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Harvest Accelerator – wasteCANcreate

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HARVEST Business Accelerator - WCC

Applications to HARVEST are now closed. If you have any questions, please see Contact information below.

Harvest Accelerator – wasteCANcreate

Harnessing Agriculture for Research, Value-add Environmental Solutions, and Technology (HARVEST) is a nation-wide funding competition supporting innovative life sciences and biotechnology companies in Canada that are driving commercialization in clean technology advancements across agriculture and agri-food value chains.

HARVEST will fund innovative projects that advance clean technologies measurably reducing greenhouse gas (GHG)  emissions. The program encompasses a broad range of life science applications, including genomics, biotechnology, metabolomics, engineering biology, precision fermentation and best production practices. Companies are expected to co-fund a proposed project with their own financial resources.

Ontario Genomics, Genome Prairie, and Genome Alberta are combining our collective expertise in genomics, agriculture, and food biotechnology to support companies seeking to innovate and advance commercialization with a commitment to environmental responsibility.

The program is divided into two streams, Primary Agriculture Clean Technologies (PACT) and wasteCANcreate (wCc), to best leverage the strengths of each participating Genome Centre, and to most effectively address national needs for improvements in primary agriculture and waste valorization.

wasteCANcreate is focused on upcycling or reusing common agricultural and/or food and beverage processing sidestreams or by-products to improve existing processes and commercialize new bio-based products. Projects within wasteCANcreate will scale biological solutions, such as microbes (e.g., bacteria, yeasts, microalgae) and/or enzymes, to upcycle sidestreams or by-products into valuable products. Projects will be collaborative, with feedstocks providers, technology developers, and potential end users working together to de-risk these technologies.

Download and read the Program Guide

PROGRAM GUIDE

Program Objectives:

HARVEST has been designed to:

  • Support Canadian Companies
  • Strengthen Canada’s agriculture and food economy by integrating and expanding bio-based technologies
  • Support the commercial success of Canadian products, manufacturers, and producers
  • Drive development of less GHG intensive Canadian agricultural production without reducing productivity
  • Position Canada as a leader for the creation, growth and scaling of biotechnology innovation in the global agri-food sector

HARVEST is not intended to fund:

  • Academic Institutions except if/when contracted by the company as a partner in the project
  • Fundamental research
  • Market research
  • Commercial launches of already-developed technology
  • Patent enforcement or litigation
  • Projects, project components or service provision (e.g. routine analyses or certain types of trials) that would normally be funded solely by the company
A recording of our informational webinar, held on March 2 and providing an overview of the program, is available to watch here.
INFORMATIONAL WEBINAR

Eligibility Criteria:

  • Applicant must be a Canadian for-profit enterprise.
  • All funded work must happen within Canada.
  • The project supports the invention, development or commercialization of a life science/biotechnology-based, or -enabled, innovation with a clearly articulated market opportunity.
  • Additional partners are not mandatory but may strengthen a proposal (e.g. co-funding partners such as commodity groups, established companies interested in a strategic or distribution partnership, or interest as customers or end users).
  • The project has the potential to generate economic impacts for the company as well as environmental benefits to Canada.
  • Applicants will demonstrate the market potential of their innovations by outlining the competitive landscape, and industry positioning.
  • Projects will be assessed on the potential environmental impacts resulting from the funded activities.
  • Capacity of company to complete milestones and deliverables.
  • Final eligibility decisions rest with the HARVEST organizers.
  • Open to technologies that are ready to scale past the laboratory (~TRL4-5).
  • Work contributes to an area within agriculture, food and beverage production, or other area in the food value chain.
  • Utilizes an enzymatic, fermentation, and/or engineering biology-based process.

Funding Terms:

  • HARVEST will contribute between $350,000 – $750,000 to each approved project.
  • Project applicants must provide a minimum cash contribution to the project equivalent to one-third of the total project value. For example, if HARVEST contribution is $400,000, the applicant must provide at least $200,000 in co-funding. Projects will be considered more favourably with a co-funding commitment approaching one-half of the total project value (using the example in the previous point, applicants contributing near or up to $400,000 would be viewed more favourably).
  • The maximum project term is 2 years (24-months), with eligible expense period between April 1, 2026, to March 31, 2028. No-cost extensions will not be allowed within HARVEST.
  • 3-8 projects will be funded in each stream.
  • One hundred per cent of the co-funding for the project must be received or committed before funds can be released. HARVEST reserves the right to withdraw its funding for any approved project that does not meet this requirement or if there is a change in a project’s co-funding status.
  • Proposed project activities cannot already be part of any currently active Canadian Genome Enterprise or another federal program. Projects that build on, or complement, work completed under other federal programs are welcome.

