Agricultural Clean Technology Program Research and Innovation Stream – Accelerator: Step 1. What this program offers

Step 1. What this program offers

Intake period: Closed

Applications were accepted from November 25, 2024 to January 10, 2025.

The program ends on March 31, 2028.

The Accelerator is a pilot initiative under the Agricultural Clean Technology Program: Research and Innovation Stream. It provides up to $28 million in funding over 3 years through the Agricultural Clean Technology Program.

The Accelerator will provide funding to eligible not-for-profit organizations (Initial Recipients) that will, in turn, use their specific networks and expertise to further distribute these funds to other organizations (Ultimate Recipients) in support of their research and innovation objectives.

Program objectives

The program aims to:

• support technology development at a range of pre-market readiness levels, with a focus on early stages of development, as well as late-stage technology demonstration
• leverage the existing networks and expertise of the Initial Recipients to expand the reach of funding
• support a variety of innovative clean technologies, specifically targeting those that align with key priorities, including:
  • Technologies that reduce methane emissions
  • Low carbon energy/fuel systems
  • Emissions quantification
  • Technologies that reduce emissions from fertilizer use
  • Agriculture waste reduction or reuse
  • Other environmental benefits
• provide organizations with access to support services and resources through not-for-profit business accelerators, incubators, and networks
• help to deepen collaborative partnerships and coordination within the ag-tech innovation ecosystem, including with technology developers, organizations supporting the development and adoption of technology, and producers
• allocate funding towards direct financial support for projects of companies developing technologies that will enable producers and processors to significantly reduce direct greenhouse gas emissions

Funding

The program will provide non-repayable contributions up to $8 million over 3 years per Initial Recipient over the duration of the program ending March 31, 2028. Program funding may be limited to approximately 2 to 4 Initial Recipients.

Further distribution of funds

The program will provide funding to eligible not-for-profit organizations (Initial Recipients) that will, in turn, use their specific networks and expertise to further distribute these funds to other organizations (Ultimate Recipients) in support of their research and innovation objectives.

An Initial Recipient:

• has a direct funding relationship and agreement with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC)
• designs and implements a clear, transparent and open decision-making process to select Ultimate Recipients
• designs and implements a funding distribution process
• reports to AAFC on financials and the aggregate project results achieved
• is responsible for monitoring Ultimate Recipients and their obligations as outlined in the funding agreement between the Initial Recipient and the Ultimate Recipient

An Ultimate Recipient:

• has a direct funding relationship and agreement with the Initial Recipient only
• does not have a relationship with AAFC
• is responsible for implementing a project and reporting to the Initial Recipient, as per their funding agreement

Ultimate Recipient organizations could include:

• ag-tech companies
• agri-food processors
• co-operatives
• Indigenous groups

Ultimate Recipient project activities may consist of pre-market innovation including research, development, demonstration, and knowledge transfer, among other activities as determined by the Initial Recipient.

Cost-sharing

The program may provide up to 100% of funding to Initial Recipients.

Proposals that demonstrate an organization's ability to contribute or leverage other funds will be a consideration during the assessment.