Agricultural Clean Technology Program: Research and Innovation Stream
Accepting applications
Program Category:
Clean Energy
Project Type(s):
Renewable Energy, Food Security
Deadline Details
Program funding for the Research and Innovation Stream is over 5 years, with this stream ending March 31, 2028.
Intake Type
Continuous IntakeFunder
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Funding Organization Type
- Federal Government
Funding Range
- Major (over $500K)
Eligible Community
- Indigenous Communities
Eligible Project Activities
- Project Implementation (e.g. Design / Procurement / Construction)
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:
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Green energy and energy efficiency including better management of energy intensive processes and introduction of energy generation.
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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.
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Bioeconomy which utilizes agriculture waste and by-products for energy and bio-product generation.
Eligible Community
Eligible applicants are:
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for-profit organizations, including agri-food processors
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not-for-profit organizations, including co-operatives
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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
No
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 Communities
Indigenous Economic AgenciesIndigenous-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
- Major (over $500K)
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
PlanningCapital 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 agreementBuilding Purchase Costs
Land Acquisition
Reporting Requirements
Progress reports and final reports
Expected Timeframe for Funding Decision
6 monthsThe 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.