Open

Agri-food Funding

Funds NWT agriculture initiatives improving competitiveness innovation and resilience

Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment (NWT)

Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (SCAP)

Last Update: March 3, 2026

Funding available

$ 250,000

Timeline

Open continuously

Location

Northwest Territories, Canada

Overview

Agri-food Funding under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable-CAP) supports agriculture-based initiatives in the Northwest Territories that strengthen competitiveness, innovation, and resiliency through projects such as commercial agriculture and agri-food development, diversity and extension, community food production, agri-environmental planning, RALP, market development, and northern agriculture and agri-food research. Funding is determined case-by-case and can cover up to 100% of project costs for industry organizations and municipal, territorial, and Indigenous governments (unless otherwise specified).

/100

Opportunity Score

Moderate potential, but conditions must align.

At a glance

Funding available

Financing goals

Increase performance through digital transformation
Increase social or community impact
Attract or retain talent

Eligible Funding

Maximum amount : 250,000 $
Up to 100% of project cost

Timeline

Open continuously

Eligible candidates

Eligible Industries

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
Manufacturing

Location

Northwest Territories

Legal structures

Non-profit
Public or Parapublic institution
For-profit business
Sole proprietorship

Annual revenue

$ 10,000 minimum revenue

Organisation size

All organization sizes

Audience

Indigenous Peoples
Rural or Northern Residents
Canadians
Startups

Non-profit candidates

Sector of operation

All industries

Target groups

All the groups

Revenue structures

All structures

Scope

All dimensions

Next steps

Determine your project

Validate your eligibility

Activities funded

Develop or expand commercial agriculture and agri-food operations (e.g., facility/farm development, capacity expansion, adoption of new technologies or processes, value-added product development).
Deliver training, education, and mentorship/extension initiatives that build skills and business management capacity in the NWT agri-food sector (including initiatives supporting diversity and inclusion and Indigenous-led agriculture/food systems).
Implement community-based food production initiatives that increase local food capacity and food security (including projects supporting Indigenous food systems and traditional harvesting practices).
Complete agri-environmental planning projects (e.g., develop NWT-specific assessment guidance, conduct agri-environmental assessments, and develop tools to support climate-risk decision-making and environmental action).
Undertake market development activities for NWT agri-foods (e.g., business planning for new/expanded markets, branding/marketing/awareness initiatives, supply-chain development, and participation in relevant marketing events).

Documents Needed

Completed Sustainable-CAP NWT Application Form
Business plan (if required)
Consultant/contractor quote(s) (if applicable)
Consultant/contractor qualifications (if applicable)

Eligibility

Who is eligible?

Northwest Territories agricultural producers (primary producers)
Agri-food processors
Retailers/wholesalers in the agri-food sector
Agriculture and agri-food industry organizations
Harvesters (food harvesting, including Indigenous food systems)

Who is not eligible

Businesses not based and operating in the Northwest Territories for at least one year.
Businesses that are not agricultural producers or agri-food processors (for Stream 1 eligibility).
Processors, retailers/wholesalers, and service providers applying specifically for activities under the Resilient Agriculture Landscapes Program (RALP).
Equine-related businesses (e.g., riding stables, horse racing, recreational riding).
Businesses primarily involved in aquaponic food production, or in aquaculture/seaweed/fish/seafood production and processing.

Eligible expenses

Capital investments to develop or expand farm or processing facilities and productive capacity.
Initial capital investments for new-entrant agricultural or food producers or processors.
Sustainable land development and land improvement costs (including land clearing and breaking).
Third-party labour and professional services (consultants/contractors) for technical, professional, or analytical support.
Workplace safety improvements and sector-relevant safety education/training costs.
Training and learning costs, including registration/course fees, instructor/speaker fees, venue and equipment rentals, and educational materials.
Travel expenses for eligible training/learning activities (transportation, accommodations, meals, and incidentals per diems).
Business planning and business development costs (including consultant services and business software), subject to program maximums.
Internship/mentorship wages (eligible portion), subject to program maximums.
Community garden/greenhouse design and construction costs (materials, equipment, and freight) and supplies (soil, seeds, fertilizer, tools) and greenhouse management costs.
Wages to hire a greenhouse/community garden coordinator or food security coordinator.
Costs to complete agri-environmental assessments (including professional, technical, and analytical support) and develop related tools.
Marketing and branding costs (e.g., brochures, logos, labels, signage, packaging) and participation costs for relevant marketing events (registration and travel).
Transportation costs to move NWT food products from the point of harvest/production to NWT markets (to support supply chain development/identification).
Livestock fencing costs, subject to program maximums.
Field development costs, subject to program maximums.

Ineligible Costs and Activities

Used equipment that was funded by the GNWT within the last five years.
Normal, ongoing operating and maintenance costs (unless otherwise specified).
Common multi-purpose items (e.g., digital cameras, GPS, smartphones, measuring tapes, trucks, trailers, tractors).
Multi-purpose structures (e.g., barns, storage sheds); only specialized interior components may be eligible.
Land purchase or road development.

Eligible geographic areas

Northwest Territories (NWT).

Processing and Agreement

Your application is reviewed by a Business Development Officer/Manager or a Project Evaluation Panel, depending on the project.
The program may request additional information; incomplete applications are not reviewed.
If approved, you must sign a Contribution Agreement with the Government of the Northwest Territories before any payment is processed.
Only expenses or activities that start after the Contribution Agreement’s effective date are eligible.
Before the final payment, you must submit a final report/project evaluation and an itemized list of approved expenses with receipts (and attendee feedback for events, if applicable).

Additional information

Applications are accepted year-round, and funding is allocated annually starting April 1.
Funding is available from April 2023 to March 2028 and replaces the Canadian Agricultural Partnership.
Family members from the same farm/company/corporation/partnership are treated as one recipient, not separate recipients.
Applications are subject to the Northwest Territories Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act; once a contribution agreement is signed, certain funded project details may become public.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Agri-food Funding Program

Here are answers to the most common questions about the Agri-food Funding. This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.

What is the Agri-food Funding?

How much funding can be received?

Agri-food Funding Funds up to 100% of admissible expenses, capped at $250,000 per project.

Who is eligible for the Agri-food Funding program?

To be eligible for the Agri-food Funding program, you must: Business based and operating in the Northwest Territories for at least 1 year. Agricultural producer or agri-food processor, registered and in good standing (NWT Legal Registries). Farm/processing facility with commercial sales or demonstrated commercial viability (business plan required).

What expenses are eligible under Agri-food Funding?

Develop or expand commercial agriculture and agri-food operations (e.g., facility/farm development, capacity expansion, adoption of new technologies or processes, value-added product development). Deliver training, education, and mentorship/extension initiatives that build skills and business management capacity in the NWT agri-food sector (including initiatives supporting diversity and inclusion and Indigenous-led agriculture/food systems). Implement community-based food production initiatives that increase local food capacity and food security (including projects supporting Indigenous food systems and traditional harvesting practices). Complete agri-environmental planning projects (e.g., develop NWT-specific assessment guidance, conduct agri-environmental assessments, and develop tools to support climate-risk decision-making and environmental action). Undertake market development activities for NWT agri-foods (e.g., business planning for new/expanded markets, branding/marketing/awareness initiatives, supply-chain development, and participation in relevant marketing events).