Closed
Source verified August 10, 2026
Agri-Tech Innovation Initiative (ATII)
Supports agri-food innovation and energy efficiency
Offered by
Receipt of requests is now closed
Get notified about updates to this grant.
Funding available
$ 100,000
Deadline
Closed
Location
Ontario, Canada
Overview
The Agri-Tech Innovation Initiative provides up to $25,000,000 to support Producers and Processors in Ontario across the agriculture and food sector. It funds equipment, technology, or machinery for innovative production, advanced manufacturing, and energy efficiency.
Receipt of requests is now closed
Get notified about updates to this grant.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase performance through digital transformation
- Increase production or service capacity
- Implement environmental initiatives
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 100,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Ontario
Legal structures
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- All groups
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Implementing new equipment, or modification of equipment, technology, and machinery for production and/or manufacturing that is Innovative
- Implementing new equipment, technology, and machinery or modification of equipment, technology, and machinery for advanced manufacturing (i.e., through automation, robotics, or digitization)
- Purchasing or installing new or refurbished equipment, parts, components and/or technology that improves energy efficiency
- Purchasing, installing or modifying water use equipment and technology that improves energy efficiency
- Facility improvements related to building energy efficiency improvements (e.g., lighting, ventilation, heating, refrigeration)
Documents Needed
- Approved Application available online
- Quotes detailing proposed Eligible Costs related to the Project
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Producers (Stream 1 and 2)
- Processors (Stream 1, 2 and 3)
Who is not eligible
- Agricultural landowner and/or renter that solely owns or rents land
- Employer that solely provides housing to international agricultural workers
- Applicants cannot apply to the Initiative as both a Producer and Processor without having multiple businesses operating under different business numbers
Eligible expenses
- New or modified equipment, technology, and machinery that is commercially available and Innovative or Advances Manufacturing
- Equipment costs related to the purchase and installation of new or refurbished equipment, parts, components and/or technology that improves energy efficiency; water equipment costs related to the purchase, installation or modification of water use equipment and technology that improve energy efficiency; and facility improvement costs related to building energy efficiency improvements
- Costs for food safety and traceability including food safety equipment, barcoding and product identification systems, and testing equipment for monitoring and analysis
- One-time purchasing cost of software or upgrades as part of the Project; and costs for facility or cyber security changes, upgrades, or modifications or that are required for the Project
- One-time costs of third-party expertise/services required for the Project including engineering services, cyber security assessments, software development, training, installation, and management
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Any activity that is not set out under Section 3.4 Eligible Activities and Supporting Eligible Activities or Section 4.4 Eligible Activities and Supporting Activities is an ineligible activity.
- Costs that were Incurred before notice of Project approval or after September 30, 2027; deposits invoiced and paid for prior to notice of Project approval; and costs associated with preparing an application and/or reporting materials for the Initiative.
- Any cost associated with lobbying the Province; any cost for goods or services provided by Canada; any cost incurred without the AAC’s prior written consent where required; any cost that was, in the AAC’s opinion, unreasonably Incurred or is not necessary for the successful completion of the Project; and any costs Incurred, including taxes, for which the Recipient has received, will receive or is eligible to receive, a rebate, credit, or refund.
- Any costs associated with new premise/site (green site) development; costs to purchase or lease land or buildings; ongoing software fees, licensing, subscriptions, extended warranties, or service costs for the continued operation of the equipment post Project end date; equipment acquired via capital leases; and normal, ongoing operation and/or maintenance costs, including employee accommodations.
- Common items that can be used for multiple purposes; costs of vehicles, construction, and general agriculture machinery; salaries, wages, or in-kind costs of the Recipient; travel, meals, hotel costs; and any portion of any cost that exceeds fair market value.
Eligible geographic areas
- Ontario
Selection criteria
- Project and outcomes are well-described (5 points for Streams 1 and 2; 15 points for Stream 3)
- Demonstrated need and rationale for the Project (15 points for Streams 1 and 2; 25 points for Stream 3)
- Resources, experience, skills, and knowledge necessary for implementation and ongoing successful use of the technology and/or processes are identified (5 points for Streams 1 and 2; 15 points for Stream 3)
- For Streams 1 and 2, extent to which the Project quantifies increased growth and productivity for the Applicant (15 points), demonstrated Advanced Manufacturing technology (30 points), demonstrated Innovation (10 points), and alignment with the Innovation Rating Criteria (20 points)
- For Stream 3, demonstrated alignment with an energy audit, assessment, or plan for energy efficiency or Demonstrated need and rationale for the Project (25 points), extent to which the Project leads to improvements in energy efficiency for the Applicant (25 points), and extent to which the Project leads to operational cost saving for the Applicant (20 points)
How to apply
- Apply through the AAC’s Application Portal available online at https://adaptcouncil.smartsimple.ca/
- Use an approved Application available online and ensure that the Application is fully completed
- Provide quotes detailing proposed Eligible Costs related to the Project
- Create one account per Producer/Processor for AAC’s online application system
- Start the application process by the named applicant
- Invite an Authorized Representative to the application or revoke the authorization for each Application submission, if applicable
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are reviewed after the intake closes
- Only complete applications are assessed
- Applications are evaluated on eligibility and merit criteria
- Funding decisions are sent by email
- Approved applicants must sign a funding agreement before receiving payments
Additional information
- The Agricultural Adaptation Council (AAC) is delivering the Initiative on behalf of the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.
- The Initiative will be delivered under three streams, as follows:
- Funding for the Initiative comes from the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP).
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Agri-Tech Innovation Initiative (ATII) Program
What is the Agri-Tech Innovation Initiative (ATII)?
The Agri-Tech Innovation Initiative provides up to $25,000,000 to support Producers and Processors in Ontario across the agriculture and food sector. It funds equipment, technology, or machinery for innovative production, advanced manufacturing, and energy efficiency.
How much funding can be received?
Agri-Tech Innovation Initiative (ATII) Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses, capped at $100,000 per project.
Who is eligible for the Agri-Tech Innovation Initiative (ATII) program?
To be eligible for the Agri-Tech Innovation Initiative (ATII) program, you must:
Be located in Ontario and be a Person capable of entering into a legally binding agreement
Be a Producer or Processor
Provide a CRA Business Number and a valid, up to date Premises ID Number
What expenses are eligible under Agri-Tech Innovation Initiative (ATII)?
Implementing new equipment, or modification of equipment, technology, and machinery for production and/or manufacturing that is Innovative
Implementing new equipment, technology, and machinery or modification of equipment, technology, and machinery for advanced manufacturing (i.e., through automation, robotics, or digitization)
Purchasing or installing new or refurbished equipment, parts, components and/or technology that improves energy efficiency
Purchasing, installing or modifying water use equipment and technology that improves energy efficiency
Facility improvements related to building energy efficiency improvements (e.g., lighting, ventilation, heating, refrigeration)
Who can I contact for more information about the Agri-Tech Innovation Initiative (ATII)?
You can contact Agricultural Adaptation Council (AAC) by email at admin@adaptcouncil.org or by phone at 1-800-769-3272.
Where is the Agri-Tech Innovation Initiative (ATII) available?
The Agri-Tech Innovation Initiative (ATII) program is available the province of Ontario.
Is the Agri-Tech Innovation Initiative (ATII) a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Agri-Tech Innovation Initiative (ATII) is a Grant and Funding