- 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: Open
Applications will be accepted on a continuous basis until the end of the program on March 31, 2029, or until funding has been fully committed or otherwise announced here.
All projects must be completed by March 31, 2029.
Program objectives
The program will:
- help the agriculture, agri-food, and agri-based products sector ('agricultural sector') take advantage of a situation or circumstance to develop a new idea, product, niche, or market opportunity
- respond to new and emerging issues (address sector issues that were unknown or not a concern before)
- find and test solutions to new and ongoing issues to adapt and remain competitive
Funding
The maximum Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) contribution for a project will normally not exceed $1 million. You can apply for and receive funding for more than one project, but generally speaking, funding will not be more than $5 million over 5 years for each applicant.
If approved, support is available in the form of repayable and non-repayable contributions.
Cost-sharing
Contributions toward eligible costs will normally be shared between AAFC and you as follows:
- AAFC — a maximum of 50%
- You — a minimum of 50%
AAFC may contribute up to 75% of total project costs where it deems that a project is a high priority for a sector or addresses a public safety concern of Canadians and clearly demonstrates the benefits to Canadians through significant levels of support (public and private interests). In exceptional cases, AAFC may contribute greater than 75%.
Your portion of the cost-share must be cash contributions.Endnote 1 In-kind contributions are ineligible.