Harvest Accelerator – PACT

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HARVEST Business Accelerator - PACT

Applications to HARVEST are now closed. If you have any questions, please see Contact information below.

Harvest Accelerator – PACT

Harnessing Agriculture for Research, Value-add Environmental Solutions, and Technology (HARVEST) is a nation-wide funding competition supporting innovative life sciences and biotechnology companies in Canada that are driving commercialization in clean technology advancements across agriculture and agri-food value chains.

HARVEST will fund innovative projects that advance clean technologies measurably reducing greenhouse gas (GHG)  emissions. The program encompasses a broad range of life science applications, including genomics, biotechnology, metabolomics, engineering biology, precision fermentation and best production practices. Companies are expected to co-fund a proposed project with their own financial resources.

Ontario Genomics, Genome Prairie, and Genome Alberta are combining our collective expertise in genomics, agriculture, and food biotechnology to support companies seeking to innovate and advance commercialization with a commitment to environmental responsibility.

The program is divided into two streams, Primary Agriculture Clean Technologies (PACT) and wasteCANcreate (wCc), to best leverage the strengths of each participating Genome Centre, and to most effectively address national needs for improvements in primary agriculture and waste valorization.

Primary Agriculture Clean Technologies (PACT)
Primary agriculture clean technologies are tools and practices that reduce environmental impact while improving efficiency in farming, ranching, and other on-farm production activities. They are innovations that improve the environmental footprint of primary agricultural production without sacrificing productivity. This includes:

  • Improvements in crop and livestock production
  • Greater GHG efficiency
  • Better abiotic or biotic stress resistance
  • Precision agriculture
  • Soil and nutrient management technologies
  • Systems that cut greenhouse gases, water use, and waste at the source of food production

Download and read the Program Guide

PROGRAM GUIDE

Program Objectives:

HARVEST has been designed to:

  • Support Canadian Companies
  • Strengthen Canada’s agriculture and food economy by integrating and expanding bio-based technologies
  • Support the commercial success of Canadian products, manufacturers, and producers
  • Drive development of less GHG intensive Canadian agricultural production without reducing productivity
  • Position Canada as a leader for the creation, growth and scaling of biotechnology innovation in the global agri-food sector

HARVEST is not intended to fund:

  • Academic Institutions except if/when contracted by the company as a partner in the project
  • Fundamental research
  • Market research
  • Commercial launches of already-developed technology
  • Patent enforcement or litigation
  • Projects, project components or service provision (e.g. routine analyses or certain types of trials) that would normally be funded solely by the company
A recording of our informational webinar, held on March 2 and providing an overview of the program, is available to watch here.
INFORMATIONAL WEBINAR

Eligibility Criteria:

  • Applicant must be a Canadian for-profit enterprise.
  • All funded work must happen within Canada.
  • The project supports the invention, development or commercialization of a life science/biotechnology-based, or -enabled, innovation with a clearly articulated market opportunity.
  • Additional partners are not mandatory but may strengthen a proposal (e.g. co-funding partners such as commodity groups, established companies interested in a strategic or distribution partnership, or interest as customers or end users).
  • The project has the potential to generate economic impacts for the company as well as environmental benefits to Canada.
  • Applicants will demonstrate the market potential of their innovations by outlining the competitive landscape, and industry positioning.
  • Projects will be assessed on the potential environmental impacts resulting from the funded activities.
  • Capacity of company to complete milestones and deliverables.
  • Final eligibility decisions rest with the HARVEST organizers.
  • Open to technology at Technology Readiness Level (TRL ~2-7), where early TRL proposals are expected to move along the TRL scale over the duration of the project.
  • Developing an innovation focused on improving the environmental footprint of primary agricultural production.
  • Technologies should leverage life sciences and biotechnology innovations to reduce environmental impacts and/or improve the efficiency of on-farm production activities.

Funding Terms:

  • HARVEST will contribute between $350,000 – $750,000 to each approved project.
  • Project applicants must provide a minimum cash contribution to the project equivalent to one-third of the total project value. For example, if HARVEST contribution is $400,000, the applicant must provide at least $200,000 in co-funding. Projects will be considered more favourably with a co-funding commitment approaching one-half of the total project value (using the example in the previous point, applicants contributing near or up to $400,000 would be viewed more favourably).
  • The maximum project term is 2 years (24-months), with eligible expense period between April 1, 2026, to March 31, 2028. No-cost extensions will not be allowed within HARVEST.
  • 3-8 projects will be funded in each stream.
  • One hundred per cent of the co-funding for the project must be received or committed before funds can be released. HARVEST reserves the right to withdraw its funding for any approved project that does not meet this requirement or if there is a change in a project’s co-funding status.
  • Proposed project activities cannot already be part of any currently active Canadian Genome Enterprise or another federal program. Projects that build on, or complement, work completed under other federal programs are welcome.

