Protein Industries Canada: Up to 45% of Plant-Based Project Costs
Turning Canadian crops into new plant-based ingredients and products usually takes more than one company: someone has to breed, grow, process, formulate and sell. Protein Industries Canada co-invests in collaborative projects across that plant-based food, feed and ingredients value chain, through its Technology Leadership program.
Protein Industries Canada is currently accepting projects on a continuous basis. There is no set maximum that a project can receive, and Protein Industries Canada reimburses up to 45% of reconciled eligible costs.
What is Protein Industries Canada?
Protein Industries Canada is the Global Innovation Cluster for Canada’s plant-based food, feed and ingredients sector. Its Technology Leadership program co-invests in collaborative projects across the plant-based value chain, with an increased emphasis on ingredient processing and commercialization.
It takes projects at every stage from proof of concept through technology scaling to commercially ready. Projects are expected to show advances in environmental sustainability and economic reconciliation, and to aim to reach commercialization within their timeframe.
Protein Industries Canada at a glance
| Detail | Protein Industries Canada Supercluster |
|---|---|
| Funding amount | Varies |
| Program type | Grant |
| Level | Federal |
| Where it applies | Canada-wide |
| Status | Open |
| Deadline | Accepting projects on a continuous basis. Start by contacting Protein Industries Canada for an introductory call, then submit an Expression of Interest; consortia invited to the next stage develop a full project proposal with Protein Industries Canada staff. Review of a proposal begins within six weeks of receipt, and the Project Selection Committee makes the final decision. |
| What it funds | R&D / Proof of Concept, Prototype / Product Development, Commercialization / Market Launch |
| Industries | Biotech & Agriculture, Food & Beverages, Software & IT |
| Company stage | Growth, Expansion, Established |
| Payment model | Reimbursement |
| Matching funds required | Yes |
| Competition level | High |
How much funding is available?
There is no set maximum that a project can receive. Protein Industries Canada reimburses up to 45% of reconciled eligible costs, and the consortium members fund the rest. Projects can run over several years.
Every project also pays a 4% project administration fee on its total eligible reconciled costs, up to two times Protein Industries Canada’s contribution. Eligible costs are reimbursed only once the Master Project Agreement is signed.
- Genetics: germplasm development for processing efficiency, quality, sensory characteristics and novel ingredients.
- Crops: technologies to measure and improve on-farm sustainability and information flow along the value chain.
- Ingredients: the development, scaling and optimization of plant-based ingredients.
- Products: turning Canadian-made ingredients and co-products into consumption-ready goods.
Who is eligible?
The consortium
- Ideally three or more, and at minimum two, Protein Industries Canada members, at least one of them an SME (499 or fewer employees). Academic or research institutions are encouraged but not required.
- At least two members contribute financially, and every member contributes in a meaningful way: money and workplan activities, or IP or market expertise.
- At least two partners are Canadian companies, or multinationals legally entitled to do business in Canada with a significant Canadian operation. Non-Canadian entities can take part with Protein Industries Canada’s approval.
- At least one member should represent a target customer or user of the new technology.
- Teams are expected to include meaningful participation of women, Indigenous Peoples and/or other under-represented groups.
The project
- It has a clear connection to plant protein, falls under one of the four priority areas (Genetics, Crops, Ingredients, Products) and aligns with the Global Innovation Cluster objectives.
- Incremental: it is not already approved or under way, would not be possible without the consortium partners, and is new or larger in scope or scale because of the co-investment.
- It has proven management capability for complex, multi-party projects.
Before money flows
- Each member submits its last two years of accountant-prepared financial statements before the Master Project Agreement is signed.
- Eligible costs are reimbursed only once that agreement is signed.
When and how to apply
Protein Industries Canada is accepting projects on a continuous basis. Start by contacting Protein Industries Canada for an introductory call, then submit an Expression of Interest.
Consortia invited to the next stage develop a full project proposal with Protein Industries Canada staff. Review of a proposal begins within six weeks of receipt, and the Project Selection Committee makes the final decision.
The status of Protein Industries Canada Supercluster in EVAMAX Grant AI™ is currently Open. Grant AI™ re-checks it against the official program page, so look there for the latest before you start an application.
Is Protein Industries Canada right for you?
Protein Industries Canada suits plant-based food, feed and ingredient companies that can build a consortium of members, including an SME and a target customer, around a project that is new or bigger because of the co-investment. Plan for the share of costs the program does not reimburse and the 4% administration fee, and expect sustainability, economic reconciliation and a path to commercialization to carry weight.
Next steps: look up Protein Industries Canada Supercluster in EVAMAX Grant AI™ to see its live status and other programs that fit your company, or talk to EVAMAX about building your application.
Program details are from the EVAMAX Grant AI™ record as of October 19, 2026. Programs change — confirm current terms on the official program page before you apply.