Applications Open for Grains Innovation Fund 2026

Jul 24, 2025
By Farms.com

Ontario’s Grains Innovation Fund now offers up to $75,000 in grants for projects using local grains

Grain Farmers of Ontario (GFO), the province’s largest commodity organization representing 28,000 farmers, is now accepting applications for the 2026 Grains Innovation Fund. The fund offers grants up to $75,000 to support innovative projects that promote the use of Ontario’s grains such as barley, corn, oats, soybeans, and wheat.

“This year marks another exciting chapter for the Grains Innovation Fund,” said Paul Hoekstra, Vice President of Strategic Development, Grain Farmers of Ontario. “We’re proud to support projects that find new and creative ways to use Ontario grains, whether it’s to develop new products, enter new markets, or inspire more consumers to support Ontario grain products.”

Eligible projects must use at least 40 metric tonnes annually of Ontario grains or grain residues and align with at least one of the following criteria:

Open new markets for Ontario grains

Increase demand and use of Ontario grains

Develop novel value-added products

Promote Ontario grains as the top choice for consumers

Support the development of new market opportunities

Since its inception, the Grains Innovation Fund has supported a range of successful projects, from plant-based food products and sustainable construction materials to brewing innovations. These projects have contributed to the growth of local markets and have showcased the versatility of Ontario’s grains.

This year, the fund prioritizes projects in food processing, renewable bio-economy solutions, animal feed, and scalable processing innovations. The maximum grant has been increased to $75,000, covering up to 60% of eligible project costs.

Key Dates:

Application deadline: October 31, 2025, at 4 p.m.

Applicants notified: January 2026

Project funding announcement: March 2026

For more information on the program and application details, please visit gfo.ca/grains-innovation-fund For more details, visit gfo.ca/grains-innovation-fund .

Photo Credit: pexels-pixabay

Video: We’ll NEVER Use These Grain Bins Again!

A huge change is happening on the farm — our new grain bin has officially arrived, and that means we’ll never use some of our old grain bins again. In today's video, we take delivery of the new grain bin, look back at the old bins that have been part of our farm for years, and talk about why this upgrade is such a big deal for harvest, grain storage, and the future of our family farm.

This is more than just a grain bin delivery. It’s the end of an era and the start of a major farm upgrade that will completely change how we handle corn during harvest. From old grain storage to a brand-new bin setup, this project is one of the biggest improvements we’ve made at the farm.

Join me as the new grain bin shows up, the bin project continues, and we prepare for a new chapter in harvest efficiency on our Minnesota family farm.