Nova Scotia Seafood and Agriculture Strategic Investment Fund

• Funding assistance is available for up to 75% of total project costs.
• Projects are typically larger scale with estimated total costs between $750,000 and $1.5 million, though projects between $500,000 and $750,000 may also be eligible.
• Approval of the funding amount is determined on a project-by-project basis and may be limited at Perennia's discretion.
• Costs incurred prior to the date identified in the Letter of Agreement are not eligible for funding.

• The applicant must be a registered business or commercial Indigenous entity operating in Nova Scotia with a primary focus on agriculture, agri-food processing, primary or secondary seafood processing, aquaculture, seafood or marine plant harvesting, or licensed live lobster holding facilities.
• Alternatively, the applicant can be a not-for-profit industry association or organization based in Nova Scotia representing the interests of the agriculture, fisheries, food processing, or aquaculture sectors.
• The applicant must be at least 19 years of age and able to sign a legally binding contract.
• The applicant must have the authority to enter into an agreement and be in good standing with the Registry of Joint Stocks and relevant sector authorities.
• The project must demonstrate innovation or a unique solution to sector challenges, with measurable economic benefits and a knowledge-sharing component.

Who is eligible?

• Registered businesses with a primary focus on agriculture
• Registered businesses involved in agri-food processing
• Registered businesses engaged in primary and/or secondary processing of seafood products
• Registered businesses in aquaculture (land-based or marine)
• Not-for-profit industry associations/organizations representing agriculture, fisheries, food processing, and aquaculture sectors based in Nova Scotia

Who is not eligible

• Companies with cannabis-related projects.
• Businesses not in good standing with required regulatory bodies.
• Organizations without the required permits, leases, or licenses for fisheries and aquaculture operations in Nova Scotia.

Eligible expenses

• Purchase of equipment
• Professional equipment installation and shipping costs
• Consultant fees
• Acquisition of new software
• Construction costs, assessed on a case-by-case basis

Eligible geographic areas

• Nova Scotia

• Project concept (20 points) – clarity and relevance of the project overview, addressing a specific challenge or opportunity.
• Degree of potential impact (40 points) – potential to increase competitiveness, efficiency, and profitability for the applicant or for the seafood, agriculture, or processing sectors in Nova Scotia.
• Level of innovation (30 points) – introduction of technologies or practices that are new to Nova Scotia and that address an identified industry need without an existing solution.
• Organizational capacity (10 points) – demonstrated ability and resources to successfully complete the project.
• Effective knowledge transfer plan (10 points) – quality and reach of the proposed outreach or information-sharing component to support knowledge transfer within the industry.

• Applicants must submit their most recent audited financial statements or Notice to Reader financial statements with the Expression of Interest.
• Projects must include a knowledge transfer or outreach component, such as an open house or demonstration session, to share information with the industry.
• Applicants may be contacted periodically by program officers during the activity period and may be invited to participate in photo or video documentation of their project.
• If a project cannot be completed by the stated deadline, no funding will be awarded.