AgriScience Program — Projects – Not-for-profit

Q: How much funding can be received?

AgriScience Program — Projects – Not-for-profit Funds up to 70% of admissible expenses.

Q: What is the deadline to apply?

The deadline to apply is 2028-03-31T23:59:59Z.

Q: Is the AgriScience Program — Projects – Not-for-profit a grant, loan, or tax credit?

AgriScience Program — Projects – Not-for-profit is a Grant and Funding

Q: Who are the financial supporters of the AgriScience Program — Projects – Not-for-profit?

AgriScience Program — Projects – Not-for-profit is funded by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), Government of Canada

Q: Who is eligible for the AgriScience Program — Projects – Not-for-profit program?

To be eligible for the AgriScience Program — Projects – Not-for-profit program, you must: • The applicant must be a registered not-for-profit organization. • The project proposed must be for pre-commercial science activities benefiting the agriculture sector.

Q: Who can I contact for more information about the AgriScience Program — Projects – Not-for-profit?

You can contact Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC).

Q: Where is the AgriScience Program — Projects – Not-for-profit available?

The AgriScience Program — Projects – Not-for-profit program is available across Canada.

Q: Are Indigenous Peoples eligible for the AgriScience Program — Projects – Not-for-profit program?

Yes, Indigenous Peoples are eligible to apply for the AgriScience Program — Projects – Not-for-profit program.

Last Update: July 22, 2025

Canada

Funding for pre-commercial agriculture and agri-food science

At a glance

Eligible Funding

Up to 70% of project cost

Timeline

Open Date : March 31, 2023
Closing date : March 31, 2028

Financing Type

Grant and Funding

Eligible Industries

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
Manufacturing
Professional, scientific and technical services

Funds Providers

Unspecified

Program status

Open

Overview

Your not-for-profit organization can get up to $5 million over 5 years to fund 70% of the cost of pre-commercial scientific research in priority areas.

Financing terms and conditions

This grant offers support through different financing mechanisms to promote agricultural innovation, aligning with the scope and objectives of eligible projects. The funding modalities are designed to foster collaboration while providing necessary financial resources.

Non-repayable contribution funding (Vote 10) available for research activities conducted by industry, requiring a contribution agreement with AAFC that includes expense reporting requirements.
Collaborative research and development support (Vote 1) for projects conducted by AAFC scientists, with financial support managed within AAFC through a Collaborative Research and Development Agreement (CRDA).
Maximum funding of $5 million available per single project over the program's duration, with a total funding cap of $10 million for all projects under the projects component.
Cost-sharing arrangements stipulate a maximum of 50% contribution from AAFC for most priority areas, or up to 70% for specific activities focused on greenhouse gas reduction and carbon sequestration.
Indigenous applicants may be eligible for higher cost-share ratios.

Activities funded

The AgriScience Program funds projects that promote innovation and support pre-commercial science activities in the agriculture and agri-food sector. It includes collaborative projects involving industry, government, and academia to address national priorities.

Pre-commercial scientific research projects that benefit the agriculture and agri-food sector.
Projects focusing on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing carbon sequestration.
Collaborative projects addressing priority themes in agriculture.
Innovative research initiatives led by industry with AAFC scientist collaboration.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 350,000

Developing a sustainable method for urban farming

$ 665,000

Innovative strategies for waste management

$ 630,000

Developing a new plant-based protein extraction process

$ 420,000

Research on new pest-resistant crop strains

$ 560,000

Enhancing renewable energy storage solutions

$ 490,000

Improving coastal erosion management strategies

Eligibility

Eligibility for the AgriScience Program is determined by specific requirements related to the applicant's profile and project focus.

Applicants can include various organizations, but specific eligibility details are not explicitly provided in the context.
Cost-sharing capabilities must align with program stipulations, such as AAFC funding a maximum of 50% or 70% for eligible costs based on the type of applicant and project focus.
Indigenous applicants may be eligible for increased cost-share ratios.
Collaboration with AAFC scientists can be part of the application (Vote 1), which requires entering into a Collaborative Research and Development Agreement (CRDA) with AAFC.
Applicants must be able to enter into contribution and collaborative agreements specifying reporting and financial arrangements.

Who is eligible?

This program is targeted towards organizations and entities in the agriculture and agri-food sector in Canada interested in pre-commercial science activities and research. Eligible applicants include:- Canadian not-for-profit organizations involved in agriculture and agri-food research.- Industry groups or associations related to agriculture and agribusiness.- Academic institutions and universities with a strong emphasis on agricultural research.- Indigenous groups or organizations interested in agricultural innovation and research partnerships.- Private sector companies engaged in agriculture-related research activities, particularly those aligned with the program's objectives of addressing national themes and horizontal issues.

Who is not eligible

There are specific types of companies that are not eligible for this grant.

For-profit organizations
Foreign entities

Eligible expenses

The AgriScience Program under the Sustainable CAP is focused on enhancing agricultural innovation through scientific research. Eligible activities for funding include projects under two main components and various priority areas targeting pre-commercial science initiatives that support industry-aligned agricultural advancements.

Pre-commercial science activities supporting the agriculture and agri-food sector.
Research projects addressing national agricultural themes and horizontal issues.
Collaborations between industry, government, and academia to advance agricultural innovation.

Selection criteria

Here are the evaluation and selection criteria for this grant:

Alignment with program objectives
Demonstrated need and expected results
Capacity to deliver
Cost-effectiveness and value for money
Risk and mitigation strategies
Commitment to sustainable outcomes
Collaboration and partnerships

How to apply

Access the application portal provided by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC).
Ensure you have all necessary documentation ready as per the program requirements.
Consult the application guide provided for specific instructions and details required for submission.

Complete the application and apply

Fill in the application forms accurately including sections related to project description, budget, and timelines.
Attach all required supporting documents, such as research plans, timelines, and budget outlines.
Submit the completed application through the AAFC's online system.
Ensure submission is before any deadlines or until the funding has been fully committed.

After you apply

Await confirmation of receipt of your application from AAFC.
Monitor any communications from AAFC for feedback or requests for additional information.

Additional information

Here are additional relevant details for this grant:

The maximum funding for any single project is $5 million over the 2023 to 2028 period, with a total cap of $10 million for the Projects Component.
Funding supports pre-commercial science activities and research specifically beneficial to the Canadian agriculture and agri-food sector.
Collaborative support involves entering into a Collaborative Research and Development Agreement (CRDA) with AAFC, specifying milestones and licensing options.
Cost-sharing details differ, with special provisions for not-for-profits focused on greenhouse gas reduction, where AAFC covers up to 70%.
The program emphasizes partnerships between industry, government, and academia.
Indigenous applicants may be eligible for increased cost-share ratios and are encouraged to seek further details from the program.

Documents and links

AgriScience Program — Projects – Not-for-profit

Apply to this program

Frequently Asked Questions about the AgriScience Program — Projects – Not-for-profit Program

Here are answers to the most common questions about the AgriScience Program — Projects – Not-for-profit. This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.