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Source verified August 11, 2026
Saskatchewan Lean Improvements in Manufacturing (SLIM)
Funding for agri-business manufacturing improvements
Latest source updateLast Update: July 8, 2026Latest change: The SLIM page now shows earlier deadlines for pre-approval, business analysis, and final claim submission.View change
Latest source update
Last Update: July 8, 2026
Latest change: The SLIM page now shows earlier deadlines for pre-approval, business analysis, and final claim submission.
SLIM deadlines updated
The SLIM program page now shows earlier application milestones: pre-approval is due on or before April 30, 2027, business analysis is due on or before June 30, 2027, and final claim submission is due by the earlier of the approval-package date or on or before February 1, 2028. The funding rates, eligibility rules, and target audience otherwise appear unchanged.
Funding available
$ 750,000
Deadline
June 30, 2027
Location
Saskatchewan, Canada
Who can apply
Agri-businesses, First Nations, and abattoirs involved in value-added processing of Canadian agricultural products
See full eligibility
Overview
Saskatchewan Lean Improvements in Manufacturing (SLIM) offers up to $750,000 in funding to agri-businesses, First Nations, and abattoirs in Saskatchewan to support productivity improvements and greenhouse gas emission reductions. Eligible activities include automation, emissions-reducing equipment and infrastructure, and expansion projects for new product processing lines.
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Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase performance through digital transformation
- Increase production or service capacity
- Implement environmental initiatives
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 750,000 $
- Up to 60% of project cost
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Saskatchewan
Legal structures
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- $ 100,000 minimum revenue
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Automation and efficient manufacturing improvements
- Emissions-reduction upgrades and sustainable manufacturing investments
- Expansion of processing capacity for new products
- Value-added processing projects using Canadian agricultural inputs
Documents Needed
- Completed pre-approval application form
- Business analysis report, when requested
- Invoices and proof of payment for claims
- Receipts or original project records if requested
- Project photos if requested
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Agri-businesses, First Nations, and abattoirs involved in value-added processing of Canadian agricultural products
Who is not eligible
- Facilities where the retail environment is larger than the processing area
- Publicly funded facilities
- Cannabis processing facilities that do not have a standard processing licence as issued by Health Canada, including facilities that exclusively dry, mill, bag and/or pre-roll (package) cannabis
- Processors of seafood or fish, and processors of seed intended to grow crops
- Facilities solely dedicated to cleaning, bagging, handling and/or storing of primary products; businesses exclusively food service operators; and facilities exclusively involved in assembling, blending, or packaging
Eligible expenses
- Third-party business analysis costs, including consultant fees, site visits, commercial assessments, engineering, electrical or emissions reduction specialists, automation or manufacturing process or technology improvements, greenhouse gas emissions-reduction assessments and process audits, and third-party costs related to developing new technology, equipment increasing labour productivity, equipment increasing manufacturing capacity and expansion capability, and emission reduction equipment or infrastructure
- Projects that result in cost-savings for the business, including reducing food or water waste and improving water quality or water use efficiency; purchase of new or refurbished equipment and machinery replacing existing equipment; nominal structural adjustments and renovations of buildings; installation, delivery, shipping/handling fees and construction expenses provided by an independent third party; training costs directly related to the project; consultation, design, engineering and related training provided by a third-party; embedded software that directly contributes to processing efficiency
- Anaerobic digestion of food waste, conversion of biogas into electricity, heat or renewable natural gas; energy efficiency improvements to the building envelope including lighting, ventilation upgrades and efficiency improvements to heating, refrigeration, cooling and water heating; adoption of alternative energy sources such as solar, wind power or combined heat and power projects
- Water development projects including wells, connection to rural water utility, converting non-potable water to potable water and pipelines for commercial use; purchase of equipment, shipping and installation costs related to the addition of new product processing lines complimentary to processing already being undertaken
