AgriAssurance Program — National Industry Association
grant_single|update March 16, 2025
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|openingDate March 6, 2023
- grant_single|closingDate September 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|terms_and_conditions
This grant provides structured financing modalities designed to support national industry associations in enhancing assurance systems through cost-sharing mechanisms.
- Cost-sharing of eligible project costs with a maximum contribution from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) of 75%, requiring a minimum 25% contribution from the recipient.
- Your contribution can include both cash and in-kind contributions, although in-kind contributions are typically limited to 10% of the total eligible costs.
- Maximum AAFC funding for a project is set at $1 million per year.
- Funding determinations, including eligibility and valuation of in-kind contributions, must be confirmed with AAFC program staff to ensure compliance.
- The recipient is responsible for ensuring their contributions are aligned with project needs and AAFC requirements, with a focus on verifiable project expenses.
grant_single_labels|projects
This program funds activities that support the development and improvement of assurance systems in the agricultural sector to manage risks, enhance resiliency, and boost export capabilities. These projects also focus on meeting stringent market and regulatory requirements for Canadian agriculture businesses.
- Development of industry-led sector-specific assurance systems to improve risk management and resiliency.
- Implementation of assurance systems to meet food safety standards and plant and animal health surveillance requirements.
- Integration of animal welfare and environmental sustainability protocols within national industry frameworks.
- Enhancement of product traceability, market attributes, and quality standards.
- Support for making credible, meaningful, and verifiable claims regarding the health, safety, and quality of Canadian agricultural products.
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$ 150,000
Adoption of blockchain tools to verify meat traceability from farm to table
$ 60,000
Improving quality assurance for dairy products through advanced testing methods
$ 120,000
Development of a quality control system for seafood processing
$ 120,000
Implementing a certification program for pesticide-free produce
$ 80,000
Development of a food safety assurance system for local organic farms
$ 85,000
Launching a traceable honey production and certification system
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_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|apply
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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
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