Agricultural Clean Technology Program - Research and Innovation Stream

Program Category: Clean Energy

Program Sub-Category: Renewable Energy, Food Security

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Status: Open

Funder

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

Deadline Details

Program funding for the Research and Innovation Stream is over 5 years, with this stream ending March 31, 2028.

Funder Organization Type

Federal Government

As part of the Government of Canada’s strengthened climate plan, A Healthy Environment and a Healthy Economy, the Agricultural Clean Technology (ACT) Program aims to create an enabling environment for the development and adoption of clean technology that will help drive the changes required to achieve a low-carbon economy and promote sustainable growth in Canada’s agriculture and agri-food sector.

The Research and Innovation Stream will prioritize investments in the development and commercialization of clean technologies that are near market-ready and show promise to considerably advance reductions in greenhouse gas emissions compared to what is currently available. Support will be prioritized for projects that demonstrate significant potential greenhouse gas emissions reductions through the following 3 priorities:

Green energy and energy efficiency including better management of energy intensive processes and introduction of energy generation.
Precision agriculture which uses a wide range of technologies to gather and process data for the purpose of guiding targeted actions that improve the sustainability, efficiency and productivity of agricultural operations.
Bioeconomy which utilizes agriculture waste and by-products for energy and bio-product generation.

Eligible Community

Eligible applicants are:

for-profit organizations, including agri-food processors
not-for-profit organizations, including co-operatives
Indigenous groups

Eligible applicants must be legal entities capable of entering into legally binding agreements. Project work and activities must be carried out in Canada.

Funding Stacking Restrictions

Yes

The maximum level of total government funding (federal, provincial/territorial, and municipal funding) will generally not exceed 75% of eligible costs per project.

Professional Input Required

Specific Eligibility Requirements

Your project application will be assessed against the following criteria, as applicable:

project activities are scientifically sound
relevance, feasibility and impact of the research on the sector
research methodology and experimental design
timelines are realistic to achieve planned results
the proposed activities, including expected results and outcomes, support program objectives and priorities
the proposed activities and expenditures are eligible, reasonable and required to meet the project objectives
the applicant possesses or has access to the qualifications (such as capability/capacity including the necessary technical, financial and managerial capacities) and track record required to complete the project
all sources of funding for the project to be supported under the project are identified
provide evidence to demonstrate that the technology has been tested and is ready for the next stage of commercial development
demonstrate a market need and demand for the technology
ability to provide information on results and indicators
supporting information on the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and other environmental benefits
other priority areas addressed

Other Eligible Applicants

Indigenous Economic Agencies
Indigenous-owned Businesses
Businesses / For-profit
Indigenous Organizations
Non-governmental Organizations / Not-for-Profits

Type of Funding

Loan
Financing
Non-repayable Contribution

Range of Funding Available per Project

Under $100 000
From $100 000 to $1 000 000
Over $1 000 000

Description of Funding

Support is available in the form of repayable and non-repayable contributions from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.

Contributions will be:

non-repayable for research, development and demonstration activities
repayable where activities involve commercialization and scale-up

Percentage of Project Funded

50%

The program may provide a more favourable cost-share ratio (60:40) where the majority of the business (more than 50%) is owned or led by one or more under-represented groups.

Eligible Costs

Planning
Capital Costs
Staff Costs
Administration Fees
Research and Development

Payments for eligible project costs will only be made once a Contribution Agreement is signed.

The program may allow for eligible costs to be incurred from the date of the submission of a completed application. Costs incurred after the project completion date established by the program will not be eligible for funding.

Any costs incurred prior to the signing of a Contribution Agreement will be incurred solely at the applicant's risk without any obligation of payment by the program.

Eligible costs under the program are the incremental, relevant, reasonable and essential expenses required to carry out the eligible activities to which they relate as specifically set out in the Contribution Agreement.

Ineligible Costs

Any costs incurred prior to signing a funding agreement
Building Purchase Costs
Land Acquisition

Reporting Requirements

Progress reports and final reports

Expected Timeframe for Funding Decision

6 months

The program's goal is to assess an application and send an approval or rejection notification letter within 100 business days of receiving a complete application package.

Funding by project: The maximum amount payable to a recipient will generally not exceed $2 million per project.

Funding by recipient: The maximum amount payable to a recipient with multiple projects will generally not exceed $5 million.