How much funding can be received?

The Irrigation Targeted Call for Proposals aims to support research in Alberta that enhances irrigation efficiency, improves livestock and crop productivity, and promotes environmental stewardship. The program invites eligible applicants, including marketing boards, educational institutions, and for-profit companies, to submit projects that demonstrate economic benefit, technological advancement, and sustainability within the province's agriculture sector. Projects should focus on activities such as developing new irrigation technologies, improving crop management, and ensuring responsible water use.

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Yes, there are several eligible projects and activities for this grant.

Increased yield, quality, and efficiency of nutrient and water use for irrigated forages.
Best management practices for feedlot water reservoirs to maintain animal health.
Development of new marketable crops with irrigated production and value-added potential.
Genetic improvement for yield, quality, and water use efficiency of irrigated crops.
Agronomic studies and analyses for irrigated crops, including pest control.
Adaptation of new cropping options for irrigation to diversify crop rotations.
Forecasting and modelling for future water storage needs.
Predictive analysis for optimal water application timing.
Development and demonstration of products and technology to increase water use efficiency and farm profitability.
Adaptation of surface and subsurface drip irrigation systems.
Variable rate irrigation technology and decision support systems.
Invasive algae control strategies within irrigation infrastructure.
Improvements in filtration technology for managing algae and silt.
Use of sensor data for predictive modelling to manage water allocation.
Artificial intelligence and machine learning to drive best water management practices.
Evaluation of economic and environmental impacts of invasive species.
Evaluation of alternative energy sources for irrigation.
Strategies for sustainable management of invasive species and weeds within irrigation infrastructure.

grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample

$400,000

Calgary

Developing AI-driven irrigation systems to optimize water use in Calgary.

$250,000

Edmonton

Implementing variable rate irrigation technology in Edmonton to enhance crop yield.

$200,000

Lethbridge

Adaptation of surface drip irrigation systems for organic farms in Lethbridge.

$300,000

Red Deer

Evaluating economic impacts of invasive species on irrigation systems in Red Deer.

$230,000

Medicine Hat

Best management practices for feedlot water reservoirs to maintain animal health in Medicine Hat.

$320,000

Grande Prairie

Developing new marketable crops with irrigated production potential in Grande Prairie.

grant_single_labels|admissibility

The grant is open to qualified applicants from or under contract with organizations involved in Alberta's livestock or crop industry, provided they are in good standing with RDAR. Eligible applicants range from marketing boards to for-profit companies operating in Alberta and contributing to research benefitting Alberta's producers.

Marketing boards and commissions established under the Marketing of Agriculture Products Act
Educational institutions, including universities, colleges, and technical schools
Government organizations and agencies
Incorporated not-for-profit agricultural associations representing Alberta's agriculture producers
For-profit companies operating in Alberta and contributing to research benefitting Alberta's crop and livestock producers

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Eligible applicants for the Irrigation Targeted Call for Proposals include a variety of organizations that directly or indirectly participate in Alberta's livestock or crop industry. The research must benefit Alberta's producers, and at least one team member should be based in Alberta.

Marketing boards and commissions established under the Marketing of Agricultural Products Act
Educational institutions, including universities, colleges, and technical schools
Government organizations and agencies
Incorporated not-for-profit agricultural associations representing Alberta's agriculture producers
For-profit companies operating in Alberta and contributing to research benefitting Alberta's crop and livestock producers

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Yes, there are eligible expenses for this grant which include costs directly related to the project's execution, as well as a portion of indirect overhead expenses.

Directly related project execution expenses
15% of indirect overhead expenses

grant_eligibility_criteria|zone

The research may occur within or outside Alberta as long as at least one team member is in Alberta, and benefits will be returned to Alberta's producers.

Research can be conducted within Alberta
Research can be conducted outside Alberta
At least one team member must reside in Alberta
Benefits must be returned to Alberta's producers

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The grant proposals for the Irrigation Targeted Call will be evaluated based on their alignment with program priorities, measurable impact, project uniqueness, achievable timelines, adoption potential, and budget justification. Projects must demonstrate a clear extension plan to ensure that research results reach the intended beneficiaries.

Alignment to priorities and benefits outlined in the priorities.
Projects demonstrate measurable, reportable, and verifiable impact on the target producer group.
The uniqueness of the project relative to other irrigation projects underway.
Project timelines are achievable and appropriate.
Adoption/commercialization potential of the project's result.
Budget items are clear and justified.

grant_single_labels|register

Step 1: Submit a Letter of Intent in ARGO
ARGO (Agriculture Research Grant Organizer), is RDAR’s grant management system. To apply to the Targeted Call for Irrigation Program in ARGO, select ‘Targeted Call for Irrigation’.
Step 2: Await review process results
Applications completed to the satisfaction of RDAR will be considered for approval on a case-by-case basis subject to the Program eligibility criteria, assessment criteria, and funding constraints.

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Applicants will be required to submit detailed interim reports and financial statements, as well as a final report and financial statements. Funding from RDAR must be acknowledged on appropriate signs, posters, and publications dealing with the project.

Applicants must submit reports online through ARGO at rdar.smartsimple.ca.
RDAR's name and logo must comply with their Grant Communications Guide.
Successful projects can receive funding up to $500,000 for capital expenses.

grant_single_labels|contact

research@rdar.ca

Apply to this program

Irrigation Targeted Call for Proposals

The Irrigation Targeted Call for Proposals from Alberta invites researchers to conduct research that enhances productivity, efficiency, and environmental stewardship in the irrigation sector. This initiative supports Alberta’s livestock and crop sectors by improving irrigation practices, technology, and sustainability.

