Canadian Agricultural Strategic Priorities Program - Step 2. Eligibility

Step 2. Eligibility

Check if you meet the criteria to apply.

Eligibility checklist

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

• You're one of the following organization types
  • Not-for-profit organizations incorporated in Canada, such as:
    • Associations
    • Cooperatives
    • Marketing boards
    • Other
  • Indigenous peoples (First Nation, Métis, Inuit)
  • Provincial, territorial or municipal government

  Note: for-profit organizations are normally not eligible but may be considered for funding in situations where the benefit will be accrued through the entire sector or significant benefits can be accrued to public safety and/or the public good.

• You must demonstrate the ability to deliver a Canadian and/or agriculture and agri-food sector-wide project that:
  • involves or is supported by groups or individuals 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

• You must identify a challenge that faces the Canadian agriculture, agri-food and agri-products sector, and demonstrate how the project results will benefit the sector and how the project aligns with 1 or more of the following 4 priority areas:
  • Adaptation to new technology
  • Environmental sustainability
  • Strategic planning and capacity building
  • Emerging issues

• You're a legal entity capable of entering into a legally binding agreement

Program priorities

The program has 4 priorities.

Adaptation to new technology

This priority seeks to:

• invest in projects that move technology closer to commercialization and/or enables the sector to adopt leading technology
• overcome the challenge in the agriculture sector to better understand the impact and value of new technology and how it can best be utilized to enable future success

Environmental sustainability

This priority seeks to invest in projects that investigate the development, enhancement and/or advancement of environmentally and socially responsible practices, processes and products. The challenge for Canadian agriculture is to remain adaptive and proactive in the best methodologies within an environmental sustainability context.

Strategic development and capacity building

This priority seeks to ensure all agriculture sectors in Canada are properly structured to combat present and future challenges that may limit their potential. New and emerging sectors face unique barriers, such as a lack of organizational capacity to access program funding. Well organized capacity is required to advance sector strategies and to develop plans to confront changes facing all agricultural sectors (for example, trade, agreements, regulations, consumer choice and preferences).

Emerging issues

This priority seeks to support the agricultural sector in responding to unforeseen circumstances that require an immediate response (for example, urgent public concerns, international market crisis challenges).

Eligible activities

Your project(s) may support multiple eligible activities under the following themes.

Adaptation to new technology

• Coordinated approaches to adapt and take full advantage of emerging opportunities
• Test and adopt technology solutions in collaboration with research centres
• Solve technical hurdles to overcome barriers and encourage adoption of new technology in Canadian agriculture
• Develop more value-added products

Environmental sustainability

• Support the development of environmental initiatives, increase resiliency, and projects adopting or demonstrating environmental technology
• Complement environmental sustainability and climate change activities under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership and other programs

Strategic development and capacity building

• Support organizational capacity
• Support transformation in the agricultural sector
• Develop strategic planning initiatives that complement value chain roundtable, agri-food economic table, and other discussions

Emerging issues

• The program is also available to support the agricultural sector in responding to unforeseen circumstances that require identification and planning for future changes expected in the sector.

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 included in the project application form budget
• be related to the activities included in the work plan
• 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.

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