How much funding can be received?

The AgriCompetitiveness Program, under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, offers up to $1 million per year or a maximum of $5 million over five years for projects aimed at enhancing the agricultural sector's development through environmental awareness, capacity building, and risk management. Eligible activities include sector-led seminars, educational initiatives at national fairs, management improvement projects, and promoting inclusivity and diversity within the sector.

Financing terms and conditions

AAFC may fund up to $1,000,000 per project per year, or a maximum of $5 million over 5 years.
For projects led by national fairs for awareness or educational activities, the maximum AAFC contribution is $100,000 per year or up to $500,000 over 5 years.
Cost-sharing structure: AAFC covers up to 70% of eligible project expenses; recipients must contribute a minimum of 30%.
In-kind contributions can represent up to 15% of total eligible costs and will not be reimbursed by AAFC.

Eligible projects & activities

Development and dissemination of skills, tools, and best practices within the agriculture and agri-food sector.
Leadership development and facilitation of knowledge transfer through events, conferences, or training initiatives.
Initiatives aimed at increasing business management and planning capacity across the sector.
Projects focused on promoting farm safety and supporting mental health strategies for producers and their families.
Creation and delivery of activities to raise public awareness and trust in Canadian agriculture, including educational initiatives at national agricultural fairs.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 315,000

Launch an entrepreneur skill-building initiative for Indigenous farmers

$ 140,000

Promote mental health awareness through a series of workshops for farmers

$ 245,000

Establish a leadership development program for young farmers

$ 105,000

Host a series of webinars on risk management and financial planning for farmers

$ 280,000

Develop a farm safety resource kit for distribution to producers nationwide

$ 350,000

Organize a national agricultural fair focusing on sustainable practices in the sector

Eligibility criteria of the AgriCompetitiveness Program program

The applicant must be a not-for-profit organization or a not-for-profit Indigenous organization (First Nations, Inuit, or Métis).
The applicant must be a legal entity capable of entering into legally binding agreements.
The applicant must demonstrate the ability to deliver a national and/or agriculture and agri-food sector-wide project, including engaging relevant industry stakeholders and gathering support from them.
The proposed project must fall within eligible activities such as building skills and knowledge, leadership development, increasing business management and planning capacity, promoting farm safety, or increasing public trust in agriculture.
The application must include all required documentation, including a complete application form, financial statements, legal incorporation documents, and, if applicable, letters of support.

Who is eligible?

Not-for-profit organizations operating in the agriculture and agri-food sector
Not-for-profit Indigenous organizations (First Nations, Métis, Inuit) within the agriculture and agri-food sector
Associations of workers and/or employers within the industry
Local community, charitable, or voluntary organizations related to agriculture
National domestic agricultural fairs and exhibitions

Who is not eligible

For-profit organizations of any type.
Commodity organizations.
Individuals (non-organizational applicants).

Eligible expenses

Personnel salaries and benefits directly related to project activities.
Costs associated with the development and dissemination of information, tools, and resources (such as publications, websites, newsletters, and educational materials).
Expenses for organizing and delivering events, conferences, workshops, seminars, and training sessions linked to the project's scope.
Purchase or rental of equipment essential for the completion of project tasks (including equipment owned or donated with a useful life over 1 year and per item cost above $10,000, as an in-kind contribution).
Travel and accommodation expenses necessary for implementing the project.
Costs related to communication and outreach activities that support awareness, knowledge transfer, or capacity-building.
Inspection services provided by third parties as a required part of the project (may be treated as in-kind if donated).

Eligible geographic areas

Organizations operating across Canada, including all provinces and territories.

Eligibility criteria of the AgriCompetitiveness Program program

Completeness of the application and eligibility of the proposed project.
Alignment of proposed activities, expected results, and outcomes with program objectives and priorities.
Identification of all sources of funding for the proposed project.
Organizational capacity to deliver the project, including resources, timelines, and previous experience with AAFC programming.
Potential impact of the project on sector capacity, growth, leadership, and relevance to stakeholders.

How to apply to the AgriCompetitiveness Program program

Understand Program Offerings

Familiarize yourself with the objectives, funding details, and eligible activities of the program.
Review the intake periods and funding limits.

Ensure Eligibility

Verify that your organization and proposed activities meet the eligibility criteria of the program.

Preparation Before Application

Contact AAFC program staff to confirm the eligibility and valuation of any in-kind contributions.

Application Preparation

Draft a proposal detailing your project’s objectives, outcomes, and financial requirements.
Gather necessary documentation, including budgets, timelines, and any supporting materials.

Submit Application

Submit your application through the required channel as outlined by the program guidelines.
Make sure all required documents are complete and uploaded before the deadline.

Post-Submission Procedures

Await confirmation and any further communications from the funding body regarding your application status.

Additional information

Program costs can be eligible as of April 1, 2026, but only after the application is deemed complete.
Quebec-based organizations must demonstrate compliance with the Province of Quebec's M-30 Act during the application process.
Indigenous recipients may access flexible contribution funding and tailored provisions as part of their agreement.
Intellectual property created with grant funding will belong to the recipient, but Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada retains usage rights for government purposes.