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Research and Innovation
Science, Research
and Innovation
Research and Innovation
Accepting Letters of Intent (LOI) until 11:59PM on April 24, 2025
Program guidelines have been revised for this intake. Please review carefully to ensure eligibility before applying.
The Research and Innovation Program supports the development of science-based solutions and tools that address known challenges, prepare for potential disruptions and climate threats, and capture emerging opportunities in the agriculture and agri-food sector. The Program provides funding to eligible applicants for basic and applied research and capacity building projects that advance the growth and sustainability of the sector by fast-tracking the pace of innovation. This can include the development of new technologies and practices, new products, and the advancement of knowledge.
There are two funding streams available for research and innovation financial assistance:
- Basic and Applied Research: includes basic discovery research that seeks to expand knowledge and projects that attempt to find practical solutions for specific problems.
- Capacity Building: includes only the purchase of research equipment ($10,000 or greater) and equipment specific training to help build research and innovation capacity in Manitoba.
Intake Information
- The intake for this program is currently open; Letters of Intent (LOI) will be accepted from March 13, 2025, to 11:59PM on April 24, 2025.
- Letters of Intent must be received by April 24, 2025, to be considered for funding. LOIs will not be accepted after this deadline.
Eligible Applicants
The Research and Innovation program is open to:
- Agri-processors
- Indigenous Groups (government, communities, tribal councils, associations, and organizations)
- Industry Organizations
- Primary Producers
- Research Institutions
- Service Providers
All applicants who identify as a researcher (including academic institutions) or a Government of Canada department or agency will be required to identify at least one non-researcher, non-government co-applicant to be eligible for funding. In that case, the co-applicant must be either a primary producer, an agri-processor, an industry organization, or an agri-food related service provider (non-research).
Eligible Expenses
The following expenses are eligible for funding:
- Incremental salaries, wages, and benefits
- Subcontracted services
- Professional fees
- Knowledge transfer
- Facility and equipment rentals (including laboratory equipment and facility)
- Materials and supplies
- Travel expenses (related to knowledge transfer and project activities which occur within North America)
- Provincial Sales Tax (PST)
- Overhead up to ten per cent of total approved expenses
- Capacity building, including capital equipment
- Capital equipment is research equipment and specific equipment training greater than $10,000
Please refer to the program guide for more details on eligible and ineligible expenses.
Focus Areas
When applying for funding, applicants are encouraged to focus on one of the following areas:
- Agri-Resource Management
- Economic and Market Analysis
- Grain Innovation and Crop Production
- Livestock Production
- Processing and Value-Added
Project Timeline
- Projects may be single or multi-year.
- All projects shall start on April 1, 2026 or later.
- Project activities must be completed, and all reports submitted on or before December 31, 2027.
Cost Share Funding
The R&I program projects are cost shared between government and the applicant. The cost share ratio varies depending on the funding stream, total project cost and if the project results in Intellectual Property (IP) or requests confidential results.
| Funding Stream |
IP or Confidentiality Required |
Cost Share (gov:applicant) |
|
Basic and Applied Research |
NO | 70:30 on first $100,000 |
| 60:40 on remaining amount over $100,000 | ||
| YES | 50:50 | |
| Capacity Building | N/A | 50:50 |
Please refer to the Program Guide for more details.
Application Process
Funding requests for this program are part of a two-stage review process:
Stage 1: Completion of a Letter of Intent.
Stage 2: Once the LOI review process is complete, applicants with eligible projects will be invited to submit a full proposal through the completion of an Application Worksheet (to be provided through the follow up invitation process).
Additional Information and Documents
Viewing Forms: left click on the file name below and the form will open in your web browser.
Completing Forms: to complete the Letter of Intent, right click on the file name below, select "Save link as" and save document to your desktop. Open document by selecting file name from desktop, ensuring that the document is being opened with Adobe. If there are any issues in opening the form(s), please ensure that you have installed the most up-to-date version of Adobe.
Terms and Conditions Program Guide Letter of Intent Sample Agreement