Have you heard about the Agricultural Clean Technology Program?

As part of the Government of Canada’s strengthened climate plan, the new Agricultural Clean Technology (ACT) Program supports the development and adoption of clean technology for sustainable growth in Canada’s agriculture and agri-food sector.

The Program offers support under two streams: the Research and Innovation Stream and the Adoption Stream. The innovation continuum begins with the pre-market activities of basic and applied research, development and demonstration; followed by the commercialization of new technology, including scale up activities; which are all supported under the Research and Innovation Stream. The continuum ends with technology adoption (purchasing and installation) which is supported by the Adoption Stream.

Note: Image and description taken from Agricultural Clean Technology Program: Research and Innovation Stream: Applicant Guide

Research and Innovation Stream

The Research and Innovation Stream supports pre-market innovation, including research, development, demonstration and commercialization activities to expand current technologies. The three priority areas for the program are 1) Green energy and energy efficiency, 2) Precision agriculture and 3) Bioeconomy.

For specific examples, check out the Applicant Guide.

Eligible activities under the Research and Innovation Stream include:

  • Applied research and development of clean technologies
  • Piloting and evaluating clean technologies
  • Demonstration and knowledge and technology transfer activities
  • Commercializing and scaling up clean technologies
  • Other activities that support the Research and Innovation Stream as determined by the program
Eligible applicants for the Research and Innovation Stream are for-profit organizations, including agri-food processors, not-for-profit organizations, including co-operatives, and Indigenous groups. Individuals cannot apply to this program.

Funding and cost-sharing:

Contributions will be non-repayable for research, development and demonstration activities and repayable where activities involve commercialization and scale-up. The maximum amount payable to a recipient will generally not exceed $2 million per project and the maximum amount payable to a recipient with multiple projects will generally not exceed $5 million.

Eligible project costs will normally be a maximum contribution of 50% from the program and a minimum contribution of 50% from the applicant; however, a more favourable cost-share ratio (60:40) may be available for under-represented groups.

How to Apply:

Step 1 is completing the Project Summary Form. It will help applicants determine the project’s eligibility and alignment with the program’s criteria and priorities, prior to preparing a project application package (Step 2). This initial step will also facilitate a discussion between the applicant and program staff about the project.

Here is the link for the forms and additional information.

Adoption Stream 

TheAdoption Stream will support the purchase and installation of commercially available clean technologies and processes with a priority given to those that show evidence of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and other environmental co-benefits. Funding will be specifically allocated towards projects under the priority of green energy and energy efficiency. There is a maximum contribution of 50% from the program for For-Profit operations and up to 75% for Not-For Profit organizations.

Eligible activities under the Adoption Stream include, but are not limited to, on-farm and agri-food sector investments in the adoption of:

  • energy efficiency improvements that enable better management of energy intensive agricultural processes,
  • precision agriculture that contributes to more precise, and reduced input use,
  • bioeconomy solutions that use agricultural waste and by-products to generate energy or create bio-products,
  • other priorities and activities that support the objective of the Adoption Stream
For specific examples, check out the Applicant Guide.

Eligible applicants for the Adoption Stream are for-profit organizations, including farm businesses and agri-food processors, not-for-profit organizations, including co-operatives, individuals, sole proprietors and Indigenous groups.

Funding and cost-sharing:

Contributions under the Adoption Stream will be non-repayable. The Adoption Stream will focus its support on projects valued at $50,000 or more of total eligible project costs. The maximum amount payable to a recipient will generally not exceed $2 million per project.

How to Apply:

Similar to the Research and Innovation Stream, Step 1 is completing the Project Summary Form. It will help applicants determine the project’s eligibility and alignment with the program’s criteria and priorities, prior to preparing a project application package (Step 2). This initial step will also facilitate a discussion between the applicant and program staff about the project.

Here is the link for the forms and additional information.