The Canadian Horticultural Council (CHC) is actively preparing for the opportunity to establish a fourth Canadian AgriScience Cluster for Horticulture under Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s (AAFC) next agricultural policy framework for 2023-2028. AgriScience Clusters are intended to mobilize industry, government and academia through partnerships, and address priority themes and horizontal issues that are national in scope.
During late 2021, the Canadian Potato Council provincial member organizations consulted with industry members to update the National Research and Innovation Strategy (pdf) 2023-2028 for potatoes. The Strategy represents the Canadian potato industry Research and Innovation Priorities, 2023-2028 (pdf).
Expressions of Interest were requested from Canadian researchers who would like the opportunity to participate in the Canadian AgriScience Cluster for Horticulture 4 addressing the above Research and Innovation priority areas (including but not limited to) for the horticulture industry.
Following a review of the Expressions of Interest received by the Research Working Group, those researchers submitting project concepts most closely aligned with the industry priorities were invited to submit Full Research Proposals. In some cases, researchers suggesting similar work were invited to collaborate and submit a unified proposal representing national scope.
Full proposals received were once again reviewed by the Research Working Group and proposals were selected for submission in the Fruit and Vegetable Growers of Canada Agri-Science Cluster for Horticulture 4 Application for funding.
For further information regarding the Cluster application process, please do not hesitate to contact:
Amy Argentino, Manager, Projects and Programs
aargentino@fvgc.ca