RDAR — Producer Research and Evaluation Program

Eligibility for this grant is contingent upon specific criteria related to the applicant's farming operations and management responsibilities.

• Applicants must be primary producers operating in Alberta.
• Applicants must be responsible for input costs for an operation producing at least $25,000 in annual farm cash receipts.
• Applicants must be responsible for day-to-day management and work on the farm.
• Applicants must not be landlords solely owning the land without active management or operation involvement.

Who is eligible?

Eligible applicants for the Producer Research and Evaluation Program must meet specific criteria to be considered for funding.

• Primary producers operating in Alberta.
• Responsible for input costs for a crop or livestock operation generating at least $25,000 in annual farm cash receipts.
• Responsible for the day-to-day management and work on the farm, excluding landlords with only ownership interest in the land.

Who is not eligible

This grant is specifically targeted to primary producers in Alberta with certain operational criteria. Restrictions exclude certain entities to maintain focus on entities actively involved in on-farm operations.

• Landlords whose only interest is ownership of the land and not involved in active farming operations.

Eligible expenses

The Producer Research and Evaluation Program (PREP) supports on-farm research initiatives that aim to evaluate emerging technologies and practices. These projects are designed to help producers make informed decisions by collecting sufficient data on the feasibility and impact of new production strategies.

• On-farm research trials that include adequate data collection to assess the impact of the production practice or technology tested within the project.
• Testing or evaluating emerging technology and farming practices.

Eligible geographic areas

This grant is available exclusively to primary producers operating within a specific geographical region. The eligible area has been determined to facilitate targeted support to the agronomic community.

• Producers operating within the province of Alberta, Canada.

The evaluation and selection of projects for this grant focus on alignment with the program's objectives, measurable results, and potential for broader adoption.

• Alignment with the purpose of the Program.
• The project answers a research question with a measurable, reportable, and verifiable outcome or impact to inform the Applicant, and other Alberta producers.
• The emergent and potential nature of the project.
• The project timelines are achievable and appropriate.
• Adoption potential of the innovation by other producers.
• The opportunity for the proposal results to be presented to other producers.
• Budget items are clear and justified.

Here are some additional miscellaneous details about the grant:

• Applications must include a budget with clear and justified items.
• Funding cannot overlap with the cost-share requirements of other Sustainable CAP programs.
• All receipts, invoices, and proof of payments must match the applicant's legal entity/organization name.
• RDAR's contribution to the project must be acknowledged according to the Grant Communications Guide.
• The program includes a video tutorial available on YouTube for application guidance.