Agricultural Clean Technology Program Research and Innovation Stream – Accelerator: Step 5. Complete the application and apply

Step 5. Complete the application and apply

A complete application package includes the Stage 1 - Application Form and the Stage 2 - Additional Information Form.

How to complete the Stage 1 - Application Form

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) uses the information you provide in the application form to determine if your proposed project is eligible.

The Stage 1 - Application Form has 8 sections:

Organization information

AAFC uses the information you provide in this section to confirm your organization's identity and to verify your organization's eligibility for funding.

Refer to the Eligibility checklist to determine if your organization is eligible under this program.

1. Organization type

Are you a not-for profit organization? Yes or No

2. Organization identification
Legal name of your organization

Your organization's legal name, as it appears on legal documents such as articles of incorporation, certificate of incorporation, etc.

Operating as (if used)

Enter the name under which your organization operates, if that name is different from its legal name. If you do not use an 'operating as' name, provide your organization's legal name.

Organization's website

Provide a link to your organization's website.

CRA business number

Enter the first 9 digits of your organization's 15-digit Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) business number.
Example: 123456789 RR 0001

If you don't have a CRA Business Number, select the checkbox "The organization or business does not have a Business Number" and provide an explanation. Note: you must get a CRA Business Number if your project is approved for funding.

3. Primary contact for the application

Enter the contact information of the person in your organization who is responsible for responding to inquiries about the application.

First name and last name

Provide the name of the person in your organization who will be AAFC's primary contact for the application.

Position title

Provide the position title of the primary contact. For example, Business Owner, President, Executive Director.

Email address and phone number(s)

Provide the email and phone number(s) of the primary contact. Please note AAFC will use this information to communicate with your organization about the application.

Language of correspondence

Provide the preferred language, English or French, of the primary contact for written and verbal communication.

4. Project contact

If your project is approved for funding, this is the person who will discuss the project with AAFC. This person can be the same as the Primary Contact.

First name and last name

Provide the name of the person in your organization who will be AAFC's project contact for the application.

Position title

Please give the position title of the project contact. For example, Business Owner, President, Executive Director.

Email address and phone number(s)

Provide the email and phone number(s) of the project contact. Please note, AAFC will use this information to communicate with your organization about your proposed program.

Language of correspondence

Provide the preferred language, English or French, of the project contact for written and verbal communication.

5. Mailing address

Enter the complete address of your organization's headquarters or regional headquarters.

Organization overview and capacity

AAFC will use the information you provide in this section to understand more about your organization and to assess your organization's ability to carry out the project.

6. How many employees work for your organization?

Include the total number of all full-time and part-time employees on your organization's payroll. Don't include contractors.

7. Describe your organization (for example, when it was established, the mandate or mission, and who it serves)

Include your organization's mandate or mission, priorities, and who they serve. Your response should include the following information:

  • Your organization's mandate or mission, priorities, and who it serves
  • A brief history of your organization including when it was established and any significant changes in the past 2 years (for example, a significant increase or decrease of staff, changes to executive leadership/Board of Directors, a change in mandate)
  • Your organization's governance structure and any internal policies you have in place with respect to values and ethics, conflict of interest, etc.
8. Describe your organization's experience with project or program delivery

This long-form response should provide information on the life-cycle of delivering a project such as this, including design, management, monitoring, and reporting. Specifically, your response should include the following information:

  • Name of project(s) previously delivered
  • Description of the project(s), including a brief overview, the management structure, the budget, and duration
  • How the project(s) was implemented, including details on the design, and planning process
  • Project(s) objectives, monitoring process, extrapolation of results, and reporting mechanisms
  • Explain if the projects(s) required further distribution of funds to Ultimate Recipients
  • Connection to AAFC if applicable
9. Describe how your organization has experience working collaboratively with stakeholders, start-ups, companies, industry associations, for-profits, etc.

The purpose of this question is to assess your organization's experience in working collaboratively with different partners, which will also help us assess your ability to implement and monitor your proposal successfully. Details about the nature and scope of the involvement with stakeholders should be included, along with details such as the network of organizations you have in place, the types of organizations, and the extend of your reach (that is, Regional, Provincial, National).

10. Describe how your organization has experience working in the agriculture and agri-food sector

Include the nature and scope of your involvement working in the agriculture and agri-food sector.

Examples may include:

  • management of previous projects/programs that focused on the sector
  • participation in sector-specific industry collaboration
  • support you have provided in a related field

Include details such as who, what, when, where, why, and how.

