Closed
Source verified July 23, 2026
AgriScience Program – Clusters
Funding for agricultural research and innovation collaboration
Receipt of requests is now closed
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Latest source updateLast Update: July 9, 2026Latest change: The eligibility guidance now shows a much more generic checklist, and a contribution agreement template has been added with new funding, reporting, and contact details.View change
Latest source update
Last Update: July 9, 2026
Latest change: The eligibility guidance now shows a much more generic checklist, and a contribution agreement template has been added with new funding, reporting, and contact details.
Eligibility and agreement details updated
The AgriScience Program – Clusters eligibility page now replaces several specific applicant rules with a generic statement that applicants must meet all eligibility criteria, removing the earlier not-for-profit, legal-entity, and consent-to-share requirements. The program’s contribution agreement page also now shows substantive terms that were not previously visible, including payment caps, percentage share and holdbacks, reporting deadlines for interim, year-end, and final reports, and program contact details. These changes affect who can qualify, how the agreement is framed, and the funding conditions applicants must prepare for. The step-by-step application pages and the main program overview appear unchanged aside from site navigation noise.
Funding available
$ 5,000,000 - $ 15,000,000
Deadline
Closed
Location
Canada
Overview
The AgriScience Program – Clusters provides up to $15 million over five years to support pre-commercial research and innovation activities in Canada’s agriculture and agri-food sector. Funding is available for activities such as applied research, development, and technology transfer, focusing on climate change, economic growth, and sector resilience.
Receipt of requests is now closed
Get notified about updates to this grant.
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 : 15,000,000 $
- Minimum amount : 5,000,000 $
- Up to 70% of project cost
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- Financial cooperative
- Non-profit
- Non-financial cooperative
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
- Other Racialized Persons
- Canadians
- Youth (<40)
- Women
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Higher Education
- Research
- Environment
- Economic, Social and Community Development
- Business Associations
- Diversity and Inclusion
Target groups
- Indigenous peoples
- Rural / Remote communities
- Business owners / entrepreneurs
- Nonprofits / charities
- Academia / students
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- Local
- Municipal
- Regional
- Provincial
- National
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Applied research and development.
- Technology and knowledge transfer.
- Variety development, where the research aligns with at least one of the three priority areas.
- Activities in support of Indigenous groups (First Nation, Métis or Inuit) to conduct research and share new and traditional scientific knowledge.
Documents Needed
- Your completed application
- All required supporting documents
Official resources
Eligibility
Eligible expenses
- Eligible project costs must fall within the program cost categories and respect all limitations.
- In-kind contributions may count toward the cost-share, up to 10%.
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Costs incurred before AAFC approval or the project start date may not be reimbursed.
Eligible geographic areas
- Canada
- Quebec-based applicants
Selection criteria
- The application process is competitive and the application assessment will consider 3 main components: the science, the program’s funding principles, and your organizational capacity.
- The science assessment examines relevance, risk, feasibility and impact of the research on the sector, research methodology and experimental design, peer reviews, realistic timelines, science capacity, and proven capacity/capability of intellectual property management where applicable.
- Proposals are assessed against the program funding principles: Strategic value to Canada, Whole value chain approach, Results-based, Knowledge transfer and adoption, and Collaboration, partnerships, diversity and inclusion.
- Priority for funding and support will be directed toward proposals and/or activities that meet or exceed the expectations outlined in these program principles and assessment criteria.
How to apply
- Step 1: Request the application package from AAFC by email.
- Step 2: Complete the application package and show all sources of funding.
- Step 3: Submit the completed application package by email to AAFC.
- Step 4: Wait for the acknowledgement notice.
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are reviewed competitively.
- Applications are assessed on science, funding principles, and organizational capacity.
- Applicants receive an acknowledgement notice after submission.
- Applicants are notified of approval or rejection within 100 business days after a complete application is received.
- Funding is not guaranteed, even if eligibility criteria are met.
Additional information
- Intake periods for the program may open and close, so applicants should monitor for future opportunities.
- Applicants must demonstrate compliance with provincial legislation, such as Quebec's M-30 Act, if applicable.
- Acknowledgement of application receipt will be sent within one business day after submission.
- Service standards include a goal to respond to general inquiries and application acknowledgements within one business day.
Contacts
Other components of this program
Explore related funding streams and grants that belong to the same program.
- AgriScience Program – ProjectsSupports pre-commercial agricultural research and innovation
- AgriScience Program — Projects – Not-for-profitPre-commercial agriculture innovation funding
- AgriScience Program — Projects — for-profit organizationsPre-commercial agri R&D support for companies
Frequently Asked Questions about the AgriScience Program – Clusters Program
What is the AgriScience Program – Clusters?
The AgriScience Program – Clusters provides up to $15 million over five years to support pre-commercial research and innovation activities in Canada’s agriculture and agri-food sector. Funding is available for activities such as applied research, development, and technology transfer, focusing on climate change, economic growth, and sector resilience.
How much funding can be received?
AgriScience Program – Clusters Funds up to 70% of admissible expenses, capped at $15,000,000 per project.
What expenses are eligible under AgriScience Program – Clusters?
Applied research and development.
Technology and knowledge transfer.
Variety development, where the research aligns with at least one of the three priority areas.
Activities in support of Indigenous groups (First Nation, Métis or Inuit) to conduct research and share new and traditional scientific knowledge.
Who can I contact for more information about the AgriScience Program – Clusters?
You can contact Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) by email at aafc.agriscienceprogram-programmeagri-science.aac@agr.gc.ca or by phone at 1-877-246-4682.
Where is the AgriScience Program – Clusters available?
The AgriScience Program – Clusters program is available across Canada.
Is the AgriScience Program – Clusters a grant, loan, or tax credit?
AgriScience Program – Clusters is a Grant and Funding
Who are the financial supporters of the AgriScience Program – Clusters?
AgriScience Program – Clusters is funded by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC)