This initiative funds collaborative industrial research and development (R&D) projects between Canada and Japan. The Canada-Japan collaborative funding for AI and automation is highlighted by a joint initiative from the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) and the National Research Council Canada (NRC). It focuses on applying artificial intelligence (AI), automation, and related technologies to boost agricultural productivity, strengthen resilience, and advance commercialization. Canadian SMEs can access up to CAD $600,000, while eligible Canadian research institutions may receive up to CAD $100,000 per year per consortium.
RFAs: AI and Automation Solutions for Agricultural Productivity and Resilience (Canada) Deadline: 26-Aug-2026
About the Initiative
The Governments of Canada and Japan are jointly backing collaborative industrial R&D projects that show strong commercialization potential. The program encourages partnerships between organizations in both countries to create innovative AI and automation solutions that tackle major agricultural challenges. Projects should advance pre-commercial technologies that raise efficiency, build resilience, and promote sustainable farming through cross-border collaboration. It is similiar to other Canadian Scholarship programs.
Objectives of the Programme
The initiative aims to:
- Promote Canada–Japan industrial R&D collaboration.
- Accelerate the development of AI and automation technologies for agriculture.
- Improve agricultural productivity and resilience.
- Address labour shortages in agriculture.
- Support commercialization of innovative technologies.
- Strengthen agriculture-based communities.
- Improve decision-making through advanced data analytics.
- Enhance sustainability across the agricultural value chain.
Priority Areas
Projects should focus on one or more of the following areas:
- Artificial intelligence (AI) in agriculture.
- Automation technologies.
- Agricultural productivity improvement.
- Disaster preparedness.
- Farm-to-harvest value chain optimization.
- Crop monitoring.
- Crop performance improvement.
- Predictive yield modelling.
- Data-driven agriculture.
- Autonomous agricultural equipment.
- Precision farming.
- Vertical farming.
- Controlled environment agriculture.
Eligible Technology Themes
The programme supports innovative solutions such as:
AI-Based Crop Monitoring
Projects may use technologies including:
- AI image recognition.
- Drone-based monitoring.
- Satellite imagery.
- Early detection of crop stress.
- Weed identification.
- Disease detection.
Resource Optimization
Supported innovations include technologies that improve:
- Water management.
- Nutrient utilization.
- Light optimization.
- Pest management.
- Advanced biotechnology applications.
Predictive Analytics
Projects may develop solutions that integrate:
- Weather data.
- Soil health information.
- Crop performance data.
- Farm management practices.
- Yield prediction models.
- Nutrient management tools.
- Digital twins for agricultural systems.
Automation Solutions
Examples include:
- Robotic harvesting systems.
- Automated quality grading.
- Autonomous farm machinery.
- Drone imaging technologies.
- Automated agricultural operations.
Funding Available
Canadian SMEs
Eligible Canadian SMEs may receive:
- Up to CAD $600,000 per individual SME.
Canadian Research Institutions
Eligible research institutions may receive:
- Up to 100% of eligible costs.
- Maximum CAD $100,000 per year per consortium.
Indirect Costs
- Indirect costs may account for up to 10% of total eligible project costs.
Consortium Requirements
Applicants must develop projects through an international consortium. Projects must:
- Include organizations from Canada and Japan.
- Be collaborative industrial R&D projects.
- Focus on pre-commercial technology development.
- Demonstrate strong commercialization potential.
Who Can Apply?
Eligible applicants include Canadian SMEs and Canadian research institutions participating in international project consortia with Japanese partners.
Eligibility Criteria for Canadian SMEs
Canadian SME applicants must:
- Be incorporated in Canada.
- Operate as a profit-oriented business.
- Have 500 or fewer full-time equivalent employees.
- Have operated for at least 12 months before the Canadian registration deadline.
- Employ at least five full-time equivalent employees in Canada.
- Develop innovative technology-driven products, services, or processes.
- Own differentiated and protectable technology with global commercial potential.
- Demonstrate financial and operational capacity to undertake international R&D.
- Show commitment to international market expansion.
Preferred SME Characteristics
Preference may be given to SMEs that:
- Employ 15 or more full-time equivalent employees in Canada.
- Have successfully commercialized products internationally.
- Generate annual sales exceeding CAD $500,000.
Project Requirements
Projects should:
- Develop pre-commercial technologies.
- Apply AI or automation to agriculture.
- Improve agricultural productivity and resilience.
- Demonstrate commercialization potential.
- Address practical agricultural challenges.
- Support innovation across the farm-to-harvest value chain.
How to Apply
The application process generally includes the following steps:
- Form a Consortium – Establish a collaborative project team with eligible Canadian and Japanese partners.
- Develop the Project – Design an R&D project focused on AI and automation technologies for agriculture.
- Prepare the Proposal – Develop a proposal demonstrating technical innovation, collaboration, and commercialization potential.
- Submit the Application – Submit all required documentation according to the programme guidelines.
- Project Evaluation – Applications are reviewed for eligibility, technical quality, collaboration, and commercialization potential.
- Project Implementation – Successful consortia carry out collaborative R&D activities in accordance with programme requirements.
Why This Initiative Matters
Agriculture faces increasing challenges from labour shortages, climate variability, and growing demand for sustainable food production. This initiative helps:
- Accelerate agricultural innovation.
- Strengthen Canada–Japan research collaboration.
- Improve farming efficiency.
- Reduce waste and downtime.
- Enhance climate resilience.
- Promote precision agriculture.
- Support commercialization of advanced agricultural technologies.
Application Tips
Applicants should:
- Build a balanced Canada–Japan consortium.
- Clearly demonstrate commercial potential.
- Explain how AI and automation improve agricultural productivity.
- Address real-world agricultural challenges.
- Present a realistic commercialization pathway.
- Highlight technical innovation and international collaboration.
- Demonstrate financial and operational readiness.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applicants should avoid:
- Submitting projects without international collaboration.
- Proposing technologies that are already fully commercialized.
- Failing to demonstrate commercialization potential.
- Not meeting SME eligibility requirements.
- Providing weak business or commercialization plans.
- Overlooking the importance of the full farm-to-harvest value chain.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the purpose of this initiative?
The initiative supports collaborative Canada–Japan R&D projects that apply AI and automation technologies to improve agricultural productivity and resilience.
Who can apply?
Eligible Canadian SMEs and research institutions participating in collaborative consortia with Japanese partners.
How much funding is available for Canadian SMEs?
Eligible Canadian SMEs may receive up to CAD $600,000.
How much funding can Canadian research institutions receive?
Eligible research institutions may receive up to CAD $100,000 per year per consortium, covering up to 100% of eligible costs.
What technologies are supported?
The programme supports AI, robotics, automation, drone technologies, satellite imaging, predictive analytics, digital twins, autonomous machinery, and other advanced technologies for agriculture.
Are collaborative projects required?
Yes. Projects must be developed through an international consortium involving eligible organizations from Canada and Japan.
Conclusion
The AI and Automation Solutions to Enhance Agricultural Productivity and Resilience initiative offers a strong opportunity for Canadian and Japanese organisations to work together on innovative agricultural technologies with clear commercialization potential. By backing AI, automation, robotics, and data-driven solutions, the programme seeks to raise agricultural productivity, build greater resilience, and speed the adoption of next-generation farming technologies throughout the agricultural value chain.
For more information, visit the Government of Canada.