Alberta — Value-Added Program - Alberta - Canada

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Source verified July 30, 2026

Alberta — Value-Added Program

Supports Alberta value-added food and bio-industrial processors

Offered by

Government of Alberta

Official source: alberta.ca

Latest source update

Last Update: May 15, 2026

Latest change: The Value-Added Program now shows open applications, updated project and reporting dates, and revised application and grant-term instructions.

View change

Value-Added Program updated

The Value-Added Program page now shows both streams accepting applications until funding is allocated, and the application form is available for download. The approval letter, sample grant agreement, and related terms also reflect updated project and final report dates for the 2026 to 2027 term. Application instructions were tightened and clarified, including completing all sections, hand-signing the signature page, and submitting the form with supporting documents. Related grant documents also show revised reporting, reimbursement, eligible activity, and expense language, while the contact email remains the same.

Funding available

$ 1,000 - $ 250,000

Deadline

Open continuously

Opened July 29, 2026

Location

Alberta, Canada

Who can apply

Bio-industrial processors.

See full eligibility

Overview

The Value-Added Program offers up to $250,000 to Alberta bio-industrial and food processors for projects that support diversification, innovation, growth, market expansion, and job creation. Eligible activities include processing capacity expansion, food safety improvement, and new product and process development, with related capital and non-capital expenses supported.

/100

Opportunity Score

Moderate potential, but conditions must align.

At a glance

Funding available

Financing goals

Increase production or service capacity
Develop a new product or service
Reduce environmental footprint

Eligible Funding

Maximum amount : 250,000 $
Minimum amount : 1,000 $
Up to 50% of project cost

Funds Providers

Eligible candidates

Eligible Industries

All industries

Location

Alberta

Legal structures

For-profit business
Non-financial cooperative

Annual revenue

$ 25,000 minimum revenue

Organisation size

All organization sizes

Audience

All groups

Next Steps

Determine your project

Validate your eligibility

Activities funded

Processing capacity expansion
Food safety improvement
New product and process development
Market development and access

Documents Needed

Completed Program Application Form signed by an authorized representative.
Original handwritten signature page.
Quotations or invoices for all capital expenses and all non-capital expenses over $1,000.
A list of other funding secured for at least 50% of the required investment for the Project, and supporting documentation if requested.
Any additional supporting or supplementary documentation required by the form or requested by the Minister.

Official resources

Official page

Value-Added Program

Program guide

agi scap vap approval grant terms

agi scap vap terms conditions

Application form

Part C: Project Cost Summary

q) “Project” means the activities in the Application that the Eligible Applicant proposed to

Supporting document

agi scap vap approval letter

agi scap vap funding list

Eligibility

Who is eligible?

Bio-industrial processors.
Food processors.
Individuals, corporations, partnerships, or co-operatives registered in Alberta at time of application.
Indigenous applicants, including First Nations, Inuit, or Métis, may be approved even if they do not meet the processor or Alberta registration requirements.

Who is not eligible

Industry organizations, applied research organizations, and post-secondary institutions.
Federal, provincial, and municipal governments, agencies and institutions, and similar organizations funded in whole or in part by the government.
Retail businesses, restaurants, and food establishments including commercial kitchens, food trucks, and cafeterias.
Applicants with an active application to, or funding from, another Sustainable CAP program for the same expenses or for activities that, in the Minister’s view, will result in outcomes that are substantially the same.
Any other applicant deemed by the Minister to be ineligible.

Eligible expenses

Eligible Capital Expenses listed in the Funding List
Eligible Non-Capital Expenses listed in the Funding List
Third-party professional fees
Travel expenses
Tradeshow or conference fees

Ineligible Costs and Activities

Purchase or construction of real property or structural works, and activities related to cleaning, bagging, sorting, handling, and/or storing primary products.
Activities associated with aquaculture, aquaponics, or seafood processing, except activities related to the international marketing of fish and seafood products.
Advertising, promotions, sponsorship, product donations, and province-specific branding, promotion, or marketing activities that are detrimental to another province or territory.
Shipping costs, leased equipment, office furniture or space leases, vehicles, website-related costs, fixtures or building costs not directly related to the Eligible Activity, and equipment for storage purposes not directly related to the Eligible Activity.
On-going business operational and overhead expenses, staff or consulting expenses for existing product sales, listing or shelf stocking fees, consumable expenses, GST and other relevant taxes, non-arm’s length expenses, non-capital expenses related to co-packer clients, and costs incurred outside of the Project Term.

Eligible geographic areas

Alberta

Selection criteria

Total project investment relative to the Grant request, and the Applicant’s ability to secure funding related to the Project investment.
The Project’s potential to increase, diversify and/or effectively utilize production capacity, distribution channels and/or market(s) expansion.
The Project’s potential to create jobs in Alberta and increase the Applicant’s annual sales.
The Applicant’s ability to contribute to the overall growth and development of the market or product and/or subsector, and the degree to which its documents demonstrate the capacity to complete the Project.
If applicable, past results under the Program and any other metric or desired Program outcome announced by the Minister from time to time.

How to apply

Review the Value-Added Program Terms and Conditions and confirm your proposed activities are listed in the Funding List.
Download and complete all sections of the Application Form.
Read Part F: Certification, print and sign the signature page by hand, and use original signatures only.
Submit the completed application form and supporting documents within 90 calendar days of the project start date.
Send the original digital fillable PDF and a scanned copy of the signature page by email, or mail the application to the program mailing address.

Processing and Agreement

After submission, the applicant may be contacted for additional information.
Processing times may vary according to the completeness of submitted applications and the number of applications under review.
Applicants will be notified of the outcome once the assessment process is complete.
Successful applicants must enter into a grant agreement to receive Program funding.
Payment is made upon receipt of a satisfactory Final Report and Reimbursement Claim Form.

Additional information

Applicants can select either Stream A or Stream B at the time of application and may apply only once per Program fiscal year, from April 1 to March 31.
Applications for projects having a funding request under $1,000 will not be accepted.
Applications are considered on a case-by-case basis, not first come, first served.

Contacts

S-CAP.ValueAddedPrograms@gov.ab.ca

Frequently Asked Questions about the Alberta — Value-Added Program Program

What is the Alberta — Value-Added Program?

How much funding can be received?

Alberta — Value-Added Program Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses, capped at $250,000 per project.

Who is eligible for the Alberta — Value-Added Program program?

To be eligible for the Alberta — Value-Added Program program, you must: Be a bio-industrial processor or food processor changing an agricultural product into a value-added product. Be an individual, corporation, partnership, or co-operative registered in Alberta at time of application. Meet the stream sales requirement: Stream A $25,000 to $10,000,000 annual sales; Stream B at least $1,000,000.