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Expenditures made prior to April 1, 2023 or prior to project approval
- New buildings, additions or major building modifications
- Labour, wages or travel costs of applicant or employees; use of own equipment
- Leased, used or self-made equipment, including any equipment purchased at auction
- Taxes, brokerage, legal costs or interest/financing costs; business or marketing plan development; office equipment; computers and related hardware; software that is not imbedded in equipment and/or does not increase productivity; farm equipment including grain bins, livestock handling equipment and corrals, cars, trucks, tractors, trailers, forklifts or other mobile motorized equipment; purchase of capital items such as land or buildings; production disturbances; equipment and supplies requiring replacement on an ongoing basis; regular repair or maintenance; costs claimed under other programs; ongoing utility costs; water treatment projects as it related to treating wastewater from production for disposal; additional cost incurred for the installation and/or connection to SaskPower grid (i.e., net metering) for solar projects
Eligible geographic areas
- Saskatchewan
Selection criteria
- Alignment with productivity, efficiency, and emissions-reduction goals
- Eligibility of the applicant and facility
- Project size and related funding tier
- Use of a business analysis to support the project
How to apply
- Step 1: Download and complete the pre-approval application form
- Provide business and facility details
- Identify your current processing activities and inputs
- Step 2: Submit the pre-approval application
- Email the form to agprograms@gov.sk.ca or mail it to the Ministry of Agriculture, Programs Branch in Regina
- Step 3: Wait for ministry review and approval
- The ministry reviews eligibility before authorizing a business analysis
- Step 4: Complete the business analysis and project claim process
- Submit the completed business analysis by the deadline
- Send claims and supporting invoices to the Programs Branch when the project is installed, paid for, and operational
Processing and Agreement
- Approval to undertake a business analysis does not imply approval of a project
- Approval to proceed with a business analysis and required report components is provided after submission and ministry review of the pre-approval application form
- Applicants must receive approval before beginning the business analysis
- Final claim can be submitted when equipment and materials are installed, fully paid for and operational
- SLIM program requirements must be met prior to payment of any claim
- Submission of a completed claim form, copies of all invoices and proof of payment is required to process the claim
Additional information
- SLIM is a proposal-based, pre-approval program.
- The ministry has the discretion to determine eligibility of each applicant or project under the program.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Saskatchewan Lean Improvements in Manufacturing (SLIM) Program
What is the Saskatchewan Lean Improvements in Manufacturing (SLIM)?
Saskatchewan Lean Improvements in Manufacturing (SLIM) offers up to $750,000 in funding to agri-businesses, First Nations, and abattoirs in Saskatchewan to support productivity improvements and greenhouse gas emission reductions. Eligible activities include automation, emissions-reducing equipment and infrastructure, and expansion projects for new product processing lines.
How much funding can be received?
Saskatchewan Lean Improvements in Manufacturing (SLIM) Funds up to 60% of admissible expenses, capped at $750,000 per project.
Who is eligible for the Saskatchewan Lean Improvements in Manufacturing (SLIM) program?
To be eligible for the Saskatchewan Lean Improvements in Manufacturing (SLIM) program, you must:
Commercial enterprise located in Saskatchewan, incorporated federally or in Saskatchewan, and filed income tax in Saskatchewan within the past year
Existing facility in operation undertaking value-added processing for a minimum of two years
Minimum of $100,000 gross annual revenue and identifiable inputs from primary agricultural commodities grown or raised in Canada
What expenses are eligible under Saskatchewan Lean Improvements in Manufacturing (SLIM)?
Automation and efficient manufacturing improvements
Emissions-reduction upgrades and sustainable manufacturing investments
Expansion of processing capacity for new products
Value-added processing projects using Canadian agricultural inputs
Who can I contact for more information about the Saskatchewan Lean Improvements in Manufacturing (SLIM)?
You can contact Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (SCAP) by email at agprograms@gov.sk.ca or by phone at 1-866-457-2377.
Where is the Saskatchewan Lean Improvements in Manufacturing (SLIM) available?
The Saskatchewan Lean Improvements in Manufacturing (SLIM) program is available the province of Saskatchewan.
Is the Saskatchewan Lean Improvements in Manufacturing (SLIM) a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Saskatchewan Lean Improvements in Manufacturing (SLIM) is a Grant and Funding