Food and Agtech Demonstration Initiative

This MaRS-led initiative is supported by funding from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), as part of its Agricultural Clean Technology (ACT) program. With a total of $2 million available for distribution, the funding will be allocated to selected pilot projects to accelerate the adoption of venture technologies across the food and agriculture sector. All projects selected must demonstrate a clear and justified value proposition for reducing the environmental footprint of the food and agriculture industry and providing economic and public benefits for Canada.

This competition is associated with the Mission from MaRS: Food and Agtech program.

Key dates

Applications open on September 8, 2026 and close on November 6, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. EST

On September 17, 2026 at 2 p.m. EST, MaRS hosted an information webinar to guide you through the application process. Watch the webinar here.

Key materials

• Applicant guide
• Application form
• Required application attachments:
• Project overview template
• LOI from client organization

FAQs

This section will be populated on an ongoing basis as questions are received.

Who can apply?

The lead applicant must be a Canadian venture developing market-ready technology (TRL 6-9) that reduces GHG emissions and increases resilience in Canada’s food and agriculture sector. As part of their submission, lead applicants must include a letter of intent (LOI) from a client organization outlining their intention to engage in a pilot program with the lead applicant, should funding be awarded. Client organizations must have a significant operating presence in Canada. To be eligible, either the lead applicant (venture) or the client organization (corporate adopter) must be a participant in the MaRS Food and Agtech Mission.

How much funding is available?

Funding will be distributed over two years. The total pool of funding is $2,010,400 with $692,500 available for distribution in FY26/27. No venture can receive more than $1,000,000 from this total pool.

How will funding be distributed?

Funding will be distributed to successful applicants in three tranches tied to milestones.

What is the expected participation and contribution?

Client organizations must contribute at least 25 percent of project costs, in-kind. Cash contributions may be accepted in lieu of, or alongside, in-kind support.

When will successful applicants be notified?

Successful applicants will be notified by November 30, 2026, upon which they will be asked to sign an official ultimate recipient agreement. The first tranche of funding can be distributed as early as December 18, 2026.

 
If you have any further questions, please reach out to corporateinnovation@marsdd.com.