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Emerging Opportunities Program
Last Update: March 4, 2026
Alberta, Canada
Supports innovation and growth in Alberta’s value-added agriculture sector
Grant and Funding
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.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
Integrate new technologies
Develop strategic partnerships
Optimize production processes
See more
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 1,000,000 $
- Minimum amount : 2,000,000 $
- Up to 25% of project cost
Timeline
- Unspecified
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Manufacturing
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
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.
Examples of admissible projects:
$ 1,000,000
Expanding meat processing capacity with new cutting-edge technology
$ 1,000,000
Launching an advanced biofuel production facility
$ 1,000,000
Establishing a plant-based protein processing facility
$ 1,000,000
Development of a collaborative grain storage facility
$ 1,000,000
Expanding organic vegetable processing facility to increase export capacity
$ 1,000,000
Developing a market access initiative for pulse crops
Eligibility
- The applicant must be registered and operating in Alberta, or demonstrate the intention to operate in Alberta and achieve project outcomes by March 31, 2028.
- The applicant must be in good standing with applicable legislation.
- The applicant must be an agriculture or bio-industrial processor, or an industry organization.
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
1
Contact the Program
- Reach out to the Emerging Opportunities Program team via phone or email to discuss your project and its alignment with program objectives.
- Ensure your project meets the eligibility and assessment criteria prior to proceeding.
2
Submission of Letter of Request
- If your project is deemed a fit, prepare and submit a Letter of Request as invited by the program.
- Include core details of the project such as innovation aspects, expected impact, and project costs.
3
Program Review
- The program area will review your submission based on alignment with assessment criteria.
- Recommendations will be prepared for the Minister based on project alignment and available funding.
4
Awaiting Decision
Wait for a formal communication from the program regarding the decision on your application.
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
agribusiness.grants@gov.ab.ca
403-742-7901
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Frequently Asked Questions about the Emerging Opportunities Program Program
Here are answers to the most common questions about the Emerging Opportunities Program. 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.
What is the Emerging Opportunities Program?
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