Before you apply

Sources of funding

You must clearly show all sources of funding for your project, including your contributions as well as those other sources of funding, for example:

• other federal government departments, agencies, and Crown corporations
• provincial/territorial governments
• municipal administrations
• Indigenous groups
• industry and/or partners, such as  
  • industry associations and networks  
  • businesses  
  • academia  

How we assess your application

We'll assess all eligible projects against the criteria below and their individual merit. Projects with the greatest potential for benefits will be given priority for funding. For detailed information, please refer to Complete the application and apply.

Applications are assessed through a two-stage process.

Stage 1: Project Summary Form (PSF)

Applicants must first submit a PSF. We’ll conduct an initial assessment of the proposed project and determine whether it aligns with program requirements and objectives.

As part of this review, AAFC will assess whether:

• the applicant and proposed project are eligible under the program
• the proposed activities align with program objectives
• sufficient information has been provided to assess the project
• all sources of project funding have been identified

Projects that meet the Stage 1 requirements will be invited to submit a full application. Applicants invited to Stage 2 will have up to one year from the date of invitation to submit a full application. After one year, a new Project Summary Form must be submitted through Stage 1 to be considered for funding.  

Stage 2: Full application assessment

If invited to submit a full application, your project will undergo a more detailed assessment. You must provide sufficient information to demonstrate that proposed activities and costs are eligible, reasonable, and aligned with program objectives.

AAFC will assess:

• your capacity to deliver the project within the proposed timelines and budget
• whether proposed activities and costs are eligible, reasonable, and necessary to achieve the project objectives
• the extent to which the project advances the objectives of the program:
  • increase Canada’s year-round production and availability of fruits and vegetables
  • diversify CEA production by supporting emerging or novel crops with commercial potential
  • encourage the adoption of technologies and practices that improve productivity, resource efficiency, sustainability, and competitiveness
  • strengthen food security, food system resilience, and local and regional food production
• your ability to repay a repayable contribution, where applicable
• your performance on previous Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada funding agreements, where applicable

Projects may be prioritized based on their alignment with existing Government of Canada policies and priorities, where appropriate.

Applicants are encouraged to make reasonable effort to prioritize Canadian materials and source any project-related materials and/or services from Canadian businesses, where feasible. For more information, refer to the Buy Canadian Policy.

Funding decisions

The assessment process will determine the appropriate amount of funding for approved projects. This will be based on the:  

• scope and duration of your project
• reasonableness of proposed eligible expenses
• importance of proposed eligible activities for greater impact on the sector
• reasonableness of the overall projected cost of eligible expenditures given the projected outcome(s)
• other sources of funding
• your capacity to support performance measurement and reporting requirements

You must provide enough detail for us to assess your application. When you describe your project activities you should be clear and concise to avoid confusion. You should clearly outline:

• the important points (who, what, where, when, why and how) of what you’re trying to achieve
• how project costs were calculated or estimated, including any external sources consulted

Stacking provisions

The combined funding from all levels of government (federal, provincial/territorial, and municipal) normally cannot exceed 85% of eligible costs per project.

For Indigenous applicants, government funding can cover up to 100% of eligible costs.

Considerations

M-30 Act (Quebec organizations only)

The Province of Quebec's M-30 legislation may apply to Quebec-based applicants only. It is the Act Respecting the Ministère du Conseil exécutif (R.S.Q., c. M-30).

More information on the act is available online or by contacting the Ministère de l'Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l'Alimentation at dpci@mapaq.gouv.qc.ca.

All Quebec-based organizations will have to address this matter and demonstrate their compliance with the act during the application assessment process, and prior to entering into a contribution agreement.

Intellectual property

If your project is approved for funding, the contribution agreement will contain an intellectual property clause confirming that the title to all intellectual property in any materials created or developed by, or for, the recipient under the agreement will be owned by the recipient or a third party. However, the recipient must grant to AAFC the right to utilize any material or information produced, for AAFC and other Government of Canada purposes.