Updated August 2026 · Verified against Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) guidelines
Reimbursement Est. 2018
Grant Federal Active

AgriScience Program — Projects Component

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC)
Maximum Funding
Up to $5,000,000
Ongoing
Visit Official Program →
Difficulty
Hard
Payment
Reimbursement
Trend
Stable
First-Timers
—
Co-Funding
70%
AgriScience Program — Projects Component provides Up to $5,000,000 per project. The AgriScience Program Projects Component provides non-repayable contributions of up to $5,000,000 per project for industry-led, pre-commercial applied research and innovation in Canadian agriculture. The program covers up to 70% of eligible costs. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.
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Real recipient data

Who actually receives this funding

8 businesses received this funding in 2025 — 126 awards since 2018. Typical award: $579K. Half of all awards fall between $168.9K and $1.35M. The advertised maximum is $5M — most awards land closer to $579K. Top sectors among classified recipients: Oilseed and grain farming, Hog and pig farming, Poultry and egg production. Top provinces: Ontario 37% · Quebec 21% · British Columbia 16%. Covers: AAFC AgriScience Program — Projects Component contributions (industry-led research and innovation projects). 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 $579K — the median of 126 awards since 2018, even though the program advertises up to $5M. In 2025, 8 organizations were funded.

8funded in 2025
$579Ktypical award
126awards since 2018

Most awards fall between $168.9K and $1.35M, with a typical (median) award of $579K. The program funds up to $5M for the largest projects — about 8.6 times the typical award.

Where awards land
typical $579K $168.9K $1.35M
up to $5M

Most awards land between $168.9K and $1.35M, with a typical award of $579K — and this program funds up to $5M for the largest projects.

Top sectors Oilseed and grain farmingHog and pig farmingPoultry and egg production(of classified recipients)
Top provinces ON 37%QC 21%BC 16%
8 organizations received this grant in 2025. See the 31 most recent — and how much each received. Get Premium — $39/mo
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Source: Government of Canada proactive disclosure

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Eligibility & Details

What this program funds and who can apply

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Program Description

The AgriScience Program Projects Component provides non-repayable contributions of up to $5,000,000 per project for industry-led, pre-commercial applied research and innovation in Canadian agriculture. Delivered under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (2023–2028), the program co-funds research addressing climate change, economic growth, and sector resilience. AAFC contributes up to 50% of eligible costs (up to 70% for GHG-related work by non-profits; Indigenous applicants may qualify for higher ratios). Total government support cannot exceed 85% of project costs.

Eligibility Requirements

  • For-profit or not-for-profit organizations that are legal entities capable of entering binding agreements
  • Must lead an industry-driven research consortium (academic or science provider partnerships permitted)
  • Projects must address one of three priority themes: climate change and environment; economic growth and development; sector resilience and societal challenges
  • Research must be pre-commercial applied science or R&D (not basic research)
  • Must consent to share proposal summary with federal, provincial, and territorial governments
  • Maximum $10M per applicant over the full program duration (2023–2028)
  • Indigenous applicants eligible for higher cost-share ratios and flexible terms
Provinces
All Provinces
Industries
Agriculture Food Beverage Clean Technology Healthcare
Business Stage
Established Growth

Quick Assessment

Difficulty
Hard
Competition
High
First-Timer
Not rated

Funding Details

Amount
Up to $5,000,000 per project
Type
Grant
Level
Federal
Co-Funding
Up to 70% of eligible costs
Deadline
Ongoing

Program Scorecard

Competition, effort, and approval at a glance

Competition
High
Deadline
Ongoing
Approval
Moderate
Accessibility
--/5
Competition
--/5
Approval Rate
--%
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What's in this Playbook

Everything you need to win AgriScience Program — Projects Component

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How to Win

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Insider Tip

AAFC strongly encourages pre-application consultations before submitting — these are effectively required for large projects and help align your research focus with current AAFC priorities.

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Application Playbook

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

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Application Steps

1 Pre-Application Consultation Contact AAFC at 1-877-246-4682 or [email protected] to discuss your project idea. This is strongly encouraged and effectively required for large projects. AAFC program officers help align your research with current priorities.

Required Documents 8

✓ Completed AgriScience Projects application form (from AAFC program officers)
✓ Detailed research proposal with hypothesis, methodology, and expected outcomes

Eligible Expenses 8

Ineligible Expenses 9

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 Genome Canada OMAFRA (Ontario Ministry of Agriculture) Research Programs Alberta Agriculture and Forestry Research Programs Emissions Reduction Alberta (ERA) SDTC (Sustainable Development Technology Canada)
Combined Funding Potential See your total funding potential

Clawback Risk

Low Risk
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How AgriScience Program — Projects Component Compares

Side-by-side with similar programs

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Program Amount Difficulty Payment Deadline
AgriScience Program — Projects Component Up to $5,000,000 per project Hard Reimbursement Ongoing
Genome Canada Up to $10 million Hard Reimbursement Ongoing
Emissions Reduction Alberta (ERA) — I... up to $15,000,000 Hard Reimbursement 2026 round closed —...
Strategic Response Fund (formerly Str... Minimum $10 million contribution Hard Mixed (Advance + Reimb.) Ongoing — continuous...
CanExport SMEs Up to $50,000 Moderate Mixed (Advance + Reimb.) Applications accepted...

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

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Can sole proprietors apply for AgriScience Projects?
No — only legal entities (incorporated businesses, non-profits, or registered associations) can apply. Sole proprietors must incorporate before applying.
What's the realistic grant size for a small agri-tech startup?
$500,000–$2M is typical for startups; larger projects with consortia can reach $5M. AAFC prioritizes projects with clear industry co-funding (50% minimum).
Do I need to pay upfront for research costs?
Yes — payments are reimbursement-based. You must cover all costs upfront and submit receipts after project completion to receive funds.
Why do most applications fail?
Common rejections: projects outside the three priority themes (climate, growth, resilience), no industry co-funding, or claiming basic research instead of applied science.
Can I stack this with other grants?
Yes — for example, NSERC Alliance grants cover academic costs, Genome Canada for genomics, and OMAFRA/ERA for provincial layers. Check compatibility with your project type.

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