11. Describe how your organization develops clean technology or helps bring clean technology to market

If your organization develops innovative clean technology or supports others bringing clean technology to the market, include details such as who, what, when, where, why, and how.

12. Responses to question 12 will be used for reporting and program planning purposes, and will not impact the success of the application
12a. Does the mandate/mission of your organization target any of the following groups? (Select all that apply)

Indigenous peoples

The collective name for the original peoples of Canada and their descendants and consists of distinct, rights-bearing communities comprising First Nations peoples, Inuit, and Metis.

First Nations
A people composed of many different nations having their own origin, history and culture, and whose members have called North America home for thousands of years. First Nations include status and non-status IndiansEndnote 1.
Inuit
A people that inhabit or that traditionally inhabited the northern regions and Arctic coasts of Canada known as Inuit Nunangat, and whose members are united by a common origin, history and cultureEndnote 1.
Métis
A people whose members are of mixed First Nations and European ancestry, are united by a common origin, history and culture, and are generally accepted by the Métis NationEndnote 1.

Indigenous organizations may include:

  • Aggregated Indigenous entities (as self-defined by Indigenous groups, could be linked by cultural or linguistic background, geographical area or historical treaty lines)
  • Associations
  • National and regional Indigenous organizations
  • Indigenous non-governmental and voluntary associations and organizations, including non-profit organizations and corporations
  • Self-governing Indigenous governments
Women
One of many gender identities. Includes all people who identify as women.
Youth
Individuals aged 35 and under.
2SLGBTQI+
Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and other people who identify as part of sexual and gender diverse communities who use additional terminologiesEndnote 2.
Persons with disabilities
The Employment Equity Act defines "persons with disabilities" as persons who have a long-term or recurring physical, mental, sensory, psychiatric or learning impairment and who:
  • consider themselves to be disadvantaged in employment by reason of that impairment
  • believe that an employer or potential employer is likely to consider them to be disadvantaged in employment by reason of that impairment

Includes persons whose functional limitations owing to their impairment have been accommodated in their current job or workplace.

Members of visible minorities
The Employment Equity Act defines "members of visible minorities" as persons, other than Aboriginal peoples, who are non-Caucasian in race or non-white in colour.
Decline to identify
Use this selection if you do not want to disclose this information at the time of your application.
Not applicable
Use this selection if the question is not relevant to your organization.
12b. Is your organization majority owned (more than 50%) by one or more of the following groups? (Select all that apply)

See the information above for groups included in question 12a, as well as the following groups:

Gender parity
A minimum of 50% women and/or non-binary individuals.
Non-binary
A person whose gender identity does not align with a binary understanding of gender such as man or woman. It is a gender identity which may include man and woman, androgynous, fluid, multiple, no gender, or a different gender outside of the "woman—man" spectrum.
12c. Does your organization's Board of Directors have a diverse composition with significant representation (30% or more) from one or more of the following groups? (Select all that apply)

See the information above for groups included in question 12a and question 12b.

12d. Does your organization have a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Plan or a Human Resources Plan that supports diversity, equity and inclusion?
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Plan
An employment equity plan addresses under-representation of marginalized groups such as Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, visible minorities, women, youth, 2SLGBTQI+ people, and official language minority people and employment barriers they may face. A Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Plan goes beyond an employment equity plan to address under-representation and employment barriers for equity and equity seeking groups to advance diversity, equity and inclusion commitments in the workplace.
Human resources plan that supports DEI
A plan that links human resources management to the organizations overall strategic and operational plans and includes objectives to advance diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace.
12e. Does your organization commit to the 50 - 30 Challenge: Your Diversity Advantage?

The 50 - 30 Challenge is an initiative co-created by the Government of Canada, civil society and the private sector that aims to attain gender parity and significant representation (at least 30%) of other under-represented groups on boards and senior management positions in order to build a more diverse, inclusive, and vibrant economic future for Canadians.

The challenge will allow a variety of organizations to participate across 3 program streams including small and medium-sized enterprises and non-profit organizations, and those without Boards of Directors or senior management teams. The Challenge includes organizations that meet the Challenge and organizations that are working towards the Challenge.

For more information, please visit: The 50 - 30 Challenge: Your Diversity Advantage (Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada)

13. Has your organization received any funding from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada within the last 6 years?