Canadian Biotechnology Innovation and Commercialization

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Canadian Biotechnology Innovation and Commercialization (CBIC)

Canadian Biotechnology Innovation and Commercialization (CBIC)

Biotechnology leverages biological processes, organisms, or systems to develop products and technologies for a wide range of sectors, including medicine, agriculture, and environmental science, with the potential to address global challenges and enhance quality of life. The field has been significantly revolutionized by genomics, which provides a deeper understanding of the genetic basis of life. This has enabled precise manipulation and understanding of biological systems at a molecular level, driving innovation across multiple sectors.

Genome Canada has announced a strategic investment in commercialization and adoption of genomics and genomics-driven biotechnology solutions, through the Canadian Biotechnology Innovation and Commercialization (CBIC) initiative. CBIC funds public-private research and development projects that amplify the value of public investment in innovation and accelerate the commercialization of Canadian genomics inventions and innovations by addressing real-world needs and opportunities identified by industry.

This first investment in support of the Canadian Genomics Strategy aims to accelerate commercialization and adoption to address urgent health and industry challenges in Canada.

Previous Funded Projects – Genomic Applications Partnership Program (GAPP)

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Funded Ontario GAPP Projects

With funding from the Canadian Genomics Strategy (CGS), Genomic Applications Partnership Program (GAPP) is designed to support Canadian for-profit enterprises that have an economic interest in developing an idea or research into a commercial application.

National Genomic Applications Partnership Program (GAPP) – 2025-2028

Previous Rounds of National Genomic Applications Partnership Program (GAPP)

BioCreate Program

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BioCreate program banner showing the Canada and Ontario Genomics logo

BioCreate is an $11.6-million accelerator providing financial and business support to Ontario biotech companies creating game-changing solutions in the health, food and agriculture, and cleantech industries.

BioCreate is funded by Ontario Genomics and a Government of Canada investment of over $5.6 million, through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario). The program connects highly vetted companies with $150,000 in seed funding, 18 months of business mentorship and access to critical infrastructure. They’ll also get the opportunity to pitch to investors for further funding.

Biocreate header with three phases

BioCreate has selected all the companies in the program. Since 2023, 288 SMEs applied and only 32 have been welcomed into the accelerator for an 11% acceptance rate.

  • 2023: 97 companies applied (two application rounds) – 12 were chosen
  • 2024: 101 companies applied (two application rounds) – 12 were chosen
  • 2025: 90 companies applied (1 application round) – 8 were chosen in 2026

For more details on the BioCreate accelerator, including company bios, videos and information on our mentorship network and how to become an investor, go to BioCreate.ca

eDNA Surveillance Initiative

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eDNA Surveillance Initiative

eDNA Surveillance can tell us nature’s secrets

As humans, we don’t live in a bubble. We’re connected to all living things around us, so it only makes sense to better understand the impact humans, animals and the environment have on each other. That’s where Environmental DNA (eDNA) comes in!

This advanced surveillance technique is emerging as a non-invasive method to better understand how our changing climate is impacting all living things, especially human health. Ontario Genomics is funding two new projects through Genome Canada’s eDNA Surveillance Initiative that gives regional support to better develop more sensitive and accurate detection methods.

One project will help two First Nations communities develop and implement new eDNA/eRNA tools for wastewater and ecological monitoring, while the other will track and correlate environmental and clinical antimicrobial resistance. An ethical and inclusive governance policy framework will be co-created with First Nations communities to ensure privacy protection, confidentiality and data integrity while respecting Indigenous sovereignty.

CPHI Pillar 1: Generating Population-Level Genomic Data

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This investment will generate a coordinated, large-scale, diverse genomic data asset that reflects Canada’s population.

Through the Canadian Precision Health Initiative (CPHI), genomic data from 100,000+ people across Canada will be gathered, shared and made accessible to help transform our health-care approach into a modern, precision health system that can have enormous impacts for all Canadians.

The initiative comprises four integrated, connected pillars of activity.

Pillar 1 – Generating population-level genomic data, will focus on the creation of national data assets that are accessible and reflect the diversity of Canada’s population. This data will be used to modernize the country’s healthcare system, making it more agile, preventative-focused and effective for Canadians.

Within Pillar 1, Ontario Genomics is the lead Centre for 4 awarded projects and the co-lead Centre for 2 awarded projects.

