Updated March 2026 · Verified against Innovation Saskatchewan guidelines
▲ Growing Reimbursement Est. 2020
Grant Provincial Active

Saskatchewan Agtech Growth Fund (AGF)

Innovation Saskatchewan
Maximum Funding
Up to $450,000
Open (twice-yearly intakes)
Visit Official Program →
Difficulty
Moderate
Payment
Reimbursement
Trend
Growing
First-Timers
—
Co-Funding
30%
Saskatchewan Agtech Growth Fund (AGF) provides Up to $450,000 per project (30% of costs; $900,000 lifetime max). Up to $450,000 (30% of eligible costs; lifetime max $900,000) for Saskatchewan-based organizations leading agtech R&D projects. The program covers up to 30% of eligible costs. Open (twice-yearly intakes). (As of March 2026, verified against Innovation Saskatchewan program guidelines)

Eligibility & Details

What this program funds and who can apply

Free

Program Description

Up to $450,000 (30% of eligible costs; lifetime max $900,000) for Saskatchewan-based organizations leading agtech R&D projects. Industry partners must fund 50%+. Supports agricultural technology innovation to strengthen Saskatchewan's position as a global agtech leader.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Saskatchewan-based organization leading an agtech R&D project
  • Industry partners must fund 50%+ of project costs
  • Project must focus on agricultural technology innovation
  • Lifetime maximum of $900,000 per organization
Provinces
Saskatchewan
Industries
Agriculture Technology Food Beverage
Business Stage
Growth Established Expansion

Quick Assessment

Difficulty
Moderate
Competition
Moderate
Est. Hours
55h
First-Timer
Not rated

Funding Details

Amount
Up to $450,000 per project (30% of costs; $900,000 lifetime max)
Type
Grant
Level
Provincial
Co-Funding
Up to 30% of eligible costs
Deadline
Open (twice-yearly intakes)

Program Scorecard

Competition, effort, and approval at a glance

Hybrid
Competition
Moderate
Effort
~55 hours
Approval
Moderate
Accessibility
--/5
Competition
--/5
Approval Rate
--%
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What's in this Playbook

Everything you need to win AGF — $19

Not a marketing summary. The actual checklist, intel, and stack strategy reviewers look for.

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How to Win

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

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Insider Tip

Saskatchewan is Canada's agtech capital — lean into this in your application. Projects that solve real problems identified by Saskatchewan farmers or agri-businesses (not just technology looking for a problem) score highest. The $900K lifetime cap means you can come back for a second project if the first succeeds.

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Success Profile

Collaborative agtech R&D projects addressing real agricultural challenges — precision agriculture tools, crop monitoring systems, livestock management technology, food traceability solutions, or agricultural AI applications. Projects with strong Saskatchewan farm or agri-business partner engagement.

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Evaluation Criteria

Four primary dimensions: Strategic alignment with Saskatchewan's agricultural R&D priorities; Potential to address a specific industry-wide challenge experienced by Saskatchewan producers or agri-businesses; Novelty and innovativeness of the technological solution; Clear and feasible path to commercialization with sustainable long-term impact. Industry partner commitment (50%+ funding) and quality of customer letters of intent are key differentiators.

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Common rejection pitfalls, what winners look like, and exactly what reviewers score on
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Application Playbook

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

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Application Steps

1 Create smapply account and complete Eligibility Questionnaire Register at innovationsask.smapply.io and complete the AGF Eligibility Questionnaire to confirm your project and organization qualify.
2 Submit Expression of Interest (EOI) Prepare and submit a concise EOI by the intake deadline, describing the agricultural technology challenge, proposed solution, industry partners, and estimated budget.
3 Await shortlisting Innovation Saskatchewan reviews EOIs and invites shortlisted applicants to submit a full proposal. Shortlisting notification typically arrives within 4-6 weeks of intake close.
4 Develop full proposal Prepare a detailed R&D project plan including: methodology and milestones, full budget with industry co-investment evidence, letters of commitment from agricultural industry partners, team qualifications, and commercialization plan.
5 Optional preliminary feedback Innovation Saskatchewan encourages applicants to work with program staff to refine proposals before final submission. Submit a preliminary draft for feedback if uncertain about project fit.
6 Submit final full proposal Submit the complete proposal package via the smapply portal before the full proposal deadline.
7 Final review and decision Innovation Saskatchewan conducts technical and financial review. Expect decisions approximately 12-16 weeks after intake closes.
8 Contract signing and project launch Successful applicants receive a funding offer and execute the funding contract to initiate the project.

