Closed
Source verified March 4, 2026
AgriRisk Initiatives - Microgrants Funding
Supports development of innovative agricultural risk management solutions
Offered by
Funding available
$ 2,500,000
Deadline
Open continuously
Location
Canada
Who can apply
Industry organizations representing agricultural and agri-business stakeholders (such as producer associations and commodity groups)
See full eligibility
Overview
The AgriRisk Initiatives – Microgrants Funding provides funding of up to $500,000 per year (to a maximum of $2.5 million over five years) to support the research and development of innovative risk management tools in the Canadian agriculture sector. Eligible activities include developing new risk management products, conducting sector risk assessments, stakeholder consultations, data analysis, and outreach initiatives.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase performance through digital transformation
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Develop a new product or service
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 2,500,000 $
- Up to 85% of project cost
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- Financial cooperative
- Non-profit
- Public or Parapublic institution
- Non-financial cooperative
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
- Persons with Disabilities
- Language Minorities
- Canadians
- Youth (<40)
- Women
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Higher Education
- Research
- Economic, Social and Community Development
- Business Associations
- Diversity and Inclusion
Target groups
- Young adults
- Indigenous peoples
- People with disabilities
- Women & girls
- Business owners / entrepreneurs
- Academia / students
- Minority groups
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- Provincial
- National
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Conducting risk assessments, vulnerability studies, and sector benchmarking analyses in agriculture.
- Developing or refining innovative risk management tools, including insurance-based products and decision-making services for the agricultural sector.
- Carrying out industry consultations, focus groups, and surveys to identify and address sector-specific risks.
- Launching new risk management products or services for agriculture, including the creation of business cases and delivery strategies.
- Designing and executing communication, outreach, or training initiatives to support the adoption of new risk management solutions.
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Industry organizations representing agricultural and agri-business stakeholders (such as producer associations and commodity groups)
- Co-operatives
- Mutual insurance companies
- Reciprocals
- Post-secondary academic institutions
- Provincial and territorial governments
Who is not eligible
- Businesses that are not legal entities capable of entering into legally binding agreements.
- For-profit commercial enterprises and individuals (as the funding is for not-for-profit entities, government organizations, or academic institutions).
Eligible expenses
- Project management and administrative staff wages for managing project activities.
- Salaries and benefits for staff directly carrying out project activities (excluding bonuses and reporting activities).
- Basic office supplies and administrative expenses, including telephone, internet, office space rent, utilities, postage, and office equipment.
- Professional or specialized contracted services, such as consultants, experts, auditors, researchers, and installation/construction services related to the project.
- Travel expenses directly related to the project, including accommodations, transportation, meals, and incidentals (with limits and pre-approval requirements).
- Pre-approved capital asset purchases necessary for the project, including installation, freight, and related acquisition costs.
- Direct project costs such as shipping, conference or registration fees, construction materials, and translation services necessary for project delivery.
Eligible geographic areas
- All provinces and territories in Canada are eligible.
- Quebec-based organizations may be subject to additional requirements under the M-30 Act.
Selection criteria
- Capacity of the applicant to deliver the project, including available resources and achievable timelines.
- Clarity in identifying project risks and demonstrating appropriate mitigation measures.
- Demonstrated alignment with a recognized risk management need or opportunity in the agricultural sector.
- Strength of engagement and consultation with industry and relevant partners.
- Quality and clarity of expected outcomes, with logical links to planned activities and deliverables.
How to apply
- Step 1: Review Application Forms
- Download and review all required application forms from the ARI program website to understand the information and documents you will need to provide.
- Step 2: Complete Online Application Form
- Access the ARI website and fill out the online application form with required organizational and project details.
- Step 3: Prepare Supporting Documents
- Complete the Workplan Key Activities form with detailed budget and activity breakdown.
- Complete the Additional Project Information form with project narrative and supporting descriptions.
- Complete the Consent for Use, Disclosure and Copyright form.
- Complete the Designated Signature form, ensuring authorized signatories are included.
- Step 4: Submit Application Package
- Submit the main application form online via the ARI website.
- Send the completed supporting forms (Workplan Key Activities, Additional Project Information, Consent for Use, Disclosure and Copyright, Designated Signature) to the ARI program by email or courier (tracked delivery recommended).
- Step 5: Confirmation of Receipt
- Receive an email acknowledging receipt of your online application within two business days.
- Receive a second email to confirm that a complete application package has been received.
- Contact the program if acknowledgements are not received.
- Step 6: Application Assessment and Notification
- Your application will be assessed against eligibility and program criteria as part of a comparative evaluation process.
- Receive notification of approval or rejection within 100 business days after the Call for Applications period ends.
- Step 7: Post-Approval Documentation
- If approved, complete additional budget and declaration forms as required prior to signing a Contribution Agreement with the funding body.
Additional information
- Administrative costs are capped at 10% of total project costs.
- Salaries and benefits contributions should not exceed 10% of total project costs.
- Recipients are required to maintain project performance information for up to three years after project completion.
- All travel and capital asset purchases require pre-approval by program administrators.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the AgriRisk Initiatives - Microgrants Funding Program
What is the AgriRisk Initiatives - Microgrants Funding?
The AgriRisk Initiatives – Microgrants Funding provides funding of up to $500,000 per year (to a maximum of $2.5 million over five years) to support the research and development of innovative risk management tools in the Canadian agriculture sector. Eligible activities include developing new risk management products, conducting sector risk assessments, stakeholder consultations, data analysis, and outreach initiatives.
How much funding can be received?
AgriRisk Initiatives - Microgrants Funding Funds up to 85% of admissible expenses, capped at $2,500,000 per project.
Who is eligible for the AgriRisk Initiatives - Microgrants Funding program?
To be eligible for the AgriRisk Initiatives - Microgrants Funding program, you must:
Applicant must be a legal entity capable of entering into binding agreements.
Eligible organizations include not-for-profit industry associations, co-operatives, mutual insurance companies, reciprocals, post-secondary academic institutions, and provincial/territorial governments.
What expenses are eligible under AgriRisk Initiatives - Microgrants Funding?
Conducting risk assessments, vulnerability studies, and sector benchmarking analyses in agriculture.
Developing or refining innovative risk management tools, including insurance-based products and decision-making services for the agricultural sector.
Carrying out industry consultations, focus groups, and surveys to identify and address sector-specific risks.
Launching new risk management products or services for agriculture, including the creation of business cases and delivery strategies.
Designing and executing communication, outreach, or training initiatives to support the adoption of new risk management solutions.
Who can I contact for more information about the AgriRisk Initiatives - Microgrants Funding?
You can contact Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) by email at ari-iar@agr.gc.ca or by phone at 1-877-246-4682.
Where is the AgriRisk Initiatives - Microgrants Funding available?
The AgriRisk Initiatives - Microgrants Funding program is available across Canada.
Is the AgriRisk Initiatives - Microgrants Funding a grant, loan, or tax credit?
AgriRisk Initiatives - Microgrants Funding is a Grant and Funding