Agri-Tech Innovation Initiative : Stream 1

• Completed application form
• Quotes detailing proposed Eligible Costs related to the Project

Who is eligible?

• Producers
• Processors

Who is not eligible

• Agricultural landowners and/or renters that solely own or rent land
• Employers that solely provide housing to international agricultural workers
• Applicants that try to apply as both a Producer and a Processor without multiple businesses operating under different business numbers

Eligible expenses

• New or modified commercially available equipment, technology, and machinery that is Innovative or Advances Manufacturing
• Food safety and traceability equipment, including food safety equipment, barcoding and product identification systems, and testing equipment for monitoring and analysis
• Facility or cyber security changes, upgrades, or modifications; one-time software purchases or upgrades; and one-time third-party expertise/services, including engineering services, cyber security assessments, software development, training, installation, and management
• New or refurbished equipment, parts, components and/or technology that improves energy efficiency; water use equipment and technology that improves energy efficiency; and facility improvements related to building energy efficiency improvements

Ineligible Costs and Activities

• Costs incurred before notice of Project approval or after September 30, 2027, and deposits invoiced and paid before notice of Project approval
• Application preparation costs, reporting materials, lobbying costs, and any cost that AAC considers unreasonably incurred or unnecessary for successful completion of the Project
• New premise or site development, land or building purchases or leases, equipment acquired via capital leases, and ongoing software fees, licensing, subscriptions, extended warranties, or service costs for post-project operation
• Normal ongoing operation and maintenance costs, employee accommodations, common items, vehicles, construction, and general agriculture machinery
• Salaries, wages, in-kind costs, travel, meals, hotel costs, non-arm’s-length purchases without prior written approval, reimbursed or refunded costs, and any amount above fair market value

• Streams 1 and 2 are evaluated on project and outcomes description (5 points), demonstrated need and rationale (15 points), quantified growth and productivity impact (15 points), resources, experience, skills, and knowledge for implementation and ongoing use (5 points), demonstrated Advanced Manufacturing technology (30 points), Innovation evidence (10 points), and alignment with the Innovation Rating Criteria (20 points)
• Stream 3 is evaluated on project and outcomes description (15 points), alignment with an energy audit, assessment, or plan for energy efficiency or demonstrated need and rationale (25 points), resources, experience, skills, and knowledge for implementation and ongoing use (15 points), extent to which the project improves energy efficiency (25 points), and extent to which it leads to operational cost savings (20 points)

• Apply through AAC’s online Application Portal using the approved online Application
• Complete the Application in full and enter the NAICS code that best describes the Project outcomes
• Include quotes detailing proposed Eligible Costs related to the Project
• Create one account per Producer or Processor; add other users or invite an Authorized Representative if needed
• If you do not receive a confirmation email within two Business Days, contact AAC

• Claims and reports must be submitted no later than March 31, 2025 for costs incurred from the Project start date to March 31, 2025; March 31, 2026 for costs incurred from April 1, 2025 to March 31, 2026; March 31, 2027 for costs incurred from April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027; and November 16, 2027 for costs incurred from April 1, 2027 to September 30, 2027
• A minimum of one claim must be submitted per project per fiscal year, and claims submitted after the deadline will not be accepted for costs incurred in the previous fiscal year
• All final claims submissions must include a completed Final Report using the PDF template provided
• The AAC may request additional information to verify a claim, and may complete a recipient audit to assess whether Initiative Funding is used in accordance with the guidelines and Funding Agreement
• Approved cost-share funding is paid after eligible costs are incurred and paid, and after a claim and report meet all requirements and are approved by the AAC