Required Documents 7

✓ Expression of Interest (EOI) form
✓ Full application (if invited)
✓ Agtech R&D project plan
✓ Budget with industry co-funding commitments
✓ Letters of commitment from agricultural industry partners
✓ Team expertise in agriculture and technology
✓ Commercialization plan for agtech innovation

Eligible Expenses 9

  • Digital agriculture software development including sensors and precision agriculture tools
  • Smart farm equipment development including robotics, machinery automation, and harvesting systems
  • Animal health technology R&D
  • Agrifood supply chain and traceability system development
  • Agricultural marketplace and fintech platform development
  • Incremental salaries for R&D and technical personnel
  • Contracted technical services and third-party testing
  • Consumable materials required for R&D activities
  • Intellectual property protection and technology transfer costs

Ineligible Expenses 6

  • Projects without a genuine agricultural technology focus
  • Routine business operations, overhead, or non-R&D activities
  • Projects where AGF contribution would exceed 30% of total project budget
  • Projects for organizations that have reached the $900,000 lifetime maximum
  • Capital equipment not required for the project duration
  • Marketing, commercialization, or distribution activities

Intake Periods

Twice yearly. Fall 2024 intake: opened September 30, 2024, closed October 31, 2024. Spring 2025 intake dates announced on innovationsask.ca. Monitor the AGF program page for current intake schedule.

Deadline Notes

Twice-yearly intake windows. Check Innovation Saskatchewan website for upcoming intake dates and EOI deadlines.

Open Application Portal →

Ineligible Organizations

  • Organizations not headquartered or primarily operating in Saskatchewan
  • Projects without active agricultural industry partners contributing at least 50% of budget
  • Projects seeking AGF contribution exceeding 30% of total project budget
  • Organizations that have reached the $900,000 lifetime cap
  • Projects without a genuine agricultural technology focus
  • Organizations pursuing routine commercial activities rather than R&D
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Funding Stack Strategy

Compatible programs, clawback risk, and combined funding potential

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Compatible Programs

AAFC AgriInnovate Program AgriScience Program — Projects Component NRC-IRAP Mitacs Protein Industries Canada SR&ED Tax Credits
Combined Funding Potential See your total funding potential

Clawback Risk

Medium Risk
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How AGF Compares

Side-by-side with similar programs

Free
Program Amount Difficulty Payment Deadline
Saskatchewan Agtech Growth Fund (AGF) Up to $450,000 Moderate Reimbursement Open (twice-yearly...
AgriScience Program — Projects Component Up to $5,000,000 per project Hard Reimbursement Ongoing
Mitacs Accelerate $15,000 per internship unit Easy Advance Payment Ongoing
Protein Industries Canada Supercluster up to $4M Hard Mixed (Advance + Reimb.) Ongoing
Strategic Response Fund (formerly Str... Up to $50 million Hard Mixed (Advance + Reimb.) Ongoing — continuous...

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Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers to the questions founders most often ask about AGF

Free
Can sole proprietors apply?
No. Must be a Saskatchewan-based incorporated organization (corporation, co-op, or non-profit) leading the project. Sole proprietors must incorporate to apply.
What's the typical award amount?
Most successful projects receive $150,000–$400,000. The maximum is $450,000 per project, but only if costs exceed $1.5M (30% of eligible costs).
When are intake windows?
Twice yearly — check Innovation Saskatchewan's website for exact dates. Intakes typically open in January and July with EOI deadlines 4–6 weeks before full application deadlines.
Do I need to pay upfront?
Yes. AGF is reimbursement-based — you pay project costs upfront and get reimbursed after project completion and audit. Industry partners must fund 50%+ upfront.
Why do applications fail?
Most fail due to weak industry partnership commitments (e.g., vague MOUs), projects without clear agricultural technology focus, or budgets exceeding the 30% contribution limit.

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