Leadership projects

Consortiums interested in submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI) for a Technology Leadership Project can now submit on an ongoing basis. This means that consortiums may submit an EOI at any time, until funds are fully committed. This will help ensure projects can move through the application process in a timely manner.

Since the launch of our second tranche of funding, Protein Industries Canada has issued three calls for projects. Over these three calls $74.3 million has been approved and committed to 20 projects.

It is expected that most funds for Technology Leadership projects will be committed by the end of this fiscal year. If consortiums are interested in being a part of the innovation pipeline, they’re encouraged to submit as quickly as possible.

Project reviews will be completed as EOIs are submitted and will continue until all funds are committed.

Projects must demonstrate measurable outcomes related to the development, scale-up and commercialization of innovations in:

• Germplasm development with an aim to improve protein content, processing efficiency, quality, sensory characteristics and the development of novel ingredients.
• Ingredient Manufacturing;
• Food Processing;
• Feed products; and
• Co-product development.

EOIs will be accepted from consortiums of at least three partners, one of which must be an SME. Projects must include the use of a high-protein dryland crop such as lentils, peas, canola, fava, oat, or soy. Approved projects may receive up to 45 per cent reimbursement of eligible costs.

Interested consortiums are asked to visit proteinindustriescanada.ca/technology and fill out the form at the bottom of the page. If the project meets initial eligibility requirements, a member from Protein Industries Canada’s Program team will reach out to schedule a preliminary meeting. This first meeting must be held prior to an EOI being submitted.

In addition to opening the call for Technology Leadership Projects, Protein Industries Canada is also continuing to accept projects under the Pan-Canadian Artificial Intelligence Program Stream (PCAIS). Projects under this program stream should consider the application of artificial intelligence to support innovations in areas such as genetics, improvements in primary production, sustainability, ingredient and food formulation, quality assurance and quality control. Projects will be accepted until Aug. 30, 2024, or until funds are fully committed. More information can be found at proteinindustriescanada.ca/artificial-intelligence.