Canadian Agricultural Strategic Priorities Program - 2. Eligibility

2. Eligibility

Check if you meet the criteria to apply.

Eligibility checklist

You must meet all of the following criteria to be eligible.

    • Canadian agriculture and agri-food sector-based organizations that represent, or have established partnershipsnote 1 with, the full sector relevant to your project's objective, and collectively reflect the interest and needs of the sector across Canada. These sector-based organizations include:
      • not-for-profit organizations, such as:
        • national or regional associations
        • cooperatives
        • marketing boards
      • for-profit organizations in Canada with a project that offers benefits to the whole sector or the public and not for private gain/profitnote 2
    • Indigenous Groups (First Nation, Inuit, and Métis)
    • Provincial or territorial government

    • is led by a Canadian organization working in agriculture or the agriculture and agri-food sector
    • can be structured as a joint application amongst groups that represent the targeted agriculture and agri-food sector (Canadian or sector-wide)
    • benefits the stakeholders of the targeted agriculture and agri-food sector, and both public and private participants in the entire sector

    • Strategic planning and capacity building
    • Adaptation to new technology
    • Environmental sustainability

Eligible activities

Your project(s) must support the continued development of a strong and prosperous Canadian agriculture and agri-food sector(s) that helps to strengthen Canada's new economic realities.

Your project(s) should focus upon one or more of the following program priorities:

Strategic development and capacity building

Eligible activities include:

  • Plan and carry out strategic initiatives that align with Canadian agriculture and agri-food sector tables or forums to address shared challenges and opportunities.
  • Build the ability of organizations and the sector to respond to changes in markets, trade, and consumer needs.
  • Support projects that modernize how organizations are run and how they deliver services.
  • Create ways for stakeholders to work together across the Canadian agriculture or agri-food value chain to boost innovation, competitiveness, and impact.
  • Develop skills, leadership, and tools to help organizations manage change and grow.
  • Provide training, mentoring, workshops, or presentations when they support project goals or share results.
  • Share key project results with the Canadian agriculture and agri-food sector through targeted activities (does not include hosting conferences or travel for members).

This priority supports projects that ensure Canada's agriculture and agri-food sectors are well structured and equipped to respond to present and future challenges that may constrain growth and competitiveness. Strong sector capacity is necessary to advance strategic priorities and to navigate ongoing change, including:

  • trade and regulatory pressures
  • evolving consumer preferences
  • rapid technological advancement.

Your project(s) should emphasize:

  • improving the sector's ability to coordinate, adapt, and make informed decisions in support of Canada's agricultural sustainability and competitiveness objectives, including:
    • collaborative planning
    • scenario development
    • preparedness analysis
    • creation of tools, frameworks, and governance approaches

Projects under this priority should help organizations and sectors strengthen their foundations and position themselves for long-term competitiveness in Canada's evolving economy.

Adaptation to new technology

Eligible activities include:

  • Develop coordinated approaches to help sectors prepare for and use new opportunities.
  • Build digital tools and platforms to improve connection and efficiency across the sector.
  • Use artificial intelligence and other advanced technologies to improve operations and decision-making.
  • Design and test new approaches that help sectors adopt modern technology.
  • Create new products and services using technology.
  • Work with innovators and AAFC researchers to test and adopt new technologies.
  • Provide training, mentoring, workshops, or presentations to test, show, or share project results.

This priority supports projects that enable Canadian agriculture and agri-food sector organizations to adopt and implement leading technologies that strengthen innovation, connectivity, and long-term sector growth.

Your project(s) should emphasize:

  • addressing barriers to adoption while encouraging new and improved methods of engaging with sector participants and driving collective progress
  • advancements, including, but not limited to:
    • improvements in data use and data systems
    • communication and information management
    • innovative solutions for:
      • technology testing
      • AI/machine learning integration
      • techniques and modernization of traditional sector practices

Projects in this area should show how organizations are equipping themselves—and their sectors—to thrive in a rapidly changing, technology-driven economy.

Environmental sustainability

Eligible activities include:

  • Develop and carry out projects that reduce environmental impact and improve resilience using new technologies.
  • Show and adopt sustainable practices that improve efficiency, lower emissions, and protect natural resources.
  • Help the sector adapt to climate change while staying competitive.
  • Support and align with broader sustainability programs and federal priorities, including the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership.
  • Test or scale technologies that help meet environmental and market expectations.
  • Provide training, mentoring, workshops, or presentations to test, show, or share project results.

This priority supports projects in Canada's agriculture and agri-food sectors that:

  • promote environmentally and socially responsible practices
  • improve the efficient use of resources
  • strengthen the sector's capacity to adapt and thrive amid environmental and climatic challenges
  • encourage sustainable methods that reduce environmental footprints while supporting climate resilience and responsible growth.

Projects in this priority help the sector become more resilient, resource-efficient, and climate-smart.

Ineligible activities

Your project should not include activities that:

  • influence or lobby governments
  • promote or advertise a specific product or commodity, including attending trade shows or trade missions
  • are part of regular business activities, such as product launches, company expansion, entering new markets, or starting or growing a business
    • This program does not fund ongoing operating costs or regular cash flow support
      • The program may consider one-time, short-term support to help an industry adapt or stay competitive, but not if it only benefits one business
  • involve basic or commercial research, such as regulatory applications or clinical trials
  • run general awareness campaigns that are not tied to a project goal or to sharing results with agriculture stakeholders
  • hold stand-alone or recurring events (like meetings, trade shows, or conferences) that are not part of a larger project with clear results
  • include costs to organize or host conferences, such as food, fees, venue rental, event planning, or staff costs to attend
  • include training, mentoring, or conference attendance that is not directly tied to the project's goals or to sharing its results

Eligible costs

Eligible costs are project expenses, claimed or contributed, that fall within the set program cost categories and respect all program limitations. To be considered eligible, costs must:

  • be non-organizational and directly linked to project results, such as hiring expert consultants or testing technologies to show solutions to sector challenges
  • be included in the project application form budget
  • be related to the activities included in the work plan
  • be incurred within the work plan activities timeframe

Note: Costs you incur before AAFC approval or the project start date may not be reimbursed by AAFC, and you may be solely responsible for those expenditures.

For more information and details on cost categories, eligible costs, limitations or instructions, refer to Eligible costs (Complete the application and apply).

Ineligible costs

Costs that are not eligible for funding include, but are not limited to:

  • in-kind contributions
  • minor assets or capital items not essential for project execution
  • direct income support
  • building or land purchases
  • routine costs associated with establishing a commercial operation
  • refundable portions of GST/HST, value-added taxes, or other recoverable amounts

Expected results

Your application must show how the activities support a competitive and market-oriented agriculture, agri-food and agri-based products sector that proactively manages risk through:

  • supporting sustainable growth, adaptation and sector prosperity
  • supporting the sector to be more innovative, safer and stronger
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