NextGen Food Innovators Program

The NextGen Food Innovators Program, an initiative of the Canadian Food Innovation Network (CFIN), offers full-time Canadian students up to $10,000 in funding to develop innovative, IP-driven solutions in food processing, food service, or grocery retail. The program emphasizes advancing technology readiness and validating market opportunities.

Canadian Food Innovation Network (CFIN)

Overview of the NextGen Food Innovators Program program:

The NextGen Food Innovators Program is designed to accelerate pre-competitive innovation in Canada’s food ecosystem. This initiative supports full-time students currently enrolled in accredited colleges or universities who are developing transformative solutions related to food processing, distribution, food service, or grocery retail. The program encourages participants to develop and validate novel intellectual property (IP) while substantiating their market opportunity. The focus areas align with CFIN’s innovation priorities, including smart product and process development, sustainable food ecosystems, and agile supply chains. Applicants may submit projects with a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 1 to 7, aimed at moving toward commercialization. The program offers five regional awards across Canada, providing equal representation to Atlantic, Quebec, Ontario, Prairie, and Western regions.

Benefits of the NextGen Food Innovators Program program:

Financial Support: Up to $10,000 in funding for project costs.
Mentorship: Access to CFINs network, including Regional Innovation Directors.
Validation Opportunities: Assistance in developing and testing innovative IP-driven solutions.
National Reach: Awards distributed equally across Canadas regions.
Access to Resources: Free membership with CFIN, which includes networking tools, funding opportunities, and industry connections via the YODLTM platform.

Eligibility criteria of the NextGen Food Innovators Program program:

To qualify for funding, all projects must:
Address an area of the post- farmgate food production supply chain food processing, distribution, food service, or grocery retail. Projects that primarily focus on agricultural activities and mainly benefit farmers are not eligible;
Identify activities that support the further development and validation of novel intellectual property;
Identify a defined goal or outcome that has commercial application;
Conduct research and development at Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 1 to 7. Projects including TRL 8 and 9 components will only be considered if they are part of a project that also includes a TRL 1 to 7 (see 4.3 Technology Readiness Level Eligibility Requirements for further information); and,
Projects must be completed by December 31, 2025.