If yes, and if known, list:

  • the program(s) your organization received funding from
  • the name of the projects
  • the amount received

Project information

Note: The Initial Recipients selected must present a project to further distribute funding to organizations that support the development of clean technology that will reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions or provide other environmental benefits, and promote sustainable growth in Canada's agriculture and agri-food sector. The selected Initial Recipients will be responsible for distributing funds to Ultimate Recipients such as ag-tech companies, agri-food processors, co-operatives, and Indigenous groups.

AAFC will use the information in this section to determine the eligibility of your proposed project.

14. Project title

Provide a short, descriptive project title that accurately reflects the activities and results of your proposed project.

15. Project start and end dates

Provide the dates your proposed project will start and finish.

Note: Any costs incurred before the date of approval or after March 31, 2028, are ineligible for reimbursement under the program and will not be accepted under the contribution agreement.

If your application is approved, AAFC may consider costs incurred during the review period to be eligible as long as they were incurred on or after the deemed complete date. No commitment or obligation exists on the part of AAFC to make a financial contribution to a project, including any costs incurred or paid prior to a signed contribution agreement.

16. How much funding are you seeking from the program?

Enter the project costs and the AAFC funding you are requesting. AAFC will provide non-repayable contributions that will generally not exceed $8 million per Initial Recipient over the duration of the program, ending March 31, 2028. For more information refer to the Funding (Step 1), Cost-sharing (Step 1) and Eligible costs (Step 2).

17. Project location

Provide the name of the region and/or province(s) and territory(ies) where your proposed project would take place.

18. Project category

The objectives of the program are to support pre-market innovation, including research, development, demonstration, and commercialization activities, to develop innovative clean technologies and enable the expansion of current technologies under the following 3 priority areas:



Indicate how your proposed project fits within the priority areas you selected.

19. Project objective

Provide a clear and concise summary of the project, using non-technical plain language. The summary should provide the following elements:

  • High-level detail on the proposed activities
  • What questions or gaps the project attempts to answer and why
  • Where the project will take place

If the project is approved for funding, this summary will be used publicly on Government of Canada websites.

20. Provide a brief overview of how you plan to implement your proposed project

Briefly describe how you will implement the proposed project, including details on the design, and how it will be managed and monitored. Proposals demonstrating the ability to collaborate with other organizations and industry stakeholders to increase project capacity, knowledge transfer, and technology adoption will be considered favourably during assessment.

21. Describe how the proposed project will contribute to maximizing direct GHG emission reductions and/or other environmental benefits

The program focuses primarily on GHG reduction and considers other environmental benefits. Describe the types of projects and applicants you will aim to connect with to meet this objective. Direct GHG emissions refer to emissions directly related to the project implementation rather than influencing upstream or downstream emissions.

22. Environmental considerations

In accordance with the Impact Assessment Act (IAA), AAFC must determine if projects that take place on federal land are likely to cause significant environmental damage. Review each question in relation to your project.

A. Is the proposal a "project" as defined by the IAA?

Examples of projects include:

  • construction of a greenhouse
  • installation of a permanent irrigation system
  • building construction or demolition
  • any other activity related to a permanent human-made work

Activities that are not considered projects include:

  • administrative or marketing activities
  • workshops
  • training or hiring staff
  • installation of temporary or portable systems
  • any other activity not related to a physical work
B. Where does the project take place?

AAFC has certain obligations under the IAA, if providing financial assistance to projects on federal land. Under the IAA, "federal lands" means:

  1. lands that belong to His Majesty in right of Canada, or that His Majesty in right of Canada has the power to dispose of, and all waters on and airspace above those lands, other than lands under the administration and control of the Commissioner of Yukon, the Northwest Territories or Nunavut;
  2. the following lands and area:
    1. the internal waters of Canada, in any area of the sea not within a province,
    2. the territorial sea of Canada, in any area of the sea not within a province,
    3. the exclusive economic zone of Canada, and
    4. the continental shelf of Canada; and
  3. reserves, surrendered lands and any other lands that are set apart for the use and benefit of a band and that are subject to the Indian Act, and all waters on and airspace above those reserves or lands.

If you answer "Yes" or "Unsure" to Question A and "Federal lands or lands outside Canada" or "Reserves, surrendered land or other land set apart for the use and benefit of a band and that are subject to the Indian Act" to Question B, further assessment may be required. AAFC will contact you as necessary.

Project data collection

Your answers to question 23a, question 23b, and question 23c below will be used for reporting and program planning purposes, and will not impact the success of the application.

23a. North American Industry Classification System

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) is an industry classification system developed by the statistical agencies of Canada, Mexico and the United States.

