Closed
Source verified July 25, 2026
Agri-Tech Innovation Initiative : Stream 3
Cost-shared support for agri-food innovation
Funding available
$ 100,000
Deadline
March 28, 2024
Opened February 15, 2024
Location
Ontario, Canada
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.
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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 35% 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 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
Documents Needed
- Completed AAC application
- Quotes detailing proposed Eligible Costs related to the Project
Official resources
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
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
How to apply
- Create one account per Producer or Processor in AAC’s online application system
- Start the application in the named applicant’s name through the AAC Application Portal
- Use the approved online Application and complete it fully
- Provide quotes detailing proposed Eligible Costs related to the Project
- Follow the AAC online application instructions to apply for Stream 1, Stream 2, or Stream 3
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
Other components of this program
Explore related funding streams and grants that belong to the same program.
- Agri-Tech Innovation Initiative : Stream 1Cost-shared support for agri-tech investments
- Agri-Tech Innovation Initiative : Stream 2Supports agri-food innovation and efficiency
Frequently Asked Questions about the Agri-Tech Innovation Initiative : Stream 3 Program
What is the Agri-Tech Innovation Initiative : Stream 3?
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 Funds up to 35% of admissible expenses, capped at $100,000 per project.
What is the deadline to apply?
The application deadline for this grant program was March 28, 2024.
Who is eligible for the Agri-Tech Innovation Initiative : Stream 3 program?
To be eligible for the Agri-Tech Innovation Initiative : Stream 3 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?
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
Who can I contact for more information about the Agri-Tech Innovation Initiative : Stream 3?
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 available?
The Agri-Tech Innovation Initiative : Stream 3 program is available the province of Ontario.