Everything You Need to Know About the Irrigation Targeted Call for Proposals

The agriculture sector in Alberta is pivotal to the province's economy, contributing significantly to its GDP and supporting thousands of jobs. Irrigation is a critical component of this sector, enhancing productivity and sustainability. The Irrigation Targeted Call for Proposals is an initiative designed to bolster research in irrigation, addressing key areas that can drive growth and improvement in Alberta’s irrigation practices. This comprehensive guide provides detailed insight into the grant, including its purpose, priorities, eligibility, funding, and application process.

Purpose of the Grant

The primary objective of this grant is to stimulate research that can lead to tangible improvements in the irrigation sector. According to the 2021 study by Alberta's Irrigation District Association (AIDA), irrigated lands contributed $5.4 billion to Alberta's GDP and provided 46,000 full-time equivalent jobs. Recognizing the economic and social significance of irrigation, nearly a billion dollars have been allocated to upgrade infrastructure and increase water storage capacity in Southern Alberta. This funding includes a substantial contribution from the provincial government.

By leveraging this grant, researchers can help producers within the sector adopt new technologies and practices that promise a positive return on investment. The entire value chain—from producers to multi-national companies—stands to benefit from the outcomes of these research projects, which aim to ensure better products, access to quality water supplies, and enhanced public perception of the sector.

Program Priorities

The grant program invites eligible applicants to submit Letters of Intent (LOIs) for research projects that align with the following priorities:

Productivity

Support a growing livestock sector: Focus on increasing yield, quality, and efficiency of nutrient and water use for irrigated forages to support the cattle feeding industry, maintaining water quality in feedlot water reservoirs, and capturing runoff from feedlots for reuse in irrigation if economically viable.
Crop production: Develop or improve practices for new marketable crops with value-added potential in Alberta, continued genetic improvement for irrigated crops, agronomic studies, pest control, and adaptation of new cropping options for diversified crop rotations.

Increased Efficiency

Technology and product availability: Develop, test, and demonstrate products and technology aimed at increasing water use efficiency and farm profitability, such as surface and subsurface drip systems, variable rate irrigation technology, invasive algae control strategies, filtration technologies, and using sensor data for predictive modelling.

Environmental Stewardship

Sustainability: Evaluate the economic and environmental impacts of invasive species, explore alternative energy sources for irrigation, manage water supply variability, and find strategies for sustainable management and control of infrastructure-related invasive species and weeds.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligible applicants are those involved directly or indirectly in the Alberta livestock or crop industry. These include:

Marketing boards and commissions established under the Marketing of Agricultural Products Act
Educational institutions, such as universities, colleges, and technical schools
Government organizations and agencies
Incorporated not-for-profit agricultural associations representing Alberta's producers
For-profit companies operating in Alberta, contributing to research benefitting Alberta's crop and livestock producers

Even if the research occurs outside Alberta, it must involve at least one team member from Alberta, and the benefits must return to Alberta’s producers.

Activities that are ineligible for funding include the commercialization of new technologies beyond pilot studies, marketing activities, and private research and development activities.

Funding Considerations

Eligible project expenses are those directly related to the execution of the project, including up to 15% of indirect overhead expenses. Ineligible expenses encompass taxes, costs incurred outside the project's timelines, and ongoing operational costs.

Applicants are encouraged to obtain additional funding from other sources. Eligible non-capital expenses will be cost-shared:

At 60% grant and 40% eligible applicant for post-secondary institutions or for-profit legal entities.
At 80% grant and 20% eligible applicant for other entities.

Minor equipment expenses are shared at 25% grant and 75% eligible applicant. Depending on the project, there is potential funding up to $500,000 in capital expenses on a similar cost-shared basis.

Application Process

The application process begins with the submission of a Letter of Intent (LOI) via ARGO (Agriculture Research Grant Organizer). The important dates for submission are:

LOIs open: June 6, 2024
LOIs close (intake 1): July 15, 2024
LOIs close (intake 2): August 15, 2024

Applicants whose LOIs are accepted will be invited to submit a full proposal, which will then be evaluated based on alignment with priorities, measurable impact, uniqueness, achievable timelines, adoption potential, and budget clarity.

Each project must have a clear research extension component, demonstrating how the results will be shared with the beneficiaries, ensuring the research reaches producers and value chain partners.

Reporting Requirements

Applicants are required to submit detailed interim reports and financial statements during the project's execution. A final report and financial statements must also be submitted upon project completion via ARGO, in accordance with the project's grant agreement terms and conditions.

Funding from RDAR must be acknowledged appropriately on signs, stickers, posters, publications, and press releases related to the project. RDAR's name and logo must comply with their Grant Communications Guide.

Conclusion

The Irrigation Targeted Call for Proposals offers an excellent opportunity for researchers to make significant contributions to Alberta's irrigation sector. By aligning with the program's priorities and adhering to the application and reporting requirements, applicants can secure funding to support innovative and impactful research. This grant not only aims to boost productivity and efficiency but also ensures that environmental stewardship remains a key component of irrigation practices in Alberta.

For assistance with the application process or any inquiries regarding the targeted call, applicants are encouraged to contact RDAR at research@rdar.ca.

RDAR — Irrigation Targeted Call

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