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AgriScience Program — Projects — for-profit organizations

Pre-commercial agri R&D support for companies

Offered by
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC)
Official source: agriculture.canada.ca

Source change captured

Funding available
$ 10,000,000
Up to 50% of project cost
Deadline
Unspecified
Location
Canada
Who can apply
For-profit organizations
See full eligibility

Overview

AgriScience Program – Projects supports for-profit organizations in Canada with funding of up to $5 million per project and $10 million per applicant over 2023 to 2028 to advance pre-commercial applied science and research and development for agriculture and agri-food. Eligible work includes applied research, development, and technology transfer, plus salaries, contracted services, and travel.

At a glance

Funding available

Maximum funding
$10,000,000
Maximum share of project costs
50%
Financing goals
  • Increase performance through digital transformation
  • Develop strategic partnerships
  • Develop a new product or service
  • Conduct research and development activities
  • Optimize production processes
  • Reduce environmental footprint
  • Conduct research or evaluation activities

Eligible candidates

Location
  • Canada
Eligible Industries
All industries
Annual revenue
All revenue ranges
Organisation size
All organization sizes
Audience
  • Indigenous Peoples
Legal structures
For-profit business, Non-profit
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
Research, Environment, Economic, Social and Community Development
Target groups
Indigenous peoples, Business owners / entrepreneurs, Academia / students
Scope
National

Start applying for this program

Take a practical assessment to gain a clear understanding of how well this program aligns with your specific needs and long-term goals.

Availability timeline

2026
Periods: 1

Latest changes

Agri-science evaluation criteria updated

The Agri-science projects guidance page for Step 3 now shows detailed scoring tables and revised selection priorities for proposals.

See more

The Step 3 guidance for Programme Agri-science – projects now replaces the earlier narrative evaluation text with detailed scoring tables. The updated criteria place clearer emphasis on scientific methodology, timelines and milestones, budget, expertise and capacity, innovation, sector or industry alignment, performance measures, knowledge and technology transfer, partnerships, and diversity, equity and inclusion. The financing-priority guidance also now states that priority is given to proposals that meet or exceed the outlined evaluation expectations and that are closely linked to the program objectives with broad, clear benefits for the sector.

Official source: agriculture.canada.ca
August 13, 2026

Eligibility

Who is eligible?

  • For-profit organizations
  • Not-for-profit organizations
  • Indigenous individuals and organizations

Who is not eligible

  • Sole proprietorships
  • Academic institutions cannot apply directly for funding

Eligible expenses

  • Salaries and benefits
  • Contracted services
  • Travel
  • Capital expenditures
  • Other direct project costs

Ineligible Costs and Activities

  • Regular and routine monitoring for pests and diseases

Eligible geographic areas

  • Alberta; British Columbia; Manitoba; New Brunswick; Newfoundland and Labrador; Northwest Territories; Nova Scotia; Nunavut; Ontario; Prince Edward Island; Quebec; Saskatchewan; Yukon

Activities funded

  • Pre-commercial applied science and research and development activities
  • Applied research, development, and technology and knowledge transfer
  • Activities in support of Indigenous groups to conduct research and share new and traditional scientific knowledge

How to apply

  • Complete the Project Summary Form to help the program determine whether the project is eligible and aligned with its criteria and priorities.
  • Download the Project Summary Form, open and complete it, save it, and email the completed form to the program.
  • If the project is deemed eligible, you may be invited to submit a full application with attachments.
  • Complete the application form and its required tabs for the Stage 2 application package.

Documents Needed

  • Project Summary Form
  • High-level budget in a separate document
  • Completed application form and executive summary
  • Certificate or Articles of Incorporation, or for Indigenous applicants a Band Council Resolution, Tribal Council Resolution, Director's Resolution, or another legal document stating they are a legal entity
  • Last 2 years' financial statements, letters of financial support, Capital Asset Pre-approval, and a completed Performance Measures Table; letters of acknowledgement and project endorsement or support letters may also be requested

Selection criteria

  • First-time program applicants are prioritized in the review process.
  • Applications are assessed on science methodology, timelines and milestones, budget, expertise and capacity, and financial capacity.
  • Innovation is assessed based on novelty and sector impact.
  • Applications are assessed on alignment with industry or sector need and the program's priority areas, along with the strength of performance measures and knowledge and technology transfer.
  • Collaboration and partnerships across the value chain, as well as diversity, equity and inclusion, are also assessed.

Processing and Agreement

  • Your full application is considered submitted once you receive the acknowledgement notice for Stage 2.
  • The program verifies that the application is complete and may contact you for required information if it is incomplete.
  • The application is assessed against the principles and criteria of the program by AAFC program administrators and other technical reviewers.
  • If approved, you receive a written decision letter outlining the funding level and any applicable conditions, and you work with a program officer to negotiate the contribution agreement and/or Collaborative Research and Development Agreement.
  • No reimbursement can be made until a contribution agreement is signed, and approved recipients must provide progress, performance, financial, and other requested reports.

Additional information

  • The program remains open for applications until funding is fully committed or the intake period is officially closed.
  • Program funding and support are intended for pre-commercial science activities and research.
  • The program operates under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership and ends on March 31, 2028.
  • Indigenous applicants may qualify for enhanced cost-sharing options and are encouraged to reach out for details.

Contacts

aafc.agriscienceprogram-programmeagri-science.aac@agr.gc.ca
1-877-246-4682

Official sources

Agri Science Program - Projects: 1. What this program offers

Program guide

Agri Science Program - Projects: 2. EligibilityAgri Science Program - Projects: 3. Before you applyAgri Science Program - Projects: 4. How to apply

Application form

Agri Science Program - Projects: 5. Complete the application and apply
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Frequently Asked Questions about the AgriScience Program — Projects — for-profit organizations Program

What is the AgriScience Program — Projects — for-profit organizations?

AgriScience Program – Projects supports for-profit organizations in Canada with funding of up to $5 million per project and $10 million per applicant over 2023 to 2028 to advance pre-commercial applied science and research and development for agriculture and agri-food. Eligible work includes applied research, development, and technology transfer, plus salaries, contracted services, and travel.

How much funding can be received?

AgriScience Program — Projects — for-profit organizations Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses, capped at $10,000,000 per project.

What is the deadline to apply?

The program is accepting continuous intake

Who is eligible for the AgriScience Program — Projects — for-profit organizations program?

To be eligible for the AgriScience Program — Projects — for-profit organizations program, you must: The project must align with at least one of the program's 3 priority areas. The project must typically fall within technology readiness levels 4 to 7. The project must support pre-commercial applied science and research and development.

What expenses are eligible under AgriScience Program — Projects — for-profit organizations?

Salaries and benefits Contracted services Travel Capital expenditures Other direct project costs

Who can I contact for more information about the AgriScience Program — Projects — for-profit organizations?

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 — Projects — for-profit organizations available?

The AgriScience Program — Projects — for-profit organizations program is available across Canada.