BC Traceability Adoption Program (TAP)

Insider Tip

IAFBC explicitly warns that funding is limited and warned it would be fully committed quickly — and it was: the program is now closed for 2026/27. If a future window opens, have your application drafted, quotes secured, and your IAFBC portal account created before any future window opens so you can submit on opening day. The 'multi-use electronic device' restriction is important: a tablet or laptop cannot be the primary activity in an application; it must accompany a system (e.g., label printer + RFID reader + inventory software). Livestock and seafood/aquaculture businesses enjoy priority funding for a portion of the budget, so submit early regardless of sector. IAFBC offers free 10-minute pre-application consultation calls — book one to verify your project qualifies before drafting.

Rejection Pitfalls 8

• Expenses incurred before project approval (retroactive costs ineligible)
• Transactions with related parties (non-arm's-length vendors)
• Multi-use electronic device is the sole activity in the application

Success Profile

BC food, agriculture, or seafood businesses that process, package, or distribute products and need to upgrade their traceability systems — either to meet market requirements, regulatory compliance, or supply chain partner demands. Livestock and seafood producers are particularly well-served due to priority funding. Sector organizations looking to build industry-wide traceability infrastructure for their members are ideal Stream 2 applicants.

Evaluation Criteria

Applications are reviewed for completeness and eligibility by IAFBC staff within approximately 8 weeks. Livestock and seafood/aquaculture applicants receive priority. All other applications are funded first-come, first-served after priority targets are met. No competitive scoring panel — eligibility-based assessment only.

Application Steps

Required Documents 6

Eligible Expenses 7

• Consultant fees for traceability assessment, planning, implementation, or recall exercises
• Hardware purchase and installation (RFID/barcode tag readers, label printers, servers, connectivity equipment)
• Software purchase, licensing, and installation for traceability purposes
• Staff training by vendors or approved consultants on new traceability systems
• Incremental costs of multi-use electronic devices (e.g., tablet used as part of a broader system)
• Custom software development for traceability
• GS1 Canada initial registration fees

Ineligible Expenses 8

• GST and in-kind contributions
• Capital costs including vehicles, furnishings, land, and buildings
• Equipment modifications for capacity expansion (not traceability)
• Software maintenance, updates, and ongoing subscription fees
• Ongoing operational costs
• Consumables (ear tags, labels, ink, printer supplies)
• Pre-approval purchases (retroactive reimbursement not permitted)
• Multi-use electronic devices as the sole project activity

Intake Periods

2026/27 window: drafting opened May 12, 2026; submissions opened June 2, 2026 and the program is now closed for 2026/27 (funding committed). Program period runs to 2028 — watch bciaf.ca for any future window.

Deadline Notes

IAFBC lists TAP as closed for 2026/27 (funding fully committed, as warned). Approved applicants must complete projects within 3 months of approval or by January 31, 2027, whichever is first. Watch bciaf.ca/programs for a future window.

Open Application Portal →

Ineligible Organizations

• Restaurants
• Health and nutrition supplement businesses
• Pet food handlers
• Tobacco sector organizations and businesses
• National (non-BC) organizations (Stream 2)
• Food charities (Stream 2)
• Private for-profit businesses (Stream 2 only — eligible for Stream 1)

Compatible Programs

Clawback Risk

Low Risk

Low clawback risk as reimbursement is only issued after project completion and invoice submission. If project is incomplete, IAFBC may decline to reimburse. Maintain records for 3 years as projects may be audited.