  1. Precision Health Network for Neurodevelopment, Mental Health and Brain Injury
  2. Precision Child Health – Comprehensive Sequencing for Childhood Life-long Disorders
  3. INFANT: Identifying At-risk Newborns from the Analysis of NGS Testing
  4. Expanding the Use of Genomics to Unravel Rare Diseases: Care4Rare EXPAND
  5. Genomic Evidence for Precision Medicine for Selected Chronic Diseases among Black Peoples in Canada
  6. Longitudinal, Deep-Phenotyped Pediatric Databank of Medical and Drug Therapy Outcomes
Learn more about Canadian Precision Health Initiative (CPHI)

Climate Action Genomics Initiative Climate-Smart Agriculture and Food Systems

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Ontario Genomics is pleased to announce that Genome Canada has launched the Climate Action Genomics Initiative.
Climate change poses a significant risk to our agricultural systems, impacting the availability of food and other vital resources, from fuels to the raw materials used to develop everyday products. In response to this major challenge, Genome Canada’s latest large-scale genomics initiative supports climate change mitigation, and adaptation that leads to mitigation, through strategic investments in climate-smart agriculture and food systems.

The new opportunity, called the Climate-Smart Agriculture and Food Systems initiative, is investing $30 million in cutting-edge genomics research and innovation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the carbon footprint of Canada’s food production systems—building their resiliency, environmental sustainability and economic viability.

A distinguishing feature of the Initiative is that it will fund a portfolio of interdisciplinary projects and helps coordinate and connect their efforts with cross-cutting programs for knowledge mobilization, data coordination and implementation across Canada. This portfolio approach allows benefits from one solution to translate into other food production systems or supply chains and cascade impact throughout the broader food system.

The Initiative will deploy a number of funding opportunities that will make up the portfolio.

At the outset, these will include:

Interdisciplinary Challenge Teams 2023 (ICT) Funding Opportunity

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Ontario Genomics is pleased to announce Genome Canada’s new Climate Action Genomics Initiative – Climate-Smart Agriculture and Food Systems funding opportunity, launched in May 2022. Interdisciplinary Challenge Teams (ICTs) represent the largest, key component of the initiative. ICTs are integrated teams of researchers from different disciplines and users who work together to address specific questions, achieve relevant deliverables and, ultimately, reduce the carbon footprint and greenhouse gas emissions of Canada’s agriculture and food systems. As part of the Initiative portfolio, the teams will work toward broader national impacts that manifest value beyond each individual project. The ICTs will provide genomic solutions to help implement agriculture and food production systems that are climate-resilient, socially responsible, economically viable and environmentally sustainable, and that contribute to the mitigation of climate change impacts.

Objectives

The ICT funding opportunity aims to support teams that use genomic approaches to achieve the overall objective of the Initiative, which is to develop and apply genomic tools and technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the carbon footprint of Canada’s food systems to ensure they are resilient, economically viable and environmentally sustainable.

The scope of this funding opportunity will include areas where genomic technologies are used to help achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 and reduce the carbon footprint of Canada’s agriculture and food production system. Projects should seek solutions that will increase the value created by production systems without increasing greenhouse gas emissions or amplifying negative impacts on the natural environment. Furthermore, projects should demonstrate how their outputs could be translated into reduced emissions by taking into account the various dimensions of the food system value chain, including production, processing, distribution and consumption.

Applicants must demonstrate how their proposal has significant potential to achieve concrete deliverables by the end of the funding period. Proposals that make a strong case that their deliverables will translate into significant social and/or economic benefits that align with the Initiative’s overall intended impact (i.e., the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions to lessen the carbon footprint of Canada’s agriculture and food production systems) within the shortest time frame possible after the end of the project are particularly encouraged. Consideration will be given to what is reasonable for different research areas.

See example projects here.

To ensure that the objectives of the funding opportunity are met, all applications must address the evaluation criteria established for the competition (see Appendix 1 of funding opportunity).

Available funding and term

  • There is approximately $24 million available for the ICTs from Genome Canada.
  • Genome Canada’s maximum contribution to an approved project will be $3 million.
  • There must be a minimum contribution of $1 million from Genome Canada to each approved project.
  • A project’s eligible costs must be co-funded from eligible sources such that the co-funding is at least equal to the Genome Canada contribution. See the Genome Canada Guidelines for Funding for more details.
  • Successful teams will be awarded funding for a term of up to four years.

It is anticipated that eight to ten ICTs will be funded as part of this Initiative portfolio. The portfolio will also include a Data Coordinating Centre (DCC) as well as a Knowledge Mobilization and Implementation Coordinating Centre (KMICC).

Eligibility

Genome Canada funds can only be awarded to individuals affiliated with one or more of the following types of organizations:

  • Canadian universities, colleges and affiliated institutions including research hospitals and research institutes
  • Not-for-profit organizations (including community or charitable organizations) with an explicit research mandate
  • Canadian non-federal government departments or agencies

See ICT Funding Opportunity and Guidelines for Funding Research Projects for complete eligibility requirements.