Technology Leadership — Genomics Stream

Technology Leadership — Genomics Stream

Funds commercialization pathways for genomic tools for pulse and cereal crop improvement through Canadian crop innovation.

Protein Industries Canada (PIC) operates the Technology Leadership Genomics Stream as a dedicated co-investment program for Canadian consortia commercializing new genomic tools in crop improvement, with a priority focus on pulse and cereal crop varieties. PIC is one of Canada's federally funded Global Innovation Clusters and has received a cumulative federal commitment of up to $323 million. The Genomics Stream co-invests up to 45% of eligible project costs, with total project budgets capped at CAD $3,000,000 over a four-year period, meaning PIC contributes up to approximately CAD $1,350,000 per project. Other broad-acre crops are considered in addition to pulse and cereal varieties when a strong genomics rationale is presented.

Eligible consortium members include crop breeding companies, seed companies, end-user processors, crop agronomy companies, and biotech or genomics firms. PIC's guidance specifies "at least two, ideally three or more" partners, with at least one Canadian SME (499 employees or fewer) participating. Consortia must be Canadian-based or operate through Canadian entities, and all projects must demonstrate environmental sustainability and economic reconciliation commitments. Intake is continuous on a two-stage basis — an Expression of Interest followed by a Full Project Proposal — with no fixed call windows closing the stream.

To win Genomics Stream funding, consortia should demonstrate a credible path to commercialization of the genomic tool or variety, a consortium with complementary expertise spanning breeding, agronomy, and processing, and an incremental investment case — showing the project would not advance at the same scale without PIC's contribution. Initial contact and EOI submissions go to projects@proteinsupercluster.ca with a brief description of the company, contact information, and project scope. PIC also provides Program Guide, Data Strategy, and IP Strategy documents in English and French for applicants preparing full proposals.