Closed
AgriScience Program – Clusters
Last Update: March 4, 2026
Canada
Funding for agricultural research and innovation collaboration
Researchers And Facilities
Partnering and Collaboration
Grant and Funding
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.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Integrate new technologies
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Develop a new product
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 15,000,000 $
- Minimum amount : 5,000,000 $
- Up to 70% of project cost
Timeline
- Receipt of requests is now closed
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
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
- 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
Activities funded
- Collaborative research and development projects advancing applied agricultural science.
- Technology and knowledge transfer initiatives that support the adoption of innovative solutions in the agriculture sector.
- Industry-academic-government partnership projects addressing national priority themes such as climate change, economic growth, and sector resilience.
- Studies and activities focusing on greenhouse gas emissions reduction, carbon sequestration, and other environmental sustainability objectives.
- Projects supporting Indigenous knowledge and science priorities in agriculture, including new and traditional approaches to ecosystem management.
Examples of admissible projects:
$ 6,350,000
Smart irrigation pilots using sensor networks for arable fields
$ 7,450,000
Creation of agri-food waste valorization hub for circular economy
$ 5,850,000
Digital platform to transfer Indigenous land management knowledge to youth
$ 6,700,000
Climate-smart berry farming through renewable energy and monitoring
$ 8,500,000
Developing resilient pulse crop varieties for extreme weather conditions
$ 5,400,000
Testing cover crop blends for soil carbon sequestration benefits
Eligibility
- The applicant must be a not-for-profit organization (such as an association, corporation, cooperative, or Indigenous group).
- The organization must be a legal entity capable of entering into binding agreements.
- The project must align with at least one of the program's priority areas: climate change and environment, economic growth and development, or sector resilience and societal challenges.
- The applicant must consent to share a summary of their proposal with federal, provincial, and territorial governments.
Who is eligible?
- Not-for-profit organizations operating for purposes other than profit
- Industry associations and networks
- Corporations (not-for-profit)
- Cooperatives (not-for-profit)
- Indigenous groups
Who is not eligible
- For-profit companies and businesses (only not-for-profit organizations are eligible).
- Organizations that are not legal entities capable of entering into binding agreements.
- Applicants who do not consent to share a summary of their proposal with other government bodies.
- Entities with unpaid debts to the Government of Canada that have not been disclosed or resolved.
- Organizations failing to comply with the M-30 Act (for Quebec-based applicants only).
Eligible expenses
- Personnel salaries and benefits related to approved research activities.
- Purchase of equipment and materials required for research and development.
- Travel and accommodation expenses directly related to project execution.
- Costs associated with technology and knowledge transfer activities.
- Consulting and professional fees necessary for research or coordination.
- Costs linked to impact assessment, science coordination, and knowledge dissemination.
- In-kind contributions (up to 10% of total cost), when used as part of your cost-share.
Eligible geographic areas
- Organizations established in Canada
- Organizations based in Quebec (subject to compliance with the M-30 Law for Quebec applicants)
Selection criteria
- Scientific merit, including relevance, risk, feasibility, and impact of the research on the sector.
- Appropriateness of research methodology and experimental design, with peer review and response to feedback.
- Realistic timelines for achieving planned results.
- Organizational capacity, including technical, financial, and managerial abilities to manage research activities.
- Alignment with program funding principles: strategic value to Canada, whole value chain approach, measurable expected impacts, knowledge transfer, and quality of collaboration, diversity, and inclusion within the proposal.
How to apply
1
Review program details
- Review program objectives and components
- Assess funding options and cost-sharing requirements
- Understand eligible activities and costs
2
Check eligibility
- Verify eligibility as a not-for-profit organization
- Ensure activities align with priority areas
- Prepare to demonstrate legal capacity and willingness to share proposal summary
3
Prepare application materials
- Identify all sources of funding, including industry and other government support
- Compile required documentation and detailed budgets
- Ensure compliance with program, financial, and regulatory requirements, including Quebec's M-30 Act if applicable
4
Complete and assemble forms
- Request the application package from AAFC via the provided email
- Complete all required forms and gather necessary signatures
5
Submit application
- Submit your completed application package to AAFC by email
- Wait for acknowledgment notice confirming receipt
6
Await results
- Receive acknowledgment notice from AAFC
- Wait for approval or rejection within 100 business days
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
aafc.agriscienceprogram-programmeagri-science.aac@agr.gc.ca
1-877-246-4682
