Closed
Agriculture Water Infrastructure Program – Stream 4: Strategic Projects
Strategic water infrastructure support for agriculture
Last Update: April 29, 2026
Funding available
$ 2,000,000
Timeline
- Receipt of requests is now closed
Location
British Columbia, Canada
Overview
Cost-shared funding of up to $2M per project supports strategic agricultural water infrastructure projects in British Columbia. The program funds collaborative projects that improve water supply, efficiency, storage, delivery, and drainage conditions.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Increase production or service capacity
- Implement environmental initiatives
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 2,000,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
Timeline
- Receipt of requests is now closed
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- British Columbia
Legal structures
- All legal structures
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
- Rural or Northern Residents
- Startups
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Rehabilitation and upgrades of agricultural dams and reservoirs
- Improvement or new construction of dugouts and other water storage infrastructure
- New water storage infrastructure and water delivery systems
- Conversion of conveyance ditches to pipelines and extension of water networks
- Diking, drainage, and other strategic watershed solutions
Documents Needed
- Organization registration details for the IAF Client Portal
- Project summary and planned activities
- Proof that technical, environmental, and regulatory requirements are met
- Letters of support from collaborators or interested groups
- Relevant studies, plans, permits, or supporting documents
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- BC-based irrigation districts and improvement districts
- Local governments and regional districts
- Non-profit organizations in agriculture or conservation
- Water users' communities
- Indigenous communities, governing bodies, and Indigenous organizations
Who is not eligible
- Producer-owned businesses, including sole proprietorships, partnerships, corporations, and cooperatives
- Diking districts
- Non-agricultural individuals or groups, including seafood and aquaculture
- Provincial and federal governments
- Crown corporations
Eligible expenses
- Construction, materials, machinery, and equipment for eligible water infrastructure
- Professional services for project supervision and engineering support
- Meters, parts, and installation for agricultural water metering
- Power line extensions needed for eligible water infrastructure
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Costs incurred before approval
- In-kind activities
- Non-agricultural water uses
- Farm equipment purchases and accessories
- Used materials, water treatment, and routine operating or maintenance costs
Eligible geographic areas
- British Columbia
- Tier 1 priority watersheds
- Tier 2 priority watersheds
Processing and Agreement
- Step 1: Expression of interest review
- IAF screens eligibility, completeness, and alignment with program criteria.
- Applications are evaluated against Step 1 criteria and shared with Ministry staff for input.
- Successful applicants are invited to complete a full application.
- Step 2: Full application review
- IAF reviews completeness, permits, eligibility, and Step 2 criteria.
- Projects may be reviewed by a Technical Review Committee or specialist.
- Applicants are notified by email through the IAF Client Portal.
- Step 3: Decision and agreement
- IAF issues the funding decision after review.
- If approved, terms and conditions are provided by email.
- A contribution agreement must be signed before work or spending begins.
Additional information
- Applications use a two-step process: expression of interest, then full application if invited.
- Applications are submitted through the IAF Client Portal.
- Successful projects must use the approved funding only for the approved project and related expenses.
- Public communications about the project must be pre-approved for funding acknowledgement.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Agriculture Water Infrastructure Program – Stream 4: Strategic Projects Program
Here are answers to the most common questions about the Agriculture Water Infrastructure Program – Stream 4: Strategic Projects. This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.
What is the Agriculture Water Infrastructure Program – Stream 4: Strategic Projects?
Cost-shared funding of up to $2M per project supports strategic agricultural water infrastructure projects in British Columbia. The program funds collaborative projects that improve water supply, efficiency, storage, delivery, and drainage conditions.
How much funding can be received?
Agriculture Water Infrastructure Program – Stream 4: Strategic Projects Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses, capped at $2,000,000 per project.
Who is eligible for the Agriculture Water Infrastructure Program – Stream 4: Strategic Projects program?
To be eligible for the Agriculture Water Infrastructure Program – Stream 4: Strategic Projects program, you must:
BC-based applicant
Project in priority watershed
Collaborative agricultural water project
What expenses are eligible under Agriculture Water Infrastructure Program – Stream 4: Strategic Projects?
Rehabilitation and upgrades of agricultural dams and reservoirs
Improvement or new construction of dugouts and other water storage infrastructure
New water storage infrastructure and water delivery systems
Conversion of conveyance ditches to pipelines and extension of water networks
Diking, drainage, and other strategic watershed solutions
Who can I contact for more information about the Agriculture Water Infrastructure Program – Stream 4: Strategic Projects?
You can contact Investment Agriculture Foundation (IAF) by email at awp@iafbc.ca or by phone at 250-940-6150.
Where is the Agriculture Water Infrastructure Program – Stream 4: Strategic Projects available?
The Agriculture Water Infrastructure Program – Stream 4: Strategic Projects program is available the province of British Columbia.
Is the Agriculture Water Infrastructure Program – Stream 4: Strategic Projects a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Agriculture Water Infrastructure Program – Stream 4: Strategic Projects is a Partnering and Collaboration