Agricultural Clean Technology (ACT) Program: Adoption Stream and Research and Innovation Stream

As part of the Canadian Federal 2021 Budget, the Agricultural Clean Technology (ACT) Program has received an additional $165 million. The program was originally scheduled to run from 2018-2021 on a budget of $25 million. However, the program has received more funding and opened an additional intake which will accept applications from June 1, 2023 until June 22, 2023.

The focus of the Agricultural Clean Technology (ACT) program is to help support the purchase and installation of cleantech as well as the research & development of clean agriculture technologies.

With this new additional funding top-up, the program has opened two funding streams:

1. The Adoption Stream: This funding stream helps support the purchase and installation of commercially available clean technologies and processes.
2. The Research and Innovation Stream: This funding for energy efficiency projects supports pre-market innovative R&D clean technologies projects and commercialization activities in the following three areas:
   1. Green energy and energy efficiency;
   2. Precision agriculture; and
   3. Bioeconomy.

Program Snapshot: Agricultural Clean Technology (ACT) Program

Funding Amount

Successful applicants can access up to 50-75% of project costs to a maximum $2M per project or $5M per applicant (with multiple projects).

Eligible Applicants for the Adoption Stream:

Applicants eligible for the ACT Adoption Stream include:

• For-profit organizations, including farm businesses and agri-food processors;
• Not-for-profit organizations, including co-operatives;
• Individuals, sole proprietors; or
• Indigenous groups.

Eligible applicants must be individuals (legal entities) capable of entering into legally binding agreements. All eligible applicants must be Canadian entities (incorporated in Canada) to secure a clean energy grant.

Ineligible applicants

Ineligible applicants for the ACT Adoption Stream include:

• Financial institutions;
• Crown corporations;
• Federal government departments and agencies; or
• Foreign governments.

Eligible Applicants for the Research and Innovation Stream:

Applicants eligible for the ACT Research and Innovation Stream include

• For-profit organizations, including agri-food processors;
• Not-for-profit organizations, including co-operatives; or
• Indigenous groups.

Eligible applicants must be legal entities capable of entering into legally binding agreements. Project work and activities must be carried out in Canada.

Ineligible applicants

Ineligible applicants for the ACT Research and Innovation Stream include:

• Financial institutions;
• Academic institutions;
• Crown corporations;
• Federal government;
• Foreign governments; or
• Individuals.

Eligible Activities

1. Projects eligible under the Adoption Stream:
   1. Green energy and energy efficiency;
   2. Precision agriculture; or
   3. Bioeconomy solutions.

Priority is given to applicants that are able to show evidence of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and other environmental co-benefits.

• Projects eligible under the Research and Innovation Stream:
  • 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; or
  • Other activities that support the Research and Innovation Stream as determined by the program.

Apply for the Agricultural Clean Technology (ACT) Program

This program is accepting applicants on an ongoing basis and is one of many agri-business government grants currently available. If your business meets the above eligibility criteria and you believe you have a suitable project, consider applying for the Adoption Funding Stream or the Research and Innovation Stream with Mentor Works.

Mentor Works’ team of government grant and loan application writers save our applicants an estimated 95% in time compared to writing applications in-house. Our team has been writing Agricultural Clean Technology (ACT) Program applications since the program opened in 2018. Apply for this grant with Mentor Works.