Talent Innovation Canada (TICAN) with Arrell Food Institute
Canada has an abundance of land, fresh water and skilled labour to lead the future of agri-food. Too often, however, we lose talent to countries with stronger opportunities for commercializing products, scaling technologies and advancing business research and development. Strengthening connections between industry and graduate research can help close this gap.
Arrell Food Institute at the University of Guelph has partnered with Talent Innovation Canada (TICAN) to attract, train and retain the next generation of agri-food innovators by connecting talent with industry and supporting real-world solutions that strengthen Canada’s food system, economy and climate resilience.
Through this partnership, TICAN offers paid industry research placements embedded within a student’s graduate degree program or postdoctoral scholar’s research program. Participants complete their thesis or postdoctoral research while working with Canadian agri-food companies to develop and scale innovative technologies and solutions. Depending on the project, placements may include on-site, hybrid or partner-embedded work.
Together, these partnerships help transform promising research into practical solutions that strengthen the capacity, competitiveness and sustainability of Canada’s agri-food sector.
Have questions about TICAN agri-food placements and the application process? Join our Q&A webinar on Wednesday, June 24th from 1-2 pm EST.
For Agri-Food Industry
With funding and support from TICAN, Arrell Food Institute pairs agri-food industry partners with highly skilled University of Guelph graduate students and Postdoctoral Scholars to help solve business challenges, drive innovation and accelerate commercialization.
Ready to discuss your project?
- Contact Kristy Tomkinson, Program Manager, Arrell Food Institute: tomkinso@uoguelph.ca
- Learn more about the TICAN model: talentinnovationcanada.ca
For Graduate Students and Postdoctoral Scholars
TICAN placements are open to University of Guelph graduate students and Postdoctoral Scholars interested in conducting applied research with industry while completing their degree or research program.
Applications are now open for TICAN agri-food placements. Placements are highly competitive and limited in number.
Application deadline: June 26, 2026
→ Send your application to: ticanapplications@uoguelph.ca.
Learn more about how to apply below.
Have questions about TICAN agri-food placements and the application process?
Join our Q&A webinar on Wednesday, June 24th from 1-2 pm EST.
Who is eligible to apply?
To be eligible you must be enrolled in a thesis-based master’s program (entering semester 3, 4 or 5 of full-time studies as of Sept 1, 2026) or a doctoral program (entering semester 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 of full-time studies as of Sept 1, 2026, and with Qualifying Examinations completed). In addition, with the support of your advisor, you must be willing to direct your thesis research to developing solutions to grow food with lower environmental impact and aligned with industry-identified priorities and project needs, coupled with an outstanding record of academic achievement and research productivity.
University of Guelph Postdoctoral Scholars are also eligible to join the TICAN program with the same expectation that, with support from your supervisor, research will be directed to developing solutions to grow food with lower environmental impact and aligned with industry-identified priorities and project needs, coupled with an outstanding record of academic achievement and research productivity.
What makes a strong application?
- Experience or involvement (e.g., volunteer, employment, knowledge sharing) with agri-food companies or organizations.
- Demonstrated interest in applied research.
- Comfort with industry collaboration.
- Alignment between your research and industry-identified projects/challenges (see list of industry projects).
- Interest in commercialization or innovation.
- An interdisciplinary mindset.
What’s included in a TICAN placement?
Under the TICAN program with AFI, you will:
- Receive $80,000 in funding over eight months as a master’s student or $160,000 in funding over 16 months as a PhD student or Postdoctoral scholar. (The full funding package is provided directly to the participant and includes a $35,000 salary and a $45,000 research stipend per eight-month term).
- Be matched and placed within agri-food industry partners to solve real-world challenges as part of your thesis or dissertation research.
- Receive mentorship and guidance from a multidisciplinary advisory team, including academic, industry, external advisors to support your research and professional development goals.
- Build highly transferable, industry-relevant skills that position you for long-term career opportunities.
- Connect and network with a cohort of researchers, practitioners and professionals within the agri-food sector.
When do placements start and how long are they?
For the 2026-27 cohort, placements will begin in the Fall of 2026 and are typically eight months in length for master’s students and 16 months in length for PhD students and Postdoctoral Scholars.
Additional cohorts will begin in the Fall of 2027 and 2028.
How do I apply?
→ To apply for a TICAN agri-food placement, please submit the following to ticanapplications@uoguelph.ca:
- A statement of research interests and personal motivations for your project(s) of choice (see list of our participating industry partners and their proposed projects).
- A current C.V.
- Unofficial transcript(s) (for master’s and doctoral students only).
- A reference letter from your thesis advisor or postdoctoral supervisor indicating their support for the placement.
If you are already matched with an industry partner, please include a brief description of the business, including:
- Business name and website.
- Name and contact of the industry supervisor (phone number and email address).
- Location.
- Overview of the business: briefly describe its core mission.
- Overview of the project and its intended impact.
Industry partners must meet all TICAN application requirements to be eligible for this program. Industry projects are subject to review and approval by TICAN. Please see the TICAN Industry Project Proposal Form.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the time commitment for a TICAN placement?
The time commitment varies by participant level and project. Master’s placements are typically 8 months in duration, while PhD and postdoctoral placements may extend up to 16 months. Although placements are generally intended to be full-time, the specific workload and schedule will be determined collaboratively by the participant, industry partner, and academic advisor to ensure alignment with academic and industry project objectives.
Are participants eligible to receive additional funding alongside a TICAN placement?
Participants may hold or apply for additional funding opportunities while participating in a TICAN placement, but some exceptions may apply. Please email us at ticanapplications@uoguelph.ca for more information.
Can international students apply?
Yes. International graduate students at the University of Guelph who are eligible to work in Canada may apply.
Do participants remain enrolled full-time in their studies?
Yes. TICAN placements are designed to support the successful completion of a graduate thesis or dissertation. Participants work with industry partners on applied research projects that form a significant part of their academic research requirements.
Are participants expected to complete two separate research projects?
No. TICAN placements are designed to support and enhance a participant’s existing thesis or dissertation research. Participants are not expected to undertake a separate research project; instead, the placement provides an opportunity to apply their research expertise in an industry setting while advancing their academic objectives. Please see the list of proposed industry partners and their projects at the following link: https://arrellfoodinstitute.ca/tican-with-afi/industry-partners-and-proposed-projects/
What is the application review process?
Applications are reviewed by a Review Committee using a standardized assessment process. Candidates who best align with available placement opportunities are shortlisted and referred to relevant industry partners for consideration. A select number of applicants will then be invited to interview with the industry partner and representatives from the University of Guelph before final placement decisions are made.
