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
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

34 awards on record since 2018. Typical award: $5.46M. Half of all awards fall between $3.86M and $7.96M. The advertised maximum is $15M — most awards land closer to $5.46M. Top sectors among classified recipients: Oilseed and grain farming, Crop production, Other crop farming. Top provinces: Ontario 41% · Saskatchewan 24% · Quebec 15%. 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 Q4 2026.

The typical AgriScience Program award is $5.46M — the median of 34 awards since 2018, even though the program advertises up to $15M.

$5.46Mtypical award
34awards since 2018

Award size distribution. Half of awards fall between $3.86M and $7.96M, with a typical award of $5.46M. Advertised maximum $15M.

Award sizes middle 50% of awards advertised: up to $15M
$5.46M typical
Top sectors Oilseed and grain farmingCrop productionOther crop farming(of classified recipients)
Top provinces ON 41%SK 24%QC 15%

Named recipients

Recent recipients include Canola Council of Canada (Winnipeg, MB, 2026), Organic Federation of Canada (Montreal, QC, 2026) and Canadian Poultry Research Council (Ottawa, ON, 2026).

  1. 2026Canola Council of CanadaWinnipeg, MB · Animal production and aquaculture
  2. 2026Organic Federation of CanadaMontreal, QC · Other crop farming
  3. 2026Canadian Poultry Research CouncilOttawa, ON · Poultry and egg production
  4. 2023Canadian Institute of Food Science and TechnologyBurlington, ON · Other food manufacturing
  5. 2023Canadian Cattle AssociationCalgary, AB · Animal production and aquaculture
  6. 2023BioFuelNet Canada NetworkSte-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC · Crop production
  7. 2023Western Grains Research FoundationSaskatoon, SK · Oilseed and grain farming
  8. 2023Ag-West Bio Inc.Saskatoon, SK
  9. 2023Pulse Crops (Canada) AssociationWinnipeg, MB · Crop production
  10. 2023Dairy Farmers of CanadaOttawa, ON · Animal production and aquaculture
Show 16 more recipients
  1. 2023Canadian Field Crop Research AllianceGuelph, ON
  2. 2023Fruit and Vegetable Growers of CanadaOttawa, ON · Support activities for crop production
  3. 2023Bioindustrial Innovation CanadaSarnia, ON · Other chemical product mfg
  4. 2023Canadian Wheat Research CoalitionSaskatoon, SK · Crop production
  5. 2023Canadian Barley Research CoalitionSaskatoon, SK · Crop production
  6. 2023Canadian Grapevine Certification Network - Réseau canadien de certification de la vigneSt. Catharines, ON · Support activities for crop production
  7. 2018Saskatchewan Pulse GrowersSaskatoon, SK · Oilseed and grain farming
  8. 2018Alliance de recherche sur les cultures commerciales du CanadaGuelph, ON · Crop production
  9. 2018Swine Innovation PorcQuebec, QC · Hog and pig farming
  10. 2018Canadian Food InnovatorsWinnipeg, MB
  11. 2018Barley Council of CanadaCalgary, AB · Crop production
  12. 2018Beef Cattle Research CouncilCalgary, AB
  13. 2018Canadian Grapevine Certification NetworkSt. Catharines, ON · Crop production
  14. 2018Canadian Ornamental Horticulture AllianceGrimsby, ON · Crop production
  15. 2018Vineland Research and Innovation CentreVineland Station, ON · Machinery manufacturing
  16. 2018Canadian Horticultural CouncilOttawa, ON
See how much each recipient received, and how each award compares to the typical one. Included in Premium ↓

Source: Government of Canada proactive disclosure

See all AgriScience Program winners →

Eligibility & Details

What this program funds and who can apply

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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 Food Beverage
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
1/5

Very difficult — extensive requirements

Competition
5/5

Very high competition — highly selective

Difficulty
5/5

Very complex — extensive preparation required

Approval Rate
Processing Time
Budget Trend
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How to Win

Insider tips, common pitfalls, and what successful applicants look like

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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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Success Profile

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Evaluation Criteria

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What's in this Playbook

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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

Premium The full guide for this program also covers:
  • 5 more application steps
  • 4 more required documents
  • 7 eligible expenses
  • 6 ineligible expenses
  • Intake periods
  • Deadline notes
  • Ineligible organizations

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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