Agricultural Clean Technology Program: Research and Innovation Stream

Overview of the Agricultural Clean Technology Program: Research and Innovation Stream program:

The Agricultural Clean Technology (ACT) Program – Research and Innovation Stream is part of a broader $495.7 million federal initiative aimed at reducing the environmental footprint of Canadian agriculture. Administered by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), this stream focuses on advancing the development, commercialization, and adoption of clean technologies in the sector through targeted investments. The program encourages innovation in three priority areas: green energy and energy efficiency, precision agriculture, and bioeconomy solutions. It is designed to support pre-market innovation activities like applied research, piloting, and demonstration of technologies before full commercialization. This funding enables stakeholders to bridge the gap between research and market readiness, ensuring that environmentally beneficial technologies are scaled and adopted within the agricultural and agri-food value chains. Applicants can include for-profit and not-for-profit organizations, Indigenous groups, academic institutions, and research bodies. Eligible project activities may include designing prototypes, conducting trials and validations, or developing new methods and systems that improve resource efficiency and reduce carbon intensity. Through this funding stream, AAFC aims to bolster Canada's commitment to net-zero emissions by 2050, enhancing environmental stewardship while fostering competitiveness and resilience in the agri-food sector. The program supports collaborations across academia, industry, and Indigenous communities, prioritizing those initiatives that show strong potential to reduce greenhouse gases and improve the sustainability of Canada’s agricultural production systems.

Benefits of the Agricultural Clean Technology Program: Research and Innovation Stream program:

• Financial support of up to $2 million per project to develop and validate clean agricultural technologies.
• Encourages collaboration between industry, researchers, and Indigenous organizations.
• Prioritizes innovation in green energy, precision agriculture, and the bioeconomy.
• Helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve energy and nutrient efficiency, and strengthen environmental performance.
• Enables pre-market innovation, moving ideas from prototype to demonstration.
• Offers greater funding ratios for Indigenous and non-profit applicants (up to 75%).
• Aligns with Canadas broader climate commitments, including net-zero by 2050.

Eligibility criteria of the Agricultural Clean Technology Program: Research and Innovation Stream program:

• Applicants must:
• Be a legal entity operating in Canada, including:
• For-profit businesses
• Not-for-profit organizations
• Indigenous organizations and groups
• Academic institutions
• Research institutions
• Demonstrate capacity to manage the project and co-fund remaining project costs.
• Submit a comprehensive project proposal that aligns with one or more of the programs priority areas:
• Green energy and energy efficiency
• Precision agriculture
• Bioeconomy (e.g., waste valorization, bioproducts)
• Projects must be pre-commercial, focusing on applied research, pilot testing, or demonstration of clean technology.
• Applicants must provide letters of support from collaborators or partners (if applicable).