The OSCIA grants to support the traditional “Tier One and Regional Communication” activities are now available to local and regional associations that are in good standing.

While we remain in discussions with OMAFRA on possible government funds to offer a broader suite of opportunities over multiple years, there was expressed desire by the elected leadership of the organization to provide some stimulus to assist the local and regional associations to confidently go ahead with projects over the growing season.

The Regional Communication Grant provides up to $6000 per region to support the eligible activities of the Regional Communication Coordinator, plus up to an additional $500/region for preparing stories for The Innovator.

The Tier One Grant will provide up to $2,500 per local or regional association that can be used for eligible knowledge transfer activities including tours, on-farm demonstrations, guest speakers, and one-year applied research trials.

More details on what is eligible and how to apply, can be found on the website at Grant Guidelines 2021-2023. For now, we will use the same Grant Guidelines that supported the grants between 2021-2023. There is currently no funding available to support Tier Two applied research projects. Local and Regional Associations are strongly urged to submit applications for funding to enable us to accurately track demand and availability. Funding will be provided on a first come, first served basis.

Questions on the Tier One Grants can be directed to Kathleen Pentland in the Guelph office at  kpentland@ontariosoilcrop.org or 519-826-5405.