Canadian Agtech co-innovation mission to The Netherlands – June 10 to 14, 2024

1. Application deadlines

• Deadline to register: March 11, 2024
• Deadline to submit expression of interest: March 15, 2024
• Notification of results: March 28, 2024

2. Mission objective

This partnering mission is focused on connecting Canadian SMEs to Dutch corporations looking to develop technologies in controlled environment and precision agriculture with the aim of forming collaborative research and development (R&D) partnerships that lead to co-innovation projects.

Through this support, Canadian businesses will be better equipped to build their innovation capacity, successfully commercialize their technology and become more competitive in the global marketplace.

3. Sector of focus

Agricultural technologies, including:

• controlled-environment agriculture (including greenhouses, vertical farming, hydroponics, aquaponics, aeroponics, etc.)
• precision agriculture (including Internet of Things, sensors, automation, robotics, etc.)
• artificial intelligence (AI) for agriculture
• lighting, plant growth and protection, etc.

4. Canadian delegation profile

To participate in this initiative, Canadian participants must:

• be an incorporated, profit‑oriented small or medium‑sized business in Canada
• have 500 or fewer full‑time equivalent employees
• pursue growth and profit by developing and commercializing innovative, technology-driven new or improved products, services or processes in Canada
• have a differentiated and protectable technology that could become competitive in global markets
• have sufficient working capital and resources to undertake a multi‑year R&D collaboration, including costs associated with possible efficacy studies and other market access requirements
• be committed to significant growth through international market expansion

Preference may be given to SME applicants who:

• have a minimum of 10 full‑time equivalent employees
• have commercialized 1 or more products domestically or internationally
• have greater than $500,000 CAD in annual revenue.

Note: Canadian SME applicants must be eligible for funding as NRC IRAP clients before they can be considered for funding through this call for proposals. For more information on NRC IRAP eligibility and becoming an NRC IRAP client, please contact NRC IRAP at 1‑877‑994‑4727.

5. GreenTech

The anchor event, GreenTech, is the world's largest horticulture show and one of the largest agtech shows in Europe. GreenTech is held annually, has over 450 exhibitors and attracts 14,500 professionals in indoor farming and agtech.

6. Financial support

Canadian SMEs selected by NRC IRAP for participation will be eligible for up to $5,000 for reimbursement of travel and accommodation costs associated with the mission. Selected participants will be sent instructions and information to apply for this support.

7. How to apply

Interested Canadian applicants must register using the register button at the bottom of this page.

An Expression of Interest form will be provided to potentially eligible applicants. The expression of interest application form will request additional information about the applicant, organization, technology and co‑innovation opportunities of interest.

8. Contact

Birgit Nielsen

NRC IRAP AgFood Sector Team
birgit.nielsen@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca

Tamara Kononoff

NRC IRAP UK National Program Coordinator
tamara.kononoff@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca

9. Registration

Canadian SME participants must be NRC IRAP clients. If not already an NRC IRAP client, Canadian SMEs must contact 1‑877‑994‑4727 to determine if they might be eligible for support through NRC IRAP.

To begin the application process, interested Canadian participants must first register online to receive an Expression of Interest form by clicking the Register button.

If there is no Register button visible below this line, it means that registration for this partnering mission has closed.

For more information, please contact the NRC IRAP International Office by email at irap.international.pari@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca.