Variety Licensing
The Crop Development Centre (CDC) manages the commercialization and licensing of its crop varieties through a structured, transparent, and competitive process designed to maximize impact for producers, industry, and the long-term advancement of Canadian agriculture.
Licensing Approach
The CDC provides access to its crop varieties, technologies, and trait components through licensing. Crop varieties may be licensed on either an exclusive or non-exclusive basis, depending on the crop, market, and strategic objectives. Parties interested in a tailor-made licensing arrangement, or who have questions regarding CDC varieties, are encouraged to contact the CDC.
Variety Tendering Proposal Process
CDC varieties are licensed to qualified commercialization partners through a formal Request for Proposal (RFP) and evaluation process. This process ensures that each variety is matched with partners who demonstrate the technical capacity, market reach, and strategic alignment required to successfully multiply, market, and steward the variety in Canada and, where appropriate, internationally.
The Variety Tendering Proposal Guidelines provide an overview of the CDC variety licensing process, including proposal requirements, and evaluation procedures.
When an RFP is active, a submission form (optional) will be posted on this page and may be used to submit proposals by the stated deadline. Proponents whose proposals are accepted will be invited to discuss substantive licensing terms. An invitation to negotiate does not guarantee that a license agreement will be executed.
Breeder Seed Requirements and Pricing
For some crops, the successful proponent may be required to purchase a minimum quantity of Breeder Seed, potentially over multiple years. Minimum purchase requirements vary by crop kind and will be identified in the applicable RFP documentation.
The CDC continues to maintain a revenue-neutral cost structure for Breeder Seed; therefore, pricing may vary slightly over time. Current Breeder Seed pricing is available on the CDC website under Request for Breeder Seed.
Stewardship and Commercialization
All variety licensing activities are administered by the CDC, ensuring that CDC-developed crop varieties are deployed in a manner that supports innovation, market development, and long-term value creation for producers and the broader agricultural sector.
Join our mailing list
Please sign up for our variety tender email list and we will notify you about new varieties and important dates for submitting a variety tendering proposal.