This program is currently between intakes. Infrequent — typically one intake per 2-3 year period under each Sustainable CAP framework. Most recent intake closed June 2024. Confirm on the official site ↗
Updated August 2026 · Verified against Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) guidelines
Reimbursement Est. 2018
Grant Federal Between Intakes

AgriScience Program — Clusters Component

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC)
Maximum Funding
$5,000,000 to $15,000,000 per cluster over 5 years (AAFC...
Between intakes — no current open intake as of May 2026
Visit Official Program →
Difficulty
Hard
Payment
Reimbursement
Trend
Stable
First-Timers
—
Co-Funding
70%
AgriScience Program — Clusters Component provides up to $5,000,000 to $15,000,000 per cluster over 5 years (AAFC contribution). A Sustainable CAP (2023–2028) program funding national multi-stakeholder clusters of $5M–$15M over 5 years that accelerate pre-commercial agricultural science through industry-academia-government partnerships. The program covers up to 70% of eligible costs. Between intakes — no current open intake as of May 2026.
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Real recipient data

Who actually receives this funding

37 awards on record since 2018. Typical award: $5.53M. Half of all awards fall between $4.06M and $7.25M. The advertised maximum is $15M — most awards land closer to $5.53M. Top sectors among classified recipients: Oilseed and grain farming, Poultry and egg production, Crop production. Top provinces: Ontario 41% · Saskatchewan 22% · Quebec 16%. Covers: AAFC AgriScience Program — Clusters Component contributions to research consortia and industry-led clusters. Source: Government of Canada proactive disclosure data · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada · Data through Q3 2026.

The typical AgriScience Program award is $5.53M — the median of 37 awards since 2018, even though the program advertises up to $15M.

$5.53Mtypical award
37awards since 2018

Award size distribution. Half of awards fall between $4.06M and $7.25M, with a typical award of $5.53M. Advertised maximum $15M.

Award sizes middle 50% of awards advertised: up to $15M
$5.53M typical
Top sectors Oilseed and grain farmingPoultry and egg productionCrop production(of classified recipients)
Top provinces ON 41%SK 22%QC 16%
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Source: Government of Canada proactive disclosure

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Eligibility & Details

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Program Description

A Sustainable CAP (2023–2028) program funding national multi-stakeholder clusters of $5M–$15M over 5 years that accelerate pre-commercial agricultural science through industry-academia-government partnerships. Distinct from the Projects Component (individual organizations, up to $5M): Clusters mobilize national industry associations, cooperatives, and research networks addressing AAFC priority themes including climate/GHG, sector resilience, and economic productivity.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Not-for-profit organizations only (associations, corporations, cooperatives, Indigenous groups)
  • Legal entity capable of entering into legally binding agreements
  • Must consent to share a summary of the proposal with federal departments and provincial/territorial governments
  • Project must mobilize partnerships between industry, government, and academia through a national thematic cluster
  • Research must align with at least one AAFC priority area: Climate Change & Environment (minimum 30% of costs, with at least 15% on GHG/carbon sequestration); Economic Growth & Development; or Sector Resilience & Societal Challenge
  • Total government funding across all sources cannot exceed 85% of eligible project costs
Provinces
All Provinces
Industries
Agriculture Clean Technology
Business Stage
Growth Expansion Established

Quick Assessment

Difficulty
Hard
Competition
High
First-Timer
Not rated

Funding Details

Amount
$5,000,000 to $15,000,000 per cluster over 5 years (AAFC contribution)
Type
Grant
Level
Federal
Co-Funding
Up to 70% of eligible costs
Deadline
Between intakes — no current open intake as of May 2026

Program Scorecard

Competition, effort, and approval at a glance

Competition
High
Deadline
Between Intakes
Approval
Good
Accessibility
--/5
Competition
--/5
Approval Rate
--%
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Insider Tip

Contact AAFC's program office before the next intake opens — [email protected].

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Rejection Pitfalls 6

  • For-profit organization — only not-for-profits (associations, corporations, cooperatives, Indigenous groups) are eligible
+5 more pitfalls
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Application Playbook

Step-by-step process, required documents, and expenses

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Application Steps

1 Pre-Application Contact and Consortium Building Contact AAFC's program office at [email protected] to express interest and confirm upcoming intake timing. Build your multi-stakeholder cluster (industry, academia, government) well before the intake opens — consortium formation is a multi-year endeavour for national-scale clusters.

Required Documents 6

✓ Expression of Interest (EOI) form — required to request a full application package
✓ Detailed project proposal including cluster governance structure, research plan, and consortium membership

Eligible Expenses 7

Ineligible Expenses 6

Intake Periods

Deadline Notes

Ineligible Organizations

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Funding Stack Strategy

Compatible programs, clawback risk, and combined funding potential

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Compatible Programs

NSERC Alliance Grants Emissions Reduction Fund (NRCan) AAFC AgriScience Projects Component
Combined Funding Potential See your total funding potential

Clawback Risk

Medium Risk

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How AgriScience Program — Clusters Component Compares

Side-by-side with similar programs

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Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers to the questions founders most often ask about AgriScience Program — Clusters Component

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What is the difference between the Clusters and Projects Components?
The Projects Component funds individual organizations (for-profit and not-for-profit) for single applied-research projects up to $5M over 5 years. The Clusters Component funds national multi-stakeholder networks at $5M-$15M and requires a not-for-profit lead with industry-academia-government consortium structure. Clusters address national priority themes; Projects can be more targeted.
Can a for-profit company apply?
Not as the lead applicant — only not-for-profit organizations (associations, cooperatives, corporations, Indigenous groups) can lead Cluster applications. However, for-profit companies can participate as consortium partners contributing in-kind resources or co-funding.
Is there a current open intake?
No — the most recent intake closed June 2024. The program runs under Sustainable CAP (2023-2028), so at least one more intake is expected before 2028. Contact [email protected] to be notified when the next intake opens.

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