How much funding can be received?

The Value-Added Program offers grants up to $250,000 to support diversification, innovation, growth, and job creation in Alberta's value-added food and bio-industrial sectors. Eligible activities include processing capacity expansion, food safety improvement, new product and process development, and market development and access.

grant_single_labels|terms_and_conditions

The Alberta Value-Added Program provides financial support for projects that enhance value-added processing in the agriculture sector in Alberta. The financing modalities are structured to encourage investment and growth by sharing the cost of eligible expenses.

Stream A provides a maximum grant of $50,000, assessed based on eligibility criteria and merit scoring.
Stream B offers grants over $50,000 up to a maximum of $250,000, also based on eligibility criteria and merit scoring.
Eligible capital expenses are cost-shared at 25% grant and 75% applicant.
Eligible non-capital expenses are cost-shared at 50% grant and 50% applicant, with a maximum total amount of $50,000, which includes a $5,000 cap for travel expenses.
Applicants can only apply once per program fiscal year, choosing either Stream A or Stream B at the time of application.

grant_single_labels|projects

The Value-Added Program supports activities that enhance the processing capacity and market reach of Alberta's bio-industrial and food sectors. Eligible projects are geared towards increasing production efficiency, ensuring product quality, and expanding market access.

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

grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample

$ 50,000

Develop a new eco-friendly packaging line for a small business in the food industry

$ 50,000

Expand market access for a NPO's handcrafted food products through an e-commerce platform

$ 50,000

Launch a new organic product line in a family-owned food processing company

$ 100,000

Expand a food processing plant to increase production capacity and create new jobs

$ 75,000

Develop a new gluten-free product line in a mid-sized food processing company

$ 30,000

Improve food safety protocols for a community-run kitchen to enhance product quality

grant_single_labels|admissibility

Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific requirements related to the applicant's profile and business activities.

The applicant must be a bio-industrial processor or a food processor involved in adding value to agricultural products.
The applicant must be an individual or a corporation registered in Alberta at the time of application.
For Stream B applicants, the applicant must have global annual gross sales of $100,000 or greater at the time of application.

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply

To be eligible for the Value-Added Program, an applicant must be a bio-industrial processor or food processor engaged in transforming agricultural products into value-added products and must be a registered individual or corporation in Alberta at the time of application. For Stream B, additional eligibility requires having $100,000 or greater in global annual gross sales. Indigenous applicants are encouraged to apply, and the province shows a commitment to assisting Indigenous businesses in adapting to the specific considerations of their operations.

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply

Based on the Value-Added Program Terms and Conditions, there are no specific types of companies mentioned that are not eligible for this grant.

grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses

Under the Value-Added Program, eligible projects focus on expanding processing capacity, improving food safety, and developing new products. These activities aim to support market expansion and increase production capacity within Alberta's value-added food and bio-industrial sectors.

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

grant_eligibility_criteria|zone

This grant is available to companies registered in Alberta, ensuring that the benefits of the program are directed towards enhancing the local economy. Eligible businesses need to be situated within this province to apply for funding.

Businesses registered in Alberta, Canada.

grant_single_labels|criteria

The evaluation and selection of projects for the Value-Added Program grant are based on specific criteria focused on ensuring alignment with the objectives of increasing production capacity, market opportunities, and job creation in Alberta’s value-added sectors.

Merit scoring of project proposals.
Assessment of eligibility criteria per stream selected (Stream A or Stream B).

grant_single_labels|register

Step 1: Check your eligibility (Eligibility Verification)
- Review the Value-Added Program Terms and Conditions to determine eligibility.
- Ensure the proposed activities are listed as ‘eligible activities’ in the Funding List.
- Complete all sections of the application form. Contact a grant specialist if you have questions on eligibility or program criteria.
Step 2: Complete application form (Application Form Completion)
- Fill out and sign the Value-Added Program Application form.
- Read ‘Part F: Certification’ carefully prior to signing.
- Ensure that only original signatures are used, as electronic or digital signatures are not accepted.
Step 3: Submit application form (Application Submission)
- For Stream A, submit the completed application form and supporting documents within 90 calendar days of the project start date.
- For Stream B, submit the completed application form and supporting documents by 11:59 pm MST on May 27, 2024.
- Email PDF applications to: AFSC.[email protected]
- Alternatively, mail the application to the following address: Value-Added Program, Sustainable CAP, Trade, Investment and Food Safety Division, Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation, Suite 301, 7000 113 Street, Edmonton, Alberta T6H 5T6.
Step 4: Confirmation and follow-up (Application Review)
- After submission, you may be contacted for additional information.
- The total processing time is up to 23 weeks from the program closing date to receive a notification on project support.

grant_single_labels|otherInfo

Here is some miscellaneous information about the grant:

Processing times aim to complete in up to 23 weeks from the program closing date to notify applicants of project support decisions.

Apply to this program

An Opportunity to Boost Your Value-Added Ventures

This grant provides targeted financial support to Alberta-based food and bio-industrial processors working to enhance their value-added projects. It aims to foster increased sales, production capacity, and job creation within the Alberta region.

Detailed Insights into the Value-Added Program and Its Benefits

The Value-Added Program is strategically designed to support the continual diversification, innovation, growth, and prosperity of Alberta's value-added food and bio-industrial sectors. This initiative stands as a crucial lifeline to processors seeking to scale operations, expand market opportunities, and contribute to regional economic development by creating jobs. Understanding the diverse needs of processors, the program provides two distinct funding streams to cater to a broad range of project scopes and sizes.

Stream A allows applicants to receive up to $50,000 in grants, assessed through a rigorous process based on eligibility criteria and a comprehensive merit scoring system. This stream is particularly advantageous for processors aiming to implement smaller yet impactful projects that can potentially transform their operational capabilities. Stream B, on the other hand, offers grants ranging from over $50,000 up to $250,000, also subjected to stringent evaluation criteria, and is tailored for more significant developmental projects. To qualify for Stream B, applicants must demonstrate a global annual gross sales of $100,000, ensuring that the funds are directed towards enterprises poised for substantial impact.

Grants are structured to promote both capital and non-capital expenditures, with capital expenses being cost-shared at 25% grant and 75% applicant, fostering investment in infrastructure improvements and technological advancements. Non-capital expenses are matched at a 50% grant allocation, up to a maximum of $50,000, facilitating critical operational enhancements like food safety improvement, market development, and new product and process development. With a focus on flexibility and inclusivity, the program also strongly encourages applications from Indigenous businesses, offering tailored support and guidance to navigate the application process.

The application process is meticulously structured to ensure thorough preparation and submission of relevant details. Applicants are urged to meticulously review the Value-Added Program Terms and Conditions and the Funding List to establish eligibility and align their proposed activities with program expectations. The application window opens on April 15, 2024, with Stream A accepting applications until funds are depleted and Stream B closing on May 27, 2024. Submission can be done via email or post, preserving the integrity of the original signatures required.

Processing times aim for efficiency, with a total objective of up to 23 weeks from the program’s closing date to the notification of the decision, ensuring transparency and predictability for applicants. By participating in the Value-Added Program, processors not only secure crucial financial backing but also align themselves with a network of strategic support centered around sustainable agricultural and bio-industrial practices.

This overarching support structure reaffirmed by the grant paves the way for innovative growth, market competitiveness, and ecological sustainability within Alberta’s thriving agricultural ecosystem, providing a forward-looking pathway for enterprises ready to leverage this opportunity for escalated growth and advancement.