AgriDiversity Program: Step 1. What this program offers

Step 1. What this program offers
Step 2. Eligibility
Step 3. Before you apply
Step 4. How to apply
Step 5. Complete the application and apply
Step 6. After you apply
Contact information

Step 1. What this program offers

Intake period: Closed

Information about the second intake of applications will be available here soon, for the 2026-27 and 2027-28 program years.

The program ends March 31, 2028.

The AgriDiversity Program is a $5-million program under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP).

Program objectives

If you receive funding, you'll work to meet the program objectives

support projects aimed at helping Indigenous Peoples and other underrepresented and marginalized groups in Canadian agriculture — including women, youth, persons with disabilities, visible minorities, 2SLGBTQI+ communities, and official language minority communities — to fully participate in the sector by helping these groups address the key issues and barriers they often face for sector participation
help activities that promote the benefits of a career in agriculture and that enhance the public's perception of agriculture and its role in the economy
help Canadian organizations working in the agriculture and agri-food sector that:
- engage, train and empower underrepresented and marginalized groups so they can succeed in the Canadian agriculture and agri-food sector
- work with Indigenous communities to increase their involvement in the sector thereby supporting the Government of Canada's commitment to reconciliation and inclusive economic growth
- provide opportunities for sector participation to youth, women, persons with disabilities, visible minorities, 2SLGBTQI+ communities, and official language minority communities
help Indigenous Peoples and other underrepresented and marginalized groups in the agriculture and agri-food sector:
- become aware of business management strategies and tools. With training and the necessary tools, the sector will have the ability to adapt to emerging issues (for example, regulatory challenges, sustainability and market opportunities), and advance economic growth
- enhance entrepreneurial capacity, business skills and sector leadership of Indigenous Peoples and other underrepresented and marginalized groups
- learn about available career opportunities in the agriculture and agri-food sector

The program aims to strengthen the sector and build its capacity by:

helping members from underrepresented and marginalized groups to develop their leadership skills to take on a greater leadership role
building the entrepreneurial capacity and business skills of Indigenous Peoples and other underrepresented and marginalized groups in the agriculture and agri-food sector
facilitating the sharing of industry experience, best practices and knowledge to help Indigenous Peoples and other underrepresented and marginalized groups manage transformation and adapt to changes in their business operations
strengthening the sector by incorporating views from a greater diversity of sector players

Funding

If you receive funding, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) may contribute a total up to $200,000 per year or a maximum of $1 million toward your project(s) over the duration of the program.

The program provides non-repayable contributions to support activities that strengthen Canada's agriculture sector to better leverage the potential offered by:

Youth
Women
Indigenous Peoples
persons with disabilities
visible minorities
2SLGBTQI+ communities
official language minority communities

Cost-sharing

Contributions toward eligible costs will normally be shared between AAFC and you as follows:

AAFC — a maximum of 70%
You — a minimum of 30%

Your portion of the cost-share can be a combination of both cash contributions^{note 1} and in-kind contributions.^{note 2} In-kind contributions can only account for a maximum of 25% of total eligible costs to complete the project.

If you're an Indigenous applicant and would like more information about program funding, please contact the Indigenous Pathfinder Service by email at aafc.indigenouspathfinder-explorateurautochtone.aac@agr.gc.ca or telephone: 1-866-367-8506.

Notes

Note 1

A cash contribution means the cash provided by either your organization or by a participant/contributor (such as a partner or other government) secured by your organization for the project and used during the life of the project to pay for eligible costs for goods and/or services required to complete project activities. To be considered a cash contribution to the project, the funds must be used to pay for eligible costs.

Return to note 1 referrer

Note 2

In-kind means the fair market value of goods and/or services that are contributed to a project's eligible costs and require no outlay of cash by your organization or by a participant/contributor (such as a partner or other government). If your organization does not pay for goods and/or services required for a project, the values may be shown as in-kind contributions. Any in-kind contributions must be made toward eligible costs, be essential to complete project activities, achieve project results, and would otherwise have to be purchased or paid for by your organization. These contributions will not be reimbursed by AAFC.

Examples of potential in-kind contributions:

equipment required for the project (with a useful life in excess of 1 year and a per item cost greater than $10,000) is already owned by you or was donated or loaned by a participant/contributor
an inspection required for the project, is donated without charge by a participant/contributor

We reserve the right to make the final determination of the eligibility and value of in-kind contributions, to disallow expenditures, and reduce the funds. To avoid a situation where in-kind contributions may later be deemed ineligible or incorrectly valued, associations are advised to contact AAFC program staff early in the process to confirm the eligibility and valuation of an in-kind contribution.

Return to note 2 referrer