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RDAR — Producer Research and Evaluation Program (PREP)
Last Update: March 4, 2026
Alberta, Canada
Supports Alberta producers conducting on-farm research and practice evaluation
Grant and Funding
Overview
The RDAR Producer Research and Evaluation Program (PREP) provides up to $20,000 per project to Alberta primary producers for on-farm research assessing whether a change in production practices is feasible and offers a positive return on investment. Eligible activities include conducting on-farm research trials, implementing in-field or livestock projects that compare new practices or technologies to current practices, and performing economic analyses of the tested approaches.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Integrate new technologies
- Research and experimental development
- Optimize production processes
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 20,000 $
- Up to 80% of project cost
Timeline
- Open continuously
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Alberta
Legal structures
- All legal structures
Annual revenue
- $ 25,000 minimum revenue
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Rural or Northern Residents
Activities funded
- On-farm research trials that compare a new or emerging production practice or technology to the current practice on a portion of land or herd.
- In-field pilot projects testing novel crop management approaches on up to 80 treatment acres within the same field.
- Livestock management trials where a new or innovative feeding regimen, health intervention, or grazing strategy is tested against existing practices.
- Structured experiments designed using the scientific method (including replication, randomization, and a control based on standard farm practice) to answer a defined research question.
- Economic evaluation of the tested practices to determine their impact on profitability and return on investment compared with current operations.
Examples of admissible projects:
$ 14,800
Evaluating the impact of biochar soil amendments on wheat productivity
$ 15,200
Testing organic pest control methods on apple orchards
$ 16,000
Evaluating the efficiency of drip irrigation on vegetable crops
$ 17,600
Assessing new hydroponic systems for leafy greens
$ 14,400
Trialing solar-powered fencing to enhance livestock management
$ 17,600
Testing automated milking systems for improved dairy efficiency
Eligibility
- The applicant must be a primary agricultural producer operating in Alberta.
- The applicant must be responsible for the input costs of a crop or livestock operation generating at least $25,000 in annual farm cash receipts.
- The applicant must manage and perform the day-to-day work on the farm (not just be a landowner/landlord).
- The project must involve on-farm research or evaluation of a new or emerging production practice, technology, or management approach compared to current practice.
- The project must be designed to collect measurable data and conduct analysis (including economic analysis) to assess the feasibility and impact of the practice change.
Who is eligible?
- Primary crop producers operating in Alberta
- Primary livestock producers operating in Alberta
- Organizations that directly participate in the service of the Alberta livestock industry (when under contract with eligible primary producers)
- Organizations that directly participate in the service of the Alberta crop industry (when under contract with eligible primary producers)
- Organizations involved in the development of the Alberta livestock or crop industry (when under contract with eligible primary producers)
Who is not eligible
- Landlords whose only involvement in a crop or livestock operation is ownership of the land, without responsibility for farm management or input costs.
- Organizations or entities that are not primary producers directly responsible for day-to-day management and input costs of an Alberta crop or livestock operation.
- Applicants whose farm operation does not generate at least $25,000 in annual farm cash receipts.
- Projects focused on capital investments or activities that are already funded or eligible under other specified Alberta agriculture programs (e.g., On-Farm Efficiency, Water Program, Resilient Agricultural Landscape Program, On-Farm Climate Action Fund), since these expenses are ineligible under PREP.
Eligible expenses
- Costs for sample collection, laboratory sample analysis, data analysis and economic analysis directly related to the project.
- Fees for third-party service providers such as agronomists, veterinarians, professional agrologists, certified crop advisors and technical consultants.
- Costs of materials, supplies and equipment rentals that are directly required for the project and go beyond normal production practices (up to a maximum of $10,000 per project).
Eligible geographic areas
- Primary producers operating in Alberta.
Selection criteria
- Alignment of the project with the purpose of the Producer Research and Evaluation Program and the broader Accelerating Agricultural Innovations 2.0 objectives.
- Clarity of the research question and the extent to which outcomes are measurable, reportable and verifiable for the applicant and other Alberta producers.
- Emergent and innovative nature of the project and its potential for broader adoption by other producers.
- Feasibility and appropriateness of the project timelines, including the opportunity to share results with other producers (e.g., field days, tours, presentations).
- Quality and clarity of the budget, including how well eligible expenses are outlined, justified and demonstrate cost-effective use of funds.
How to apply
1
Visit ARGO
- Go to the ARGO web page using your internet browser.
- Click the "Register" button if you are a new user.
2
Register for the PREP Program
Select the “Producer Research and Evaluation Program - PREP” registration option.
3
Fill out the PREP Contact Information Page
Add your corporation name (if applicable) in your contact information for proper documentation of receipts and invoices.
4
Verify Your ARGO Email and Password
- After receiving your ARGO login email, create a password for your account.
- Log in to your account and select “Funding Opportunities” at the top of the page.
- Select “Apply Now” for the “Producer Research and Evaluation Program - PREP” from the list and click “Proceed.”
5
Complete and Submit Your Application
- Complete the PREP application questions thoroughly.
- Submit your completed application via the ARGO system.
6
Confirmation of Submission
- Receive an automated confirmation email to verify your application submission.
- Keep the confirmation for your records.
Additional information
- Anonymized project results may be publicly posted on the RDAR website, with applicants’ personal information excluded.
- All eligible project expenses must occur on or after April 1, 2025 to be reimbursable.
- The overall program budget is $1,000,000, with a stated maximum total funding available for the program in 2024.
- Applicants who have used the OFCAF portal must apply to PREP with a different ARGO email/login, but can use an email alias (e.g., adding “+PREP” to their address).
Contacts
PREP@rdar.ca
