FAST TAKE
- What it is: The CPBI Scholarship recognizes top graduate students in plant breeding and genetics who are already contributing to Canada’s seed sector.
- Why it matters: It builds the next generation of plant breeders and strengthens the foundation of Canadian agriculture.
- How to get involved: Become a sponsor and help power the innovations that will define the next decades of farming.
- For sponsorship opportunities or more information about the program, contact Marc Zienkiewicz at mzienkiewicz@seedworldgroup.com.
In the world of plant breeding, innovation doesn’t start in the boardroom — it starts in the lab and the field, with students who see what’s possible before anyone else does. The Canadian Plant Breeding Innovation (CPBI) Scholarship exists to identify and elevate those students — and for sponsors, it’s one of the most strategic investments you can make in the future of Canadian agriculture.
A Scholarship That Fuels an Industry
Each year, the CPBI Scholarship recognizes three exceptional Master’s or PhD students studying plant breeding or genetics at leading Canadian universities. These are not just top students; they are active contributors to variety development — the people turning genetic potential into tomorrow’s market-ready seed.
Winners come from institutions such as the University of Alberta, University of Saskatchewan, University of Manitoba, University of Guelph, McGill University, Université Laval, and the University of British Columbia, representing every region of the country and every crop class, from cereals to pulses to horticulture.
Why Sponsorship Matters
Supporting the CPBI Scholarship isn’t just philanthropy — it’s talent development with a purpose. Every year, the seed sector faces the same challenge: how do we attract, train, and retain the next generation of breeders who can take on the climate, yield, and quality challenges facing Canadian agriculture?
100% of the sponsorship dollars go directly toward identifying and rewarding the best emerging talent in the field — people who will one day drive innovation at seed companies, research institutions, and farms across Canada.
When your organization sponsors the CPBI Scholarship, you’re not just funding an award. You’re helping ensure that:
- New varieties keep coming to market that improve yield, quality, and sustainability.
- Canada remains a global leader in plant science and genetic innovation.
- Students see plant breeding as a viable, rewarding career with real industry connections.
A Legacy of Leadership
Past CPBI Scholarship recipients (see the video above) have gone on to work with top seed companies, lead research programs, and even launch their own ventures in plant genetics. The award acts as both a financial boost and an early endorsement — a stamp of excellence that helps propel recipients toward leadership roles in agriculture and beyond.
Sponsors become part of that story. Their names are featured alongside the award throughout national coverage by Seed World Canada, giving them visibility across the country’s most influential seed and ag-innovation network.
How It Works
Each year, three students are selected based on:
- Academic excellence in the past two years.
- Hands-on contributions to the seed market, through breeding, genetics, or variety development.
- Endorsements from professors or industry mentors, demonstrating both technical skill and leadership potential.
Applicants submit a résumé or summary of experience, along with two recommendation letters, making the process both rigorous and personal — and ensuring that only the most impactful students rise to the top.
Be Part of Building What Comes Next
As Canadian agriculture continues to evolve, innovation will depend on people — people with the knowledge, creativity, and drive to rethink how we grow food. The CPBI Scholarship is one of the few national programs that directly connects those people to the industry that needs them most.
Becoming a sponsor means helping shape that future. It’s a partnership between education, science, and the business of feeding the world — and it starts with your support.
For sponsorship opportunities or more information about the program, contact Marc Zienkiewicz at mzienkiewicz@seedworldgroup.com.
