AgriScience Program — Projects Component
Eligibility & Details
What this program funds and who can apply
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
Quick Assessment
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
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How to Win
Insider tips, common pitfalls, and what successful applicants look like
Insider TipAAFC strongly encourages pre-application consultations before submitting — these are effectively required for large projects and help align your research focus with current AAFC priorities. Projects with AI and big data components have been explicitly highlighted as a priority area. If your project has GHG sequestration or carbon reduction components, you can qualify for the 70% cost-share ratio (vs 50% standard), which significantly reduces the matching burden. The $10M per applicant cap means serial applicants should plan their pipeline accordingly.
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Success Profile
A Canadian canola growers association leading a 4-year project with two university partners and a private agri-tech firm to develop AI-driven soil carbon measurement tools, with $2.5M from AAFC matched by $2.5M from industry and university in-kind contributions.
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Evaluation Criteria
Applications are assessed in two stages. Stage 1 (Project Summary): AAFC program officers evaluate eligibility and alignment with program priorities. Stage 2 (Full Application, by invitation only): Detailed assessment of (1) Relevance — alignment with three priority themes (climate change, economic growth, sector resilience), (2) Scientific merit and research methodology, (3) Feasibility — realistic timeline, milestones, and budget, (4) Impact — potential for sector-wide knowledge transfer and commercial application, (5) Organizational capacity — research team credentials, facilities, track record, (6) Industry support — demonstrated demand from commodity groups and industry associations.
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Application Playbook
Step-by-step process, required documents, and expenses
Application Steps
Required Documents 8
Eligible Expenses 8
- Salaries, wages, fees, and benefits of employees or contractors directly performing research activities
- Materials and supplies consumed in research and experimentation
- Travel costs directly related to project execution (field research, partner meetings, conferences)
- Equipment rental or acquisition directly required for research activities
- Laboratory testing and analysis fees
- Publication and knowledge transfer costs
- Administrative costs (calculated at 10% flat rate on total activity costs)
- Subcontractor costs for specialized research services from partner organizations (academic, government, industry)
Ineligible Expenses 9
- Costs incurred before the contribution agreement is signed
- Commercialization-phase activities (product launch, marketing, sales)
- In-kind contributions (not reimbursed, though they may count toward matching share)
- Capital construction of buildings or permanent infrastructure
- Land acquisition
- General corporate overhead not directly attributable to the research project
- Costs already funded by other federal programs for the same activity (double-dipping)
- Lobbying or advocacy expenses
- Basic or fundamental research without clear industry application
Intake Periods
Open intake — applications accepted on a continuous basis until funding is exhausted or March 31, 2028 (end of SCAP period). No formal competition rounds. Pre-application consultation with AAFC is the de facto starting point. Strategic timing: early in the SCAP period (2023-2025) when more budget remains.
Deadline Notes
Open intake — applications accepted until funding is exhausted or March 31, 2028. Contact AAFC at 1-877-246-4682 or [email protected] before applying.
Ineligible Organizations
- Individuals (must be a legal entity capable of entering binding agreements)
- Foreign organizations without Canadian operations
- Government departments or agencies (may participate as research partners but not as lead applicant)
- Organizations that have reached the $10M lifetime cap under the current SCAP period
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Funding Stack Strategy
Compatible programs, clawback risk, and combined funding potential
Compatible Programs
Clawback Risk
Low RiskSee which programs combine with this one — and how much more you could get. Unlock with Premium →
How AgriScience Program — Proje... Compares
Side-by-side with similar programs
| Program | Amount | Difficulty | Payment | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AgriScience Program — Projects Component | Up to $5,000,000 per project | Hard | Reimbursement | Ongoing |
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| Emissions Reduction Alberta (ERA) — I... | up to $15,000,000 | Hard | Reimbursement | 2026 round OPEN |
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