RDAR — Agriculture Funding Consortium (AFC)
Last Update: January 24, 2025
AB, Canada
The Agriculture Funding Consortium (AFC) provides coordinated funding for agriculture and food research and innovation projects in Alberta.
RDAR — Agriculture Funding Consortium (AFC) at a glance
Eligible Funding
- Up to 10% of project cost
Timeline
- Open Date : June 4, 2024
- Closing date : July 31, 2024
Financing Type
Grant and Funding
Eligible Industries
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Manufacturing
Grant Providers
- Results Driven Agriculture Research (RDAR)
Status
Closed
Overview of the RDAR — Agriculture Funding Consortium (AFC) program
The Agriculture Funding Consortium (AFC) aims to facilitate a collaborative approach in funding agriculture and food research and innovation projects in Alberta. Eligible activities include projects undertaken by provincial and federal governments, non-profit research institutions, academic entities, and industry associations aiming to enhance value and sales of Alberta products. Submission entails a two-stage process, beginning with a Letter of Intent followed by a full proposal if shortlisted.
Financing terms and conditions
This grant offers support for research and innovation projects aimed at promoting sustainable and diversified growth in the agriculture and food industry in Western Canada. However, the specific financing modalities associated with this grant are not detailed in the provided information.
Eligible projects & activities
Examples of admissible projects:
$ 500,000
Establishing an advanced greenhouse research facility
$ 250,000
Expansion of an organic food processing unit
$ 170,000
Implementing a precision agriculture project to optimize crop yields in Alberta
$ 140,000
Developing a sustainable irrigation system using advanced sensors for Alberta farms
Eligibility criteria of the RDAR — Agriculture Funding Consortium (AFC) program
The eligibility criteria for this grant require applicants to be from specific types of organizations or be engaged in activities relevant to the funders' priorities. Additionally, transparency about funding from other sources is crucial.
- Provincial governments and their public agencies
- Federal government and federal crown corporations
- Non-profit research institutions
- Academic institutions, including universities, colleges, and technical schools
- Industry associations serving the agriculture, food, and beverage industry
- Existing or prospective companies and supply chain partners that can increase the value and sales of Alberta products
- Other research institutions, firms, or enterprises approved by the members of the AFC
Who is eligible?
Potential applicants eligible for the AFC grants typically include organizations involved in the agricultural sector in Western Canada. This includes:1. Research institutions: Including universities and colleges that conduct agricultural research.2. Private sector companies: Particularly those engaged in agricultural production, technology, or related sectors that contribute to sustainability and diversification.3. Non-profit organizations: Focusing on agricultural development and associated innovation.4. Public sector bodies: Involved in agricultural research and innovation efforts.5. Individual researchers: Conducting studies aligned with AFC's priorities on sustainability and growth.Applicants must align their proposals with AFC's research priorities and demonstrate their impact on sustainability, diversification, and growth in the agriculture and food industry.
Eligible expenses
This grant encourages initiatives that advance the agriculture and food industry through research and innovation, focusing on sustainability and diversification. The activities aim to foster private and public sector collaboration to support long-term growth in western Canada.
- Research projects targeting sustainable agricultural practices.
- Innovative approaches for diversifying crop and livestock production.
- Development of technologies that enhance food safety and security.
- Initiatives that promote efficient water and resource management.
- Collaborative projects between private and public sectors to strengthen the agricultural ecosystem.
Eligible geographic areas
This grant is targeted towards supporting agricultural innovation and sustainability within Western Canada. The funding body's regional focus suggests eligibility is restricted to entities in this area.
- Companies and organizations located within Western Canada.
Eligibility criteria of the RDAR — Agriculture Funding Consortium (AFC) program
Yes, there are evaluation and selection criteria for the grant. The proposals will be evaluated based on factors including relevance to the agricultural and agri-food industry, scientific merit, innovation, team competence, and feasibility.
- Expected significance, relevance, and benefit or impact to the agricultural and agri-food industry
- Developmental or scientific merit of the proposal
- Innovation and uniqueness
- Competence of the research team
- Appropriateness of the size, duration, and cost of the proposal
- Feasibility
- Budget requested
- Effectiveness of a proposed knowledge dissemination, technology transfer, or commercialization plan
How to apply to the RDAR — Agriculture Funding Consortium (AFC) program
1
Review Research Priorities
- Visit the AFC website to review the current year’s research priorities and focus areas.
- Ensure your project aligns with the specified priorities and objectives.
2
Prepare Letter of Intent (LOI)
- Draft a concise LOI detailing the conceptual framework, significance, and objectives of your research.
- Include preliminary data or hypotheses to support your approach.
- Adhere to any formatting and submission guidelines provided by AFC.
3
Submit LOI
- Submit your LOI by logging into the AFC online portal or following any specified submission process by the deadline April 15, 2024.
- Ensure receipt of a confirmation email or submission acknowledgment.
4
Await Invitation for Full Proposal
Wait for the AFC to review your LOI. Selected applicants will be invited to submit a full proposal by June 4, 2024.
5
Develop Full Proposal
- Upon receiving an invitation, prepare a comprehensive full proposal that includes detailed methodology, expected outcomes, and value to the agricultural sector.
- Prepare a detailed budget and project timeline.
- Include any additional documents or forms as specified by the AFC.
6
Submit Full Proposal
- Submit the completed full proposal through the AFC submission system by the deadline on July 31, 2024.
- Verify submission completion and confirmation.
7
Await Award Announcement
Await the outcome of the review process. Awards will be announced in Winter 2024/2025.
Additional information
The grant requires acknowledgment of funders in all related signage, publications, and press releases, and entails on-site inspections and audits by AFC members during project execution. Personal information shared through the proposal process is protected under FOIP and PIPA, with specific conditions of confidentiality and data sharing outlined.
- Acknowledgment of contributors is mandatory on all related signs, stickers, publications, and press releases.
- AFC members may conduct on-site inspections and audits during the project.
- Personal information in proposals is protected under FOIP and PIPA, with possible sharing for evaluation purposes.
- Proposals allow disclosure of the project title, applicant, funding requested, and summary for communication as public information.
- The AFC is a collaborative body without legal standing, comprising various organizations each with their own terms and priorities.
Contact Results Driven Agriculture Research (RDAR)
info@fundingconsortium.ca
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