Deadline: 4-Nov-22
The Fertilizer Accelerating Solutions & Technology Challenge invites Ontario-based organizations with products and solutions in the alternative fertilizer space to lead commercialization projects.
The Fertilizer Accelerating Solutions & Technology Challenge promotes the commercialization of solutions in the alternative fertilizer space. The main objectives are to transition alternative fertilizer solutions from research and validation phases to successful commercialization and market entry. This will address the dependency of Ontario agriculture on imported fertilizers, as well as provide alternatives to traditional fertilizers to ensure a continuous and cost-effective supply of fertilizer products to Canadian agriculture.
Objectives
The Challenge will directly accelerate agricultural technologies to market, bolstering rural business growth and agri-food sector performance. Eligible projects should align with the objectives outlined by OMAFRA that further support Ontario’s agri-food sector:
- Enhance safety and risk management practices in the agri-food sector;
- Encourage agri-food and rural development outcomes of agriculture, food, and rural affairs; and
- Address risks in the fertilizer supply chain and drive economic benefits back into the Canadian ecosystem.
Funding Information
- The total funding available through the Challenge is $2 million over a 14-month period from September 8, 2022 through to November 15, 2023.
- Applicants can request up to 70% of the total budget (Eligible Project Costs) of the Eligible Project, to a maximum of $200,000 per project.
Eligible Projects
Eligible Projects Eligible projects must advance the applicant’s solution towards market readiness and commercialization:
- Priority will be given to projects that will advance solutions to market by Spring of 2023.
- Projects advancing solutions to market by November 15, 2023 are eligible and will be considered for funding, if available.
Eligible projects will address risks in the fertilizer supply chain, and drive economic and environmental benefits back into the Ontario ecosystem, including:
- Advancing alternative fertilizer product(s)/solution(s) to market.
- Demonstrating efficacy, efficiency and performance validation of new products and solutions.
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Technology or solution must be at a minimum readiness level of TRL 7 at the start of the project.
- All projects must advance a technology towards market readiness. Priority will be given to projects that plan to advance the product or solution to TRL 9 (i.e., actual technology proven through successful deployment in an operational setting).
- Project activities must take place in Ontario and eligible project costs must be incurred in Ontario. Exception may be granted only with prior approval in extenuating circumstances.
- Project activities should result in increased revenue generation, job creation, and attraction of new investment for the applicant’s organization.
Eligible Activities
Eligible activities can include but are not limited to:
- Executing business plans to get solutions into the market.
- Sourcing and implementing on-farm demonstration.
- Activities to secure and protect Intellectual Property (IP).
- Customer discovery and validation: Identifying and securing new partnerships with end-users.
- Marketing and extension work: Activities related to awareness building, providing technical advice to end-users, or success story sharing.
- Creating market and technical communications: Creation of technical documents, digital content, and presentations for technical and marketing uses.
- Removing any barriers to market launch or private sector adoption.
- Tradeshow and/or conference attendance: Activities related to presenting and/or exhibiting at tradeshows or conferences where the solution will be showcased. This includes travel-related activities.
- Internal employee labour: Activities that require new and existing staff to complete and are directly related to the execution of the project.
- Other commercialization activities: Any other activities that will bring the solution to market.
Eligibility Criteria
Eligible Applicants:
- Must be located in Ontario;
- Must be a corporation, partnership, sole proprietor, or unincorporated association, including an Indigenous community or band council; and
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Must have an alternative fertilizer solution (i.e., product, process, technology, or system) at or beyond TRL 7 at the start of the project.
- TRL 7: Prototype ready for demonstration in an operational environment.
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Alternative fertilizer solutions may include or be a combination of:
- New products that reduce dependency on fertilizer imports.
- Solutions that reduce reliance on traditional fertilizers.
Applicants may submit more than one proposal if multiple alternative fertilizer solutions exist however, only one project will be approved per applicant.
Note: Applicants who have received prior funding from OMAFRA but have outstanding required reports are not eligible for funding under this program until OMAFRA has received and approved the outstanding reports.
Project partners and service providers may include but are not limited to: for-profit entities, not-for-profit entities, government and non-government organizations, universities and colleges, and research institutions based in Ontario.
For more information, visit Bioenterprise.
For more information, visit https://bioenterprise.ca/programs/fertilizer-accelerating-solutions-and-technology-challenge/
