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AgriScience Program – Clusters
Funding for agricultural research and innovation collaboration
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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.
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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
Availability timeline
2026
Periods: 1
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
Sources and recorded changes
- Source change captured
- Change recorded
- Record updated
A captured source change or record update does not confirm eligibility. Check the funder’s current rules before applying.
AgriScience Clusters application review updated
The application guidance now adds a detailed pre-application contact step, a structured seven-step review process, and expanded reviewer criteria.
The Before you apply guidance now asks applicants to contact the program before submitting and explains that staff can provide preliminary feedback, flag missing information, and help identify issues before a full application is filed. It also replaces the prior narrative assessment guidance with detailed reviewer tables covering science methodology, innovation, sector impact, funding principles, organizational capacity, and financial capacity. The After you apply page now lays out a seven-step submission and review process, including completeness checks, technical review, director-level review, DGIC review, the Minister’s final decision, and agreement finalization. It also adds that a complete application must include all required supporting documents and that missing documents may lead to the application being closed.
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
- Priority for funding and support is directed toward proposals that meet or exceed the expectations and assessment criteria.
- AAFC prioritizes projects that closely align with program objectives and demonstrate broad and clear benefits to the sector.
- Technical reviewers assess science methodology, timelines and milestones, budget, expertise and capacity, financial capacity, novelty, sector impact, alignment with industry and sector needs, program priorities, performance measures, knowledge and technology transfer, collaboration and partnerships, and diversity, equity and inclusion.
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
- After you submit your application, you’ll receive an acknowledgement notice, and the application is not considered submitted until that notice is received.
- The full application is reviewed for completeness; if information or documents are missing, you will be asked to provide them or submit a revised application, and the application may be closed if missing documents are not submitted by the requested date.
- Once complete, the application goes to technical review by four branches at AAFC.
- Directors from the four AAFC branches and the Director General Innovation Committee review the technical recommendations, and the DGIC provides a funding recommendation to the Minister.
- The Minister of AAFC makes the final funding decision, and approved applicants work with AAFC to finalize the funding agreement, including a Contribution Agreement and a Collaborative Research and Development Agreement.
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?
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%.
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)