Services
Expertises
Resources
Who we are
Contact us
Closed

Agri-Tech Innovation Initiative : Stream 3 – Agri-Tech Energy Costs Savings

Cost-shared support for agri-food innovation

Offered by
Agricultural Adaptation Council (AAC)
Official source: adaptcouncil.org

Source change captured

Funding available
$ 100,000
Up to 35% of project cost
Deadline
Unspecified
Location
Ontario, Canada
Who can apply
Producers for Stream 1 and Stream 2
See full eligibility

Overview

The Agri-Tech Innovation Initiative provides up to $22.6 million to help Producers and Processors in Ontario expand production capacity, improve energy efficiency, and strengthen innovation in the agriculture and food sector. It supports commercially available equipment, technology, and machinery, energy-efficiency upgrades, and third-party engineering, training, and management services.

At a glance

Funding available

Maximum funding
$100,000
Maximum share of project costs
35%
Financing goals
  • Increase performance through digital transformation
  • Increase production or service capacity
  • Implement environmental initiatives
  • Increase operational productivity
  • Optimize production processes
  • Reduce environmental footprint
  • Renovate or adapt facilities

Eligible candidates

Location
  • Ontario
Eligible Industries
All industries
Annual revenue
All revenue ranges
Organisation size
All organization sizes
Audience
All groups
Legal structures
For-profit business

Receipt of requests is now closed

Get notified about updates to this grant.

Availability timeline

2025
Periods: 1

Latest changes

ATII claim instructions updated

The ATII Stream 3 page removed the posted claim submission deadlines and the final-report requirement, and it now presents program success stories and updated contact wording.

See more

The ATII Stream 3 page no longer shows the posted claim-submission deadlines or the minimum one-claim-per-fiscal-year instruction, and the final claims section no longer says a completed Final Report must be included. The contact line also now displays the email label admin@adaptcouncil.org while still linking to info@adaptcouncil.org, and the page now features six success stories with PDF links.

Official source: adaptcouncil.org
October 3, 2026

Eligibility

Who is eligible?

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

Who is not eligible

  • Applicants cannot apply as both a Producer and a Processor unless they have multiple businesses operating under different business numbers
  • Agricultural landowners and/or renters that solely own or rent land are excluded from the definition of Producer
  • Employers that solely provide housing to international agricultural workers are excluded from the definition of Producer
  • Producers are not eligible for Stream 3

Eligible expenses

  • New or modified commercially available equipment, technology, and machinery that is Innovative or Advances Manufacturing for production and/or 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, and one-time purchasing costs of software or upgrades
  • New or refurbished equipment, parts, components and/or technology that improves energy efficiency
  • Water use equipment and technology, facility improvements related to building energy efficiency improvements, and one-time third-party expertise/services such as engineering services, staff training, and management of the Project

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
  • Costs associated with preparing an application and/or reporting materials, lobbying the Province, new premise/site (green site) development, or any cost that, in AAC’s opinion, was unreasonably incurred or is not necessary for successful completion of the Project
  • Costs to purchase or lease land or buildings; equipment acquired via capital leases; normal ongoing operation and/or maintenance costs, including employee accommodations; and ongoing software fees, licensing, subscriptions, extended warranties, or service costs for continued operation after the Project end date
  • Common items usable for multiple purposes; vehicles, construction, and general agriculture machinery; and any cost for goods or services provided by Canada
  • Salaries, wages, in-kind costs, travel, meals, hotel costs, rebates, credits, or refunds, any portion above fair market value, and goods or services from non-arm’s-length parties without prior written approval

Eligible geographic areas

  • Ontario

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 through automation, robotics, or digitization
  • Purchasing equipment, technology, and machinery that advances food safety and traceability, including food safety equipment, barcoding and product identification systems, and testing equipment for monitoring and analysis
  • Facility or cyber security changes, upgrades, or modifications, and purchasing software or upgrades
  • Purchasing or installing energy-efficiency equipment and technology, modifying water use equipment and technology, making facility improvements related to building energy efficiency, and third-party expertise/services such as engineering services, staff training, and management of the Project

How to apply

  • Apply through the AAC’s Application Portal available online
  • Create one account per Producer or Processor for AAC’s online application system
  • Start the application in the named applicant’s name
  • Use the approved Application available online and complete it fully
  • Provide quotes detailing proposed Eligible Costs related to the Project
  • Follow the instructions in AAC’s online application system to apply for Stream 1, Stream 2, or Stream 3

