AgriAssurance Program — National Industry Association
Canada
Funding for agriculture and agri-food health and safety systems
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|projectCostPercent
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|openingDateMarch 06, 2023
- grant_single|closingDateSeptember 30, 2027
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
grant_single|grantors
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC)
- Government of Canada
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|open
grant_single_labels|preview
Up to $1 million over five years for not-for-profit organizations to help industry develop and adopt systems, standards and tools to support health and safety claims about Canadian agricultural and agri-food products.
grant_single_labels|projects
There are eligible projects or activities for this grant.
- Develop or improve assurance systems to manage risks and ensure product safety and quality
- Adopt assurance systems and tools to make verifiable claims to meet market requirements
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$120,000
Development of a quality control system for seafood processing
$60,000
Improving quality assurance for dairy products through advanced testing methods
$120,000
Implementing a certification program for pesticide-free produce
$150,000
Adoption of blockchain tools to verify meat traceability from farm to table
$85,000
Launching a traceable honey production and certification system
$80,000
Development of a food safety assurance system for local organic farms
grant_single_labels|admissibility
Eligibility for the Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Component of the AgriAssurance Program requires the following criteria to be met:
- The applicant must be a small or medium-sized enterprise.
- The project must support the adoption of assurance systems and supporting tools to make verifiable claims for export market requirements or domestic markets for Indigenous Peoples.
- The applicant must be willing and able to contribute a minimum of 25% of eligible project costs, which can include up to 10% in-kind contributions.
- The proposal must align with the program's objectives to manage risks, enhance resiliency, and address market considerations and challenges to public trust.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
The AgriAssurance Program is designed for two main applicant types:- National industry associations: These organizations can apply for funding to develop or improve assurance systems that aid their sector in managing risks and ensuring product safety and quality.- Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs): These businesses can apply for support to adopt assurance systems and tools to make verifiable claims that meet export market requirements or domestic markets for Indigenous Peoples. There is a separate application process for SMEs.
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
The AgriAssurance Program supports projects that involve the development and adoption of assurance systems for agriculture products. These activities are designed to manage risks, enhance market competitiveness, and ensure compliance with regulatory and market standards.
- Development or improvement of industry assurance systems to manage sector-specific risks and ensure product safety and quality.
- Support for small and medium-sized enterprises to adopt assurance systems and tools to make verifiable claims for market requirements.
- Initiatives to increase and diversify agricultural exports to markets with existing free trade agreements.
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
The grant covers specific expenses that align with the project's eligible costs and contribute to its completion.
- Contributions toward eligible costs, whether in cash or in-kind, essential for completing project activities.
grant_single_labels|criteria
There are evaluation and selection criteria for this grant. The criteria include:
- Demonstrated need for funding
- Alignment with program objectives
- Capacity to deliver results
- Financial sustainability
- Measurable outcomes
- Evidence of collaboration and partnerships
grant_single_labels|register
Here are the steps to submit an application for this grant:
- Step 1: Understand Program Offers
- Familiarize yourself with the AgriAssurance Program's goals and components.
- Check the intake period and funding details.
- Step 2: Ensure Eligibility
- Verify organizational eligibility for either the National Industry Association Component or the Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Component.
- Step 3: Application Preparations
- Compile necessary documents such as project descriptions, objectives, and expected outcomes.
- Check cost-sharing requirements and prepare funding sources.
- Contact AAFC for confirmation of in-kind contributions eligibility and valuation.
- Step 4: Submit Application
- Access the AAFC portal or application submission method provided by the program.
- Upload all required documentation and fill out the application form fully.
- Step 5: Finalize Application
- Review the application for completeness and accuracy.
- Submit the application before the deadline.
- Step 6: Await Results
- Monitor communications from AAFC for status updates on your application.
- Prepare to provide additional information if requested.
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
Here are additional relevant details for this grant:
- Applications will be accepted until September 30, 2027, but the period may close earlier if funding is fully committed.
- The program ends on March 31, 2028.
- The maximum Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) contribution is normally $1 million per year per project.
- The applicant's portion of the cost-share can combine cash and in-kind contributions, with in-kind contributions typically not exceeding 10% of total eligible costs.
- It is advised to contact AAFC program staff early for confirmation on the eligibility and valuation of in-kind contributions.
Apply to this program
Enhancing Canadian Agriculture Exports Through Assurance Systems
Canada's AgriAssurance Program offers substantial funding to bolster the adoption and development of assurance systems, fostering safer and market-ready agricultural products. This strategic initiative aims at elevating Canadian small and medium-sized enterprises to thrive in export markets by validating product standards and nurturing public trust.
In-Depth Understanding of the AgriAssurance Program
The AgriAssurance Program, under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP), is a robust initiative with a funding pool of $64.05 million, targeted at enhancing the global competitiveness and sustainable expansion of Canadian agriculture. The program serves as a vital conduit for developing assurance systems designed to manage risks related to food safety, environmental sustainability, and regulatory compliance—ultimately promoting the resilience of the agricultural sector.
Primarily, it supports efforts to improve the credibility and traceability of Canadian agricultural products across international markets through its two main components: the National Industry Association Component and the Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Component. While the former helps industry associations refine their assurance systems, the latter focuses on aiding smaller businesses in implementing these systems to meet specific market demands.
Businesses participating in the program can avail themselves of a funding contribution from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) of up to $1 million annually. The funding is structured on a cost-sharing basis, with AAFC covering up to 75% of eligible expenses, leaving businesses responsible for the remaining 25%, which can include both cash and in-kind contributions. This financial framework is intended to catalyze business investments in quality enhancement and compliance, fostering more robust assurance practices.
Another critical aspect of the AgriAssurance Program is its alignment with Canada's broader trade strategies. By enhancing product standards and verifiable claims, the program intends to expand and diversify Canadian exports primarily to countries with existing free trade agreements. This aligns with Canada’s strategic goals of adapting to global market trends and fostering trust in Canadian agricultural produce, which is crucial for accessing new markets and strengthening existing trade relations.
The program not only addresses the exportation dimension but also responds to domestic markets, including those serving Indigenous peoples. By supporting the development, verification, and integration of assurance systems, the program supports various market requirements, ranging from food safety to environmental sustainability. These efforts are expected to elevate consumer confidence domestically and internationally.
Finally, the program recognizes the importance of innovation and strategic partnerships. By facilitating collaboration between industry players and regulatory bodies, it aspires to create an ecosystem wherein verifiable claims about product safety and quality are seamlessly integrated into agricultural practices. This collaborative approach not only acts as a catalyst for growth but also fosters resilience against global agricultural challenges.
In summary, the AgriAssurance Program offers a unique opportunity for Canadian agriculture to enhance competitiveness and market access through assurance systems. By effectively leveraging these resources and partnerships, industry participants can significantly contribute to the program’s overarching goal of sustaining public trust and resilience while achieving long-term market expansion and diversity.
