Agri-Tech Innovation Initiative : Stream 2

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

Who is eligible?

• Producers, for Streams 1 and 2
• Processors, for Streams 1, 2 and 3

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 who apply as both a Producer and 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 purchase of software 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
• Deposits invoiced and paid before notice of Project approval
• Application and reporting preparation costs, and lobbying the Province
• Land or building purchase or lease, green site development, capital leases, ongoing software fees, normal operation or maintenance, common items, vehicles, construction, general agriculture machinery, salaries, wages, in-kind costs, travel, meals, hotel costs, rebates, credits, refunds, and amounts above fair market value
• Goods or services provided by Canada, and goods or services acquired from non-arm’s-length persons without prior written consent

• Streams 1 and 2: project and outcomes are well-described (5 points)
• Streams 1 and 2: demonstrated need and rationale for the Project (15 points)
• Streams 1 and 2: extent to which the Project quantifies increased growth and productivity for the Applicant (15 points)
• Streams 1 and 2: demonstrated Advanced Manufacturing technology (30 points), demonstrated Innovation evidence (10 points), and alignment with the Innovation Rating Criteria (20 points)
• Stream 3: project and outcomes are well-described (15 points), demonstrated alignment with an energy audit, assessment, or plan for energy efficiency or demonstrated need and rationale for the Project (25 points), resources, experience, skills and knowledge for implementation (15 points), improvements in energy efficiency (25 points), and operational cost saving (20 points)

• Create one account per Producer/Processor in AAC’s online application system
• Start the application by the named applicant
• Invite an Authorized Representative if needed; this step must be completed for each application submission
• Complete the approved online Application and ensure it is fully completed
• Provide quotes detailing proposed Eligible Costs related to the Project
• Submit through AAC’s Application Portal before the intake closes on Thursday, March 28, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. EST

• Applications are reviewed after the intake closes, and only complete applications are reviewed
• Eligible and complete applications are reviewed using merit-based and Innovation rating criteria for Streams 1 and 2, and merit-based rating criteria for Stream 3
• Applications may be reviewed by AAC staff, external third-party reviewers, partners, or advisors governed by confidentiality processes
• The Applicant is notified by email once a decision has been made; approved applicants must enter into a Funding Agreement and comply with its terms and conditions
• Claims may be reviewed first-come, first-served, and AAC may request additional information to verify a Claim; approved cost-share funding is paid after eligible costs are incurred and paid and the Claim and report are approved