Expressions of Interest for Controlled Environment Agriculture

** For complete details visit https://www.sfu.ca/agritech-innovation/programs/agritech-innovation-funding.html, including instructions for submitting an Expression of Interest https://www.sfu.ca/agritech-innovation/programs/agritech-innovation-funding/eoi.html **

Controlled environment agriculture (CEA) for food production in greenhouses, vertical farms and other indoor growing systems is pivotal in addressing food security. BCCAI has launched a special Agritech Innovation Funding call to support CEA businesses in B.C.
The CEA call focuses on accelerating innovation and de-risking the development and adoption of agritech by combining the sciences of agriculture, engineering, and technology to address labour challenges and increase the sustainability of CEA businesses in B.C.It aims to push B.C. to the forefront of global agricultural innovation, guaranteeing heightened food security, economic growth and environmental sustainability while empowering Indigenous food systems and fostering increased participation from underrepresented groups.Up to $4 million in funding to accelerate the innovation and growth of B.C.’s CEA industry by de-risking the development and adoption of agritech. By enabling collaboration among public, private and government organizations, this call will enhance productivity and efficiency in your agri-food business and help establish the province as a global leader in agritech and agrifood production. BCCAI will support 75% of the total eligible project cost in cash, while the lead applicant must contribute the remaining 25% in cash.
Projects will be considered from all areas related to CEA with a focus on the following targets: 

• Acceleration of development, scale-up and expansion of B.C.-based companies and technologies.
• Piloting of new and emerging agritech on a CEA farm or equivalent.
• Support to SMEs to expand markets for their new product line and to farmers in de-risking the adoption of new products through pilots.
• Support to develop and adopt enabling technologies for CEA.
• Enhancing of productivity and efficiency in CEA businesses via private, post-secondary institutes and government partnership.
• Establishment of B.C.’s agritech leadership while advancing climate adaptation and net-zero strategies.
• Economic development by talent attraction and retention with well-paying jobs.    

  THE PROCESS

• Applicants must register for the call by submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI) form by 23:59 on February 16, 2024. EOIs submitted past deadline will not be considered.
• BCCAI will determine the eligibility of the EOIs submitted. An invitation to submit full project proposals will be extended to eligible applicants by February 29, 2024.
• Full project proposals must be submitted on April 12, 2024. 
• The results of the call will be announced late May, 2024.