For more information, visit North American Industry Classification System (Statistics Canada).

AAFC has identified the following NAICS category options for this program. Select the NAICS identifier that best applies to the project or to the industry the project represents:

  • Agricultural Production
  • Food and Beverage Manufacturing
  • Other Manufacturing
  • Other

Then, select the NAICS identifier that best applies to the overall intent of your project or to the activity with the highest dollar value.

23b. Select any of the following groups who will directly benefit from the intent of this project's activities

See the information above for groups included in question 12a.

23c. Official languages

AAFC is committed to enhancing the vitality of official language minority communities (OLMCs), supporting and assisting their development, and promoting the full recognition and use of both English and French in Canadian society.

OLMCs consist of Francophones outside Quebec and Anglophones in Quebec. These communities are often represented by provincial and regional organizations.

Audience

Do the project activities have the potential to reach an audience of both English and French speakers?

Community who will benefit

If approved, will the project activities specifically target an official language minority community (French speakers outside Quebec or English speakers in Quebec)?

If the approved project involves activities that may have an impact on OLMCs or promote the use of English and French, we will include appropriate commitments in agreements with your organization and additional expenses incurred as a result of these commitments will be considered eligible for contribution funding.

Activities can include, but are not limited to:

  • Communications
    • Project web pages and/or project social media account(s) produced and maintained in both official languages
    • Project materials offered in both official languages (brochures, kits, handouts, newsletters, reports, etc.)
    • Directional and educational signs produced in both official languages
    • Project-related advertisement in OLMC media (newspapers, radio, social media)
    • Bilingual coordinator or other contractor hired to help deliver project-related activities in both official languages (for example, master of ceremony for a project event, workshop facilitator or simultaneous translator)
    • Distribution of invitations in both official languages
    • Knowledge transfer activities
  • Outreach
    • One or more OLMCs are included in the project target groups (for example, for example, as in-kind or cash partners in project budget or to be invited to project events)
    • Other groups representing OLMCs are consulted to see if there is any potential for involvement on their end
    • Travel to or from OLMCs (costs associated with these project activities included in project budget)

If your project is funded, your organization may be required to publicly acknowledge AAFC's support for the project, in both official languages, and in a form determined by Canada.

Declarations

Read and complete the declarations in questions 24 to 27. Declarations include:

  • Unpaid depts to the Government of Canada
  • Lobbying activities
  • Conflict of interest
  • Privacy Notice Statement

Documents

In addition to your completed application form, you must submit the following required documents to AAFC as your complete application package for Stage 1.

Required: A copy of the organization's Certificate of Incorporation or Articles of Incorporation

Certificates and Articles of Incorporation are issued and filed, respectively, by or with provincial, territorial or federal government that document the organization's status as a legal entity.

Documentation for First Nations and Tribal Councils is not required.

Additional options for other Indigenous applicants:

  • Director's Resolution
  • self-government agreement or modern treaty agreement
  • legal document stating they are a legal entity can be accepted as proof the organization is a legal entity

Required: Your Business Plan or Strategic Plan

Include a copy of the current Business or Strategic Plan for the organization. If no plan is available, please briefly describe the short and long-term objectives of the organization and how your proposed project fits in with these objectives.

Signature

Review, complete and sign the acknowledgement and declaration statements.

Review and Submit

After you complete your application form and include the additional documents, please submit your application.

If you have any trouble when you complete or submit the application, please contact the program.

How to complete the Stage 2 - Additional Information Form

After you submit your Stage 1 - Application Form, you may be invited to provide additional information. If invited, we'll email the Stage 2 - Additional Information Form package to you. The package will include instructions to complete the form.

Information in Stage 2 may include (but may not be limited to):

  • your experience assessing projects from an environmental perspective
  • your proposed implementation plan
  • how your proposal advances the emergence of innovative clean technology for the agriculture and/or agri-food sector.

You will also be required to submit documents such as:

  • Work plan (a template will be provided in Stage 2 -Additional Information application package)
  • Budget (a template will be provided in Stage 2 -Additional Information application package)
  • Evidence of board membership and/or current ownership structure
  • Letters of support from financial contributors providing a cash contribution to the project
  • Endorsement letters for the proposal or letters of support
  • Audited or review engagement financial statements for the last 2 years

We'll use the information you provide on the Stage 1 - Additional Information Form and Stage 2 - Application Form, as the basis to select Initial Recipients.

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