Documents Needed

  • An approved Application
  • Quotes detailing proposed Eligible Costs related to the Project

Selection criteria

  • Streams 1 and 2: project and outcomes are well-described, and the need and rationale for the Project are demonstrated
  • Streams 1 and 2: the Project quantifies increased growth and productivity for the Applicant
  • Streams 1 and 2: resources, experience, skills, and knowledge for implementation and ongoing successful use are identified
  • Streams 1 and 2: Advanced Manufacturing technology is demonstrated, and Innovation evidence aligns with the Innovation Rating Criteria, including novelty, broader benefits, level of risk, and competitiveness
  • Stream 3: the Project aligns with an energy audit, assessment, or plan for energy efficiency, and demonstrates energy-efficiency improvements and operational cost savings

Processing and Agreement

  • Applications are reviewed after the intake closes, and only complete applications are reviewed
  • Eligible and complete applications are assessed using merit-based criteria; Streams 1 and 2 also use Innovation rating criteria
  • Funding decisions are expected within 60 Business Days of the intake close date, and the Applicant is notified by email
  • If approved, the Applicant must enter into a Funding Agreement and will receive claim procedures and reporting deadlines
  • Claims are reviewed first-come, first-served; a minimum of one Claim must be submitted per Project per Fiscal Year; claims submitted after the applicable deadline will not be accepted; and approved cost-share funding is paid by EFT after eligible costs are incurred and paid and the Claim and report are approved

Additional information

  • The Initiative is funded in part through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership.
  • It is delivered by the Agricultural Adaptation Council on behalf of the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.
  • The Initiative is delivered under three streams: Stream 1, Stream 2, and Stream 3.

Contacts

info@adaptcouncil.org
1-800-769-3272

Official sources

Agri-Tech Innovation Initiative

Program guide

Agri-Tech Innovation Initiative Guidelines (2024)

Supporting document

Purpose
Add helloDarwin as a preferred source on Google

Frequently Asked Questions about the Agri-Tech Innovation Initiative : Stream 3 – Agri-Tech Energy Costs Savings Program

What is the Agri-Tech Innovation Initiative : Stream 3 – Agri-Tech Energy Costs Savings?

The Agri-Tech Innovation Initiative provides up to $22.6 million to help Producers and Processors in Ontario expand production capacity, improve energy efficiency, and strengthen innovation in the agriculture and food sector. It supports commercially available equipment, technology, and machinery, energy-efficiency upgrades, and third-party engineering, training, and management services.

How much funding can be received?

Agri-Tech Innovation Initiative : Stream 3 – Agri-Tech Energy Costs Savings Funds up to 35% of admissible expenses, capped at $100,000 per project.

Who is eligible for the Agri-Tech Innovation Initiative : Stream 3 – Agri-Tech Energy Costs Savings program?

To be eligible for the Agri-Tech Innovation Initiative : Stream 3 – Agri-Tech Energy Costs Savings program, you must: Located in Ontario Producers for Streams 1 and 2, or Processors for Streams 1, 2 and 3 Valid CRA Business Number and Premises ID Number

What expenses are eligible under Agri-Tech Innovation Initiative : Stream 3 – Agri-Tech Energy Costs Savings?

New or modified commercially available equipment, technology, and machinery that is Innovative or Advances Manufacturing for production and/or 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, and one-time purchasing costs of software or upgrades New or refurbished equipment, parts, components and/or technology that improves energy efficiency Water use equipment and technology, facility improvements related to building energy efficiency improvements, and one-time third-party expertise/services such as engineering services, staff training, and management of the Project

Who can I contact for more information about the Agri-Tech Innovation Initiative : Stream 3 – Agri-Tech Energy Costs Savings?

You can contact Agricultural Adaptation Council (AAC) by email at info@adaptcouncil.org or by phone at 1-800-769-3272.

Where is the Agri-Tech Innovation Initiative : Stream 3 – Agri-Tech Energy Costs Savings available?

The Agri-Tech Innovation Initiative : Stream 3 – Agri-Tech Energy Costs Savings program is available the province of Ontario.

Is the Agri-Tech Innovation Initiative : Stream 3 – Agri-Tech Energy Costs Savings a grant, loan, or tax credit?

Agri-Tech Innovation Initiative : Stream 3 – Agri-Tech Energy Costs Savings is a Grant and Funding