Open
Source verified July 6, 2026
AgriCompetitiveness Program
Funding to build capacity in the agricultural sector
Funding available
$ 1,000,000
Deadline
Open continuously
Opened February 3, 2026
Location
Canada
Who can apply
Not-for-profit organizations operating in the agriculture and agri-food sector
See full eligibility
Overview
The AgriCompetitiveness Program, under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, supports projects that build entrepreneurial capacity, sector leadership, and public trust in the Canadian agriculture and agri-food sector. Eligible activities include seminars, conferences, training, communications, farm safety initiatives, and educational activities at national domestic agricultural fairs and exhibitions.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase performance through digital transformation
- Develop a new product or service
- Optimize production processes
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 1,000,000 $
- Up to 70% of project cost
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- Non-profit
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- All groups
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Research
- Environment
- Economic, Social and Community Development
- Employment and Training
- Business Associations
- Diversity and Inclusion
Target groups
- General public
- Children & youth
- Young adults
- Indigenous peoples
- Rural / Remote communities
- Business owners / entrepreneurs
- Nonprofits / charities
- Academia / students
- Community leaders
- Minority groups
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- National
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Building skills, tools, knowledge, and best practices among industry members.
- Helping the sector build leadership and facilitate knowledge transfer.
- Increasing business management and planning capacity within the sector.
- Promoting farm safety.
- Increasing public trust.
Documents Needed
- Detailed Project Budget
- Strategic Plan for AgriCompetitiveness Program Proposal
- Copy of the organization's Certificates or Articles of Incorporation
- Copy of the last 2 years' financial statements
- Executive Summary
Official resources
Program guide
Eligibility
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
- Commodity organizations.
- For-profit organizations.
- Individuals.
Eligible expenses
- Costs incurred as of April 1, 2026, if they are otherwise eligible and within the program requirements.
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Costs incurred before the application is deemed complete.
- Costs incurred before April 1, 2026.
Eligible geographic areas
- Organizations operating across Canada, including all provinces and territories.
Selection criteria
- The application is complete and the proposed project is eligible.
- The proposed activities, expected results, and outcomes support program objectives and priorities.
- All sources of funding for the proposed project are identified.
- The organization's capacity to deliver the project, including resources, timelines, and previous history with AAFC programming, is assessed.
- The project is reviewed for scope, duration, value for money, and importance of the eligible activities.
How to apply
- Access your program information.
- Click the Grants and contributions button, then choose a secure sign-in method and sign in or sign up.
- Start a new application process and complete the AgriCompetitiveness Program Application Form.
- Download, complete, and save the required Detailed Project Budget and Strategic Plan for AgriCompetitiveness Program Proposal forms.
- Upload the completed forms and required supporting documents, then complete the application details.
- Submit your complete application.
Processing and Agreement
- After submission, AAFC sends an acknowledgement notice and the application is considered submitted once it is received.
- AAFC verifies whether the application is complete before beginning a full assessment.
- If approved, the applicant receives a written decision letter and negotiates a contribution agreement with a program officer.
- AAFC cannot reimburse costs incurred until a contribution agreement is signed.
- Approved recipients must provide progress, performance, financial, and other requested reports.
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.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the AgriCompetitiveness Program Program
What is the AgriCompetitiveness Program?
The AgriCompetitiveness Program, under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, supports projects that build entrepreneurial capacity, sector leadership, and public trust in the Canadian agriculture and agri-food sector. Eligible activities include seminars, conferences, training, communications, farm safety initiatives, and educational activities at national domestic agricultural fairs and exhibitions.
How much funding can be received?
AgriCompetitiveness Program Funds up to 70% of admissible expenses, capped at $1,000,000 per project.
Who is eligible for the AgriCompetitiveness Program program?
To be eligible for the AgriCompetitiveness Program program, you must:
The project must be related to delivering national services and/or products in an eligible area.
The application must identify all sources of funding for the project.
The application must include enough detail for AAFC to assess eligibility.
What expenses are eligible under AgriCompetitiveness Program?
Building skills, tools, knowledge, and best practices among industry members.
Helping the sector build leadership and facilitate knowledge transfer.
Increasing business management and planning capacity within the sector.
Promoting farm safety.
Increasing public trust.
Who can I contact for more information about the AgriCompetitiveness Program?
You can contact Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) by email at aafc.agricompetitivenessagri-competitivite.aac@agr.gc.ca or by phone at 1-877-246-4682.
Where is the AgriCompetitiveness Program available?
The AgriCompetitiveness Program program is available across Canada.
Is the AgriCompetitiveness Program a grant, loan, or tax credit?
AgriCompetitiveness Program is a Grant and Funding