How much funding can be received?

Funds up to 60% of admissible expenses, capped at $5000000 per project.

What is the deadline to apply?

The deadline to apply is 2028-03-31T23:59:59Z.

Who are the financial supporters of the AgriInnovate Program?

AgriInnovate Program is funded by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), Government of Canada

What are AgriInnovate Program's eligibility criterias?

The organization must be a for-profit entity incorporated in Canada. The organization must be a legal entity capable of entering into a legally binding agreement. The project activities must focus on the commercialization, demonstration, or adoption of agricultural, agri-food, or agri-industrial innovative technologies or processes that are ready for commercialization.

AgriInnovate Program

grant_single|update April 19, 2025

Canada

Repayable contributions for agri-sector innovation projects

grant_single_labels|summary

grant_single_labels|preview

grant_single_labels|terms_and_conditions

grant_single_labels|projects

grant_single_labels|admissibility

grant_single_labels|criteria

grant_single_labels|apply

grant_single_labels|otherInfo

grant_single_labels|documents

grant_single_labels|summary

grant_single|eligibleFinancing

grant_single|maxCount
grant_single|projectCostPercent

grant_single|deadlines

grant_single|openingDate October 1, 2023
grant_single|closingDate March 31, 2028

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

Get up to $5 million in repayable contributions to cover 50% of the cost of projects that aim to accelerate demonstration, commercialization and/or adoption of innovative products, technologies, processes or services that increase agri-sector competitiven

grant_single_labels|terms_and_conditions

The maximum Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) contribution per project is normally not to exceed $5,000,000.
The standard cost-share ratio is AAFC (60%) : Applicant (40%) when the organization is majority-owned or led by under-represented groups; otherwise, standard funding typically covers up to 50% of eligible project costs.
The repayable contributions must be reimbursed over a maximum of ten years after project completion, with repayment typically beginning one year after the end of the project; no interest is charged except for late payments or Crown debts.

grant_single_labels|projects

Commercialization of innovative agricultural, agri-food, or agri-industrial technologies or processes.
Demonstration of innovative agricultural, agri-food, or agri-industrial technologies or processes that are ready for commercialization, involving elements like production of samples for market validation and creation of reference sites for pre-commercial demonstrations.
Adoption of innovative technologies or processes that are ready for commercialization based on the applicant's agricultural and agri-food operations.

grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample

$ 1,000,000

Demonstrate a new vertical farming prototype

$ 2,500,000

Commercialize an innovative food waste recycling process

$ 2,000,000

Create a mobile app for dairy farm management optimization

$ 1,500,000

Adopt precision agriculture tools in grain farming

$ 5,000,000

Develop an advanced hydroponic farming system

grant_single_labels|admissibility

The applicant must be a for-profit organization incorporated in Canada.
The applicant must be a legal entity capable of entering into legally binding agreements.
The majority of the organization (more than 50%) must be owned or led by one or more under-represented groups if seeking the additional cost-share ratio benefit.
Eligible activities include the commercialization or demonstration of innovative agricultural, agri-food, or agri-industrial technologies or processes.
The project must be in the "technology demonstration" to "technology adoption" phase of the innovation continuum.
All necessary tests and pilots must have been completed, ensuring the technology is ready for commercialization.
The project must address specific weaknesses in the Canadian agricultural or agri-food sector with innovative solutions.
The innovation must either be new to the Canadian agricultural or agri-food sector, not widely adopted in other countries, or require significant adaptation or customization.

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply

For-profit organizations incorporated in Canada
Entities capable of entering legally binding agreements
Organizations participating in the commercialization of agricultural, agri-food, or agri-industrial innovative technologies or processes
Organizations demonstrating innovative technologies or processes in agriculture, agri-food, or agri-industrial sectors
Organizations engaged in the adoption of innovative technologies or processes ready for commercialization within agricultural or agri-food operations

grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses

Capital expenses such as renovations, site improvements, leasehold improvements, purchase of buildings, construction, and associated costs.
Purchase and installation costs of machinery, equipment, and software.
Contractual and professional or specialized services necessary for the completion of eligible project activities, including Indigenous elders.
Subcontracted work costs related to compliance with the Impact Assessment Act.
Salaries and benefits including specific daily allowances for labour costs.
Rent and lease costs for facilities, equipment, or machinery.
Startup costs such as capitalized interest during construction, insurance during construction, fees and charges for equipment use for adjustment and calibration, and training.
Production costs for required documentation under the agreement, including translation and document preparation in the second official language.
Limited marketing costs, including hiring marketing experts and related marketing activities necessary for the project's success (up to a maximum of 20% of total eligible costs).
Materials and consumables necessary for the execution of the project.
Other reasonable costs directly related to the project, at the discretion of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC).

grant_single_labels|criteria

Alignment with the objectives and priorities of the program: projects should demonstrate significant innovation that contributes to the development and expansion or diversification of the agricultural and agri-food innovation ecosystem, offering broad advantages to the Canadian agricultural or agri-food sector.
Technical feasibility: provide evidence that the innovation has been tested and is ready for the next stage of commercial development. Address the extent to which modifications mitigate targeted technical risks.
Project activities should be scientifically based, relevant and feasible, including Indigenous knowledge and new and traditional scientific methods.
The realism of timelines for producing expected results.
Capacity of the applicant: demonstrate the technical, financial, and management capacities needed to complete the project within time and budget constraints.
Project funding must be secured, and you must show you can cover any financial shortfall related to the project, including financing other operational or growth activities.
Your ability to repay a repayable contribution, if applicable.
Market-focused proposal: demonstrate a market need and demand for the innovation nationally and internationally, and the project's potential to increase demand for primary and secondary agricultural and agri-industrial inputs, increase revenues, and create jobs.
Total maximum government funding (federal, provincial/territorial, and municipal) generally cannot exceed 75% of eligible costs per project, or 100% for projects from Indigenous or other under-represented groups.

grant_single_labels|apply

grant_single_labels|otherInfo

All projects must be completed by March 31, 2028, and the program continues to accept applications on a continuous basis until this date, or until funding is fully committed.
The program provides additional cost-sharing benefits if more than 50% of the organization is owned or led by under-represented groups, such as Indigenous Peoples, youth, women, visible minorities, persons with disabilities, and 2SLGBTQI+ individuals.
The-programmed contributions are repayable, and specific terms will be defined in the contribution agreement, generally requiring repayment over ten years, without interest, unless there are late payments or debts due to the Crown.
Applications are assessed based not just on receipt date but also on criteria that may include the project's alignment with program priorities.
Project summaries are required as part of the application process to determine eligibility and adherence to the program's strategic priorities.
A priority is given to projects involving multiple priority areas like advanced manufacturing, automation, robotics, and digitization.
Projects not fully aligning with priority areas may receive reduced contributions from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada or require higher industry contributions.
The potential cumulation of government funding from federal, provincial/territorial, and municipal sources usually cannot exceed 75% of the project's eligible costs. For beneficiaries from under-represented groups, it can be up to 100%.
The AgriInnovate Program mandates a detailed application process involving both a project summary form and a full application to ascertain the innovative impact and readiness for commercialization of the proposed projects.
Contact information for Indigenous applicants is provided to facilitate tailored assistance through the Indigenous Pathfinder, with dedicated email and phone support.