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Source verified May 1, 2026
Emerging Opportunities Program
Supports innovation and growth in Alberta’s value-added agriculture sector
Funding available
$ 2,000,000
Deadline
Open continuously
Location
Alberta, Canada
Overview
The Emerging Opportunities Program provides up to $1,000,000 per fiscal year (to a maximum of $2,000,000 per project) to support innovation and significant growth in Alberta’s value-added agriculture sector. Eligible activities include investments in new processing technologies, capacity expansions, market access initiatives, and collaborative sector growth projects.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase performance through digital transformation
- Increase production or service capacity
- Develop strategic partnerships
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 2,000,000 $
- Up to 25% of project cost
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Alberta
Legal structures
- Non-profit
- Public or Parapublic institution
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
- Rural or Northern Residents
- Canadians
- Startups
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Economic, Social and Community Development
- Business Associations
Target groups
- Indigenous peoples
- Business owners / entrepreneurs
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- Provincial
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Construction of new processing facilities and significant expansions that increase processing capacity in Alberta.
- Initiatives exploring market opportunities and directly addressing barriers to export and new market access.
- Projects that promote collaboration among companies to support growth of the sector.
- Any additional activities deemed eligible by the Minister that support emerging opportunities in Alberta's value-added agriculture sector.
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Agriculture processors
- Bio-industrial processors
- Industry organizations related to agriculture or bio-industrial sectors
- Indigenous businesses in the agriculture and food sector
Who is not eligible
- Companies that are not registered and not operating in Alberta, or unable to prove they will operate in Alberta by the required date.
- Businesses that are not agriculture or bio-industrial processors, or industry organizations.
- Applicants who intend to apply to more than one Alberta Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP) program for the same project expenses.
Eligible expenses
- Capital expenses for equipment and engineering related to new processing facilities.
- Capital expenses for significant expansion projects that increase processing capacity.
- Non-capital expenses for initiatives addressing export and new market access barriers.
- Non-capital expenses for activities promoting industry collaboration for sector growth.
Eligible geographic areas
- Companies registered and operating in Alberta
Selection criteria
- Alignment of the project with the program’s objectives and assessment criteria.
- Significant company growth and sector impact resulting from the project.
- Inclusion of innovation within the project, such as new technologies or best new practices.
- Availability of funding for the proposed project.
How to apply
- Step 1: Initial Contact
- Contact the Emerging Opportunities Program team directly to discuss your project and determine if it aligns with the program objectives and eligibility criteria.
- Step 2: Invitation to Apply
- If your project is deemed a fit, receive an invitation from the program to submit a Letter of Request.
- Step 3: Submit Letter of Request
- Prepare and submit a Letter of Request as instructed by the program area.
- Step 4: Project Assessment
- The program area evaluates your proposal based on assessment criteria and available funding.
- Recommendations are prepared and submitted to the Minister for final consideration.
- Step 5: Notification and Follow-Up
- Await notification regarding the outcome of your application.
- If requested, provide any additional documentation or clarifications to the program area.
Additional information
- Grant payments are structured according to a Reporting and Payment Schedule, with payments typically made after grant execution, upon approval of status reports, and after final report approval.
- The grant program does not allow the same expenses to be claimed under multiple Alberta Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership programs.
- Personal information provided during the application process may be disclosed to the Federal Government for program administration and evaluation.
- Industry organizations are not subject to a minimum total project investment value to participate.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Emerging Opportunities Program Program
What is the Emerging Opportunities Program?
The Emerging Opportunities Program provides up to $1,000,000 per fiscal year (to a maximum of $2,000,000 per project) to support innovation and significant growth in Alberta’s value-added agriculture sector. Eligible activities include investments in new processing technologies, capacity expansions, market access initiatives, and collaborative sector growth projects.
How much funding can be received?
Emerging Opportunities Program Funds up to 25% of admissible expenses, capped at $2,000,000 per project.
Who is eligible for the Emerging Opportunities Program program?
To be eligible for the Emerging Opportunities Program program, you must:
Registered and operating in Alberta, or able to prove operations in Alberta by March 31, 2028
In good standing with applicable legislation
An agriculture or bio-industrial processor, or an industry organization
What expenses are eligible under Emerging Opportunities Program?
Construction of new processing facilities and significant expansions that increase processing capacity in Alberta.
Initiatives exploring market opportunities and directly addressing barriers to export and new market access.
Projects that promote collaboration among companies to support growth of the sector.
Any additional activities deemed eligible by the Minister that support emerging opportunities in Alberta's value-added agriculture sector.
Who can I contact for more information about the Emerging Opportunities Program?
You can contact Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (SCAP) by email at agribusiness.grants@gov.ab.ca or by phone at 403-742-7901.
Where is the Emerging Opportunities Program available?
The Emerging Opportunities Program program is available the province of Alberta.
Is the Emerging Opportunities Program a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Emerging Opportunities Program is a Grant and Funding