Sponsor
Canadian Horticulture Council (CHC)
Program
Canadian Agri-Science Cluster for Horticulture and National Greenhouse Industry (2018-2023)
For More Information
Description
The Canadian Horticultural Council is currently exploring the opportunity to establish a third Agri-Science Cluster under the federal government’s upcoming agricultural policy framework for 2018-2023.
The purpose of the program is to help industry-led agricultural organizations pull together national scientific and technical resources to establish clusters in support of innovation and research. Projects for the program must focus on the pre-commercialization development of new agri products, practices and processes in Canada that will make agriculture more profitable and competitive.
To date, the Canadian Horticultural Council (CHC) has undertaken a number of activities to gather input from members, including commodity groups establishing their national research and innovation strategies and priorities in collaboration with their value chain partners.
Indirect Costs
15%
Project Duration
Up to five (5) years from April 1, 2018 - March 31, 2023
Special Notes
At this time, CHC is seeking Expressions of Interest from researchers in Canada who would like to participate in the Canadian Agri-Science Cluster for Horticulture 3 in the following areas of priority for the greenhouse industry.
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Key Priority Area |
Strategic Outcome |
Investment Priorities |
|---|---|---|
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Pest Management |
Research and innovations in pest management initiatives enable us to detect invasive pests and diseases before they becomes established, resulting in less pesticide use, a reduced footprint and increasing consumer confidence. We have an improved and more responsive regulatory framework for pesticides, and bio-controls for emerging invasive pests and diseases, relative to trading partners. |
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Labour |
Increased automation and mechanization of certain production tasks (pickers) will have changed the worker type from labourer to highly skilled worker. Data systems that register input needs, inform inventory and order products have increased need for technology and data systems savvy workers who have displaced labourers who have been replaced by full time highly skilled workers. Training programs have attracted upper/middle production management graduates to work in production greenhouses. |
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Energy and Efficiency |
Reduction in traditional carbon-based fuels, greater efficiencies from alternate fuel sources, and improved artificial lighting (LED), informed by producer knowledge have resulted in greater energy efficiency and higher quality production. |
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Production Outcomes |
Initiatives to explore enhanced growing methods have resulted in enhanced yields, lower production costs, higher quality and more consistent products and sustainable production methods that have a positive impact on the environment. |
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Consumer Preferences |
We will have completed institutional research which has given us the facts around our production methods and demonstrates to the public the benefits of greenhouse products, thereby increasing demand and acceptance |
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Enabling Strategy: Knowledge Collection, Translation and Transfer |
National collaboration with growers, universities and government researchers has resulted in
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Deadlines
If College-level review is required, your College will communicate its earlier internal deadlines.
| Type | Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|
External Deadline | Please note that expression of interest must be submitted to the sponsor no later than the end of business April 27, 2017. |
How to Apply
This is a two (2) stage submission process:
1. Expression of Interest
Please complete the attached Expressions of Interest Form and return it to Amy Argentino by end of business March 8, 2017, via email to: aargentino@hortcouncil.ca with the subject line: Greenhouse– Expression of Interest.
- Researchers are not required to submit their EOI to the Office of Research for approval before submission to the sponsor. Researchers are asked to send a copy of their EOI to to the Office of Research for information purposes only. An OR-5 is not required at the EOI stage. Researchers will be notified by the sponsor if they have been invited to submit a full proposal.
2. Full Proposal
- Only successful applicants will be notified and asked to provide a full research proposal for consideration. Those invited to submit a full proposal must submit their full proposal to the Office of Research two weeks in advance of the sponsor's deadline with a signed OR-5.
Information For Co-applicants
If you are part of an application or team that has been invited to submit a full proposal but are not the lead, please contact the Office of Research as soon as possible.