Researcher Resources

Research and development that provides knowledge, practices and information to allow the industry to continue to advance is highly valued by Ontario producers.

Their commitment to research is exemplified by their creation and maintenance of the Ontario Pork Research Fund.  Pork producers in the province contribute 10 cents per hog marketed to this fund.

Notice:

Ontario Pork policy is to pay up to a maximum of 25% on eligible overhead costs on Ontario Pork-funded research projects.

Call for Proposals

Ontario Pork is pleased to announce a call for Letters of Intent (LOI) for research projects that focus on the Ontario swine industry and meet the overarching research objectives of:

  • Innovation of technology and automation
    • Manure pit cleaning/disinfection methods and infected manure management to mitigate African swine fever *
    • RFID automation improvements for improved sow management
    • Novel technologies to assist with safe and efficient euthanasia of 8-20kg pigs
  • Trade policy, economics, and consumer studies
    • Impacts of increased dedication of livestock trailers to U.S. loads only for increased biosecurity
    • Global trade policy analysis and their impacts on the export of Ontario/Canadian Pork
    • Understanding factors contributing to decreasing domestic pork consumption and identifying methods to improve its appeal to younger generations
  • Testing potential improvements to current swine industry practices

     

*Note: Consultation with Swine Health Ontario preferred on this topic. Please reach out to Jessica Fox at [email protected] for further information.

All research projects that align with these objectives will be considered, including, but not limited to, swine health, swine welfare, swine nutrition, swine husbandry, swine reproduction, barn design and management, employee health and safety, meat quality and safety, marketing and consumer trends and environmental and economic sustainability. 

Highest priority is given to projects that demonstrate scientific merit as well as strong identification of the benefit of project results to Ontario pork producers and an indication of input or support of a project from swine industry members outside of academia. 

Specific details of what is expected can be found in the Outline for completion of the Ontario Pork LOI. 

Letters of intent should be completed electronically through the research portal.

Prior to applying, applicants should review Ontario Pork’s conditions of funding approval. These conditions and the outline for completing the LOI can be found at the application site.

Timeline for 2027

DateEvent
July 27, 2026Researchers notified of the OP call for research and the LOIs become accessible on the
research portal.
October 13, 2026LOI due by 12:00pm (noon)
Week of December 14, 2026Researchers notified of LOI outcome
January 22, 2027Full proposal due by 4:30pm on this date for selected LOIs
February 2027Short presentations to the Committee for selected proposals
Week of March 17, 2027Researchers notified of full proposal outcome

Submission Documents

Please direct any questions pertaining to the research funding process of Ontario Pork to the team by email at [email protected]

Let us know how our staff can help.

Got questions about research or need a bit more info? Our team’s ready to help—just reach out, and we’re happy to assist!

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