Agri-Tech Innovation Initiative : Stream 1 – Agri-Tech Innovation
ON, Canada
The Agri-Tech Innovation Initiative supports growth and productivity in Ontario's agri-food sector through innovative technology and advanced manufacturing.
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|maxCount
- grant_single|projectCostPercent
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|openingDateApril 10, 2024
- grant_single|closingDateJune 09, 2024
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Manufacturing
grant_single|grantors
- Agricultural Adaptation Council (AAC)
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|closed
grant_single_labels|preview
The Agri-Tech Innovation Initiative aims to bolster growth and productivity in Ontario's agri-food sector through innovation, advanced manufacturing, food safety, enhanced cybersecurity, and energy efficiency. Eligible activities include deploying or modifying new or commercially available innovative equipment, technology, or machinery for production or manufacturing, with a project cap of $100,000 in eligible costs.
grant_single_labels|projects
This grant is administered by the Agricultural Adaptation Council, which typically supports initiatives within Ontario, Canada. However, specific eligible geographical areas for this Initiative are not detailed in the provided context.
- Potentially applicable to regions based on the Agricultural Adaptation Council's typical focus in Ontario.
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$48,000
Modernization of a greenhouse with automated climate control systems
$49,999
Acquisition and deployment of automated packing machinery for local food processing
$49,999
Integration of robotics for meat processing in a local butcher shop
$49,999
Upgrade of cybersecurity protocols for a small food delivery service
$40,000
Implementation of advanced food traceability systems for a small dairy cooperative
$49,999
Deployment of a new system for real-time monitoring and analysis in an agricultural co-op
grant_single_labels|admissibility
Eligibility for the Agri-Tech Innovation Initiative may involve certain requirements based on the applicant's sector focus and project parameters.
- The applicant operates within the agri-food sector.
- The project involves innovation, advanced manufacturing, food safety, cyber security improvements, or energy efficiency.
- The total eligible costs of the project fall within the specified limits for the chosen stream (less than $100,000 for Stream 1 and $100,000 or greater for Stream 2).
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
The available information does not specify the evaluation and selection criteria for the Agri-Tech Innovation Initiative projects under the given context. Only details concerning the purpose of the initiative, the streams available, and the application closure were provided, without specific selection or evaluation criteria.
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
The Agri-Tech Innovation Initiative supports projects that enhance innovation, manufacturing, food safety, and energy efficiency in the agri-food sector. Eligible activities under this grant focus on technological advancements, process improvements, and cost-saving measures in agriculture.
- Innovation projects that improve manufacturing processes within the agri-food sector.
- Initiatives aimed at enhancing food safety through advanced technologies.
- Projects that incorporate advanced manufacturing techniques for better productivity.
- Activities that enhance cybersecurity measures in agri-food production systems.
- Projects focused on energy efficiency and cost savings in agricultural operations.
- Development and implementation of systems for improved agricultural data management.
- Efforts to integrate smart technologies and IoT solutions for better agricultural outcomes.
- Programs supporting sustainable practices and reducing carbon footprint in agriculture.
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
The eligible geographic zone for this grant is Ontario.
- Ontario
grant_single_labels|criteria
Yes, this grant has evaluation and selection criteria. Applications will be evaluated based on the project's description, demonstrated needs and justification, quantifiable growth and productivity, available resources and expertise, and demonstrated advanced manufacturing technology and innovation.
- Projects and expected outcomes are well described (5 points)
- Demonstrated needs and project justification (15 points)
- Extent to which the project quantifies the applicant's growth and productivity increases (15 points)
- Identified resources, experience, skills, and knowledge for successful deployment and continued use of the technology or processes (5 points)
- Demonstrated advanced manufacturing technology (automation, robotics, or digitization) (30 points)
- Provided credible, independent evidence of innovation (10 points)
- Aligned with the innovation evaluation criteria (20 points)
grant_single_labels|register
- Step 1: Review Eligibility Requirements
- Content: Ensure your project and organization meet the eligibility criteria outlined in Sections 5.1 and 12.
- Implications: Confirm that you are a producer or processing business in Ontario and that your project fits the financial and activity criteria.
- Step 2: Prepare Documentation
- Content: Gather necessary documents, including credible, objective, and independently verifiable evidence for your project's innovation.
- Implications: Collect market studies, industry reports, and other independent proofs of innovation as described in Section 3.8.
- Step 3: Draft Proposal
- Content: Write a detailed application describing your project, its growth and productivity impacts, your resources, and technological innovation.
