Research Funding

RESEARCH FUNDING TO SUPPORT

PROJECTS “Since 2015, FedDev Ontario has invested more than $11 million in five projects that help expand IN AG AND OTHER SECTORS operations for companies in the dairy sector." — Filomena Tassi, minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario

INVESTMENT IN RESEARCH returns value to Ontario’s dairy sector. Through Dairy Farmers of Ontario, Ontario producers directly fund $2.2 million in research every year, one of the highest contributions of any agricultural commodity group in Ontario.

New funding announced by the government in October could also contribute to the dairy industry research pot. An investment of more than $5.6 million for the BioCreate program, was announced by Filomena Tassi, minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario). It will provide funding and support to help researchers and companies in the food and agriculture sector, among others, bring new products and technologies to market. “The Government of Canada recognizes the vital role businesses, including those in the dairy sector, play in creating jobs and contributing to the country’s economy,” Minister Tassi says. “Since 2015, FedDev Ontario has invested more than $11 million in five projects that help expand operations for companies in the dairy sector.” Through the BioCreate program, Ontario Genomics will partner with Velocity (Waterloo), McMaster Innovation Park/Synapse Life Sciences Consortium (Hamilton), Toronto Metropolitan University Science Discovery Zone (Toronto), and Cleantech Commons (Peterborough), to provide more than 30 successful applicants with access to lab space, tech support and mentoring. Past Ontario Genomics projects relevant to dairy include disease management, use of antibiotics and animal performance.

Apply before December 15, 2022, at www.ontariogenomics.ca

QUICK FACTS

Genomics is the study of all the genetic information of an organism’s genes.

Engineering (or synthetic) biology merges genomics and molecular biosciences with computing, automation, artificial intelligence (AI), and the application of engineering principles to biological systems.