- Implications: Ensure you address all evaluation criteria (Section 3.8) and provide quantifiable evidence of proposed benefits and innovation level.
- Step 4: Submit Application
- Content: Submit your completed application along with all the required documentation electronically or as instructed by the grant administration.
- Implications: Confirm submission guidelines to avoid any disqualification due to procedural errors.
- Step 5: Await Approval
- Content: After submission, wait for the review of your application by the adjudication committee.
- Implications: Be prepared for potential follow-up questions or requests for additional information as part of the evaluation process.
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
Here are some additional miscellaneous information about the grant:
- The grant targets agri-food sector improvements such as innovation, advanced manufacturing, cybersecurity, and energy efficiency.
- There are three specific streams under the Initiative, including Agri-Tech Innovation for projects with eligible costs under $100,000.
- Eligibility extends to producers and processing companies located in Ontario.
- Project activities must be initiated after receiving an approval notice and must be completed by September 30, 2027.
- Projects can include both new equipment deployment or modifications to existing equipment for innovative agricultural production or advanced manufacturing processes.
- Additional eligible activities may include food safety and traceability technologies, IT infrastructure upgrades, software updates, and consultancy services.
- Non-eligible activities include any expenses incurred before project approval, land or building acquisition costs, and usual operational and maintenance expenses.
- Applications are evaluated based on the detailed description of projects and projected outcomes, clearly quantifiable growth and productivity, and demonstrated innovation and advanced manufacturing facets.
Apply to this program
Elevate Your Agri-Tech Innovations with Strategic Funding
The Agri-Tech Innovation Initiative is dedicated to empowering the agri-food sector with targeted funding to enhance innovation, manufacturing efficiency, food safety, cybersecurity, and energy conservation. With distinct streams catering to varying project scales, this initiative supports sustainable advancement and competitiveness within the industry.
In-Depth Insights into the Agri-Tech Innovation Initiative
The Agri-Tech Innovation Initiative is a strategic funding program specifically tailored to bolster growth and efficiency in the agri-food sector through cutting-edge innovation and technological improvements. Delivered through a three-stream structure, this initiative prioritizes projects that augment the sector's capacity to innovate in manufacturing processes, enhance food safety standards, improve cybersecurity measures, and achieve remarkable energy savings. Stream 1 is designed for projects with total eligible costs under $100,000, while Stream 2 supports larger projects requiring greater investment. Stream 3 emphasizes energy cost savings, encouraging projects that leverage technological advancements to reduce energy consumption, thus promoting a more eco-efficient agriculture sector.
With its multi-stream approach, the initiative addresses the diverse needs of different scales of projects, ensuring a broad spectrum of innovative solutions can be supported. This diversity is crucial in sustaining Canada's agri-food sector, particularly in a rapidly evolving market where innovation is a key driver of competitiveness and sustainable growth. By investing in both small-scale and larger projects, the initiative opens pathways for enterprises of varying sizes to access financial resources, facilitating a more inclusive economic development within the sector.
The application process, although currently closed, requires meticulous planning and a clear demonstration of how proposed projects align with the initiative's objectives. Successful applicants can anticipate funding decisions within 60 business days post-closure of the intake period, expected by June 2024. The criteria for success emphasize innovation, the potential economic and environmental impact, and the feasibility of proposals. This rigorous assessment ensures that only projects with substantial potential for positive outcomes receive the necessary funding, thereby optimizing public resource utilization for maximum impact.
In addition to financial backing, the Agri-Tech Innovation Initiative also strives to provide a supportive ecosystem that includes access to technical expertise and potentially collaborative opportunities with other stakeholders in the agriculture and technology spaces. This reinforces the beneficiary projects' potential impacts, fosters sector-wide innovation, and encourages sustainable practices across the agri-food value chain.
The capacity to drive transformation in critical areas such as energy use and cybersecurity makes this initiative pivotal in preparing Canada's agriculture sector for future challenges. The integration of advanced technologies not only enhances operational efficiency but also contributes to the global competitiveness of Canadian agri-food products. By channeling resources into strategic areas, the initiative facilitates a structural improvement in the sector, ensuring resilience and adaptability in meeting both current demands and future food security goals.
The Agri-Tech Innovation Initiative reflects a commitment to advancing the usage of technology in agriculture, supporting projects that push the boundaries of existing practices. It is a beacon for enterprises focused on sustainable development and technological progression, providing them with a platform to contribute to a forward-looking agri-food landscape. Through this initiative, Canada continues to assert its leadership in sustainable agricultural development, aligning economic interests with environmental stewardship for a prosperous future.
