AgriInnovate: Up to $5M in Repayable Funding for Agri-Tech
A technology can be proven and still sit on the shelf because bringing it to market, showing it off at scale or installing it in a working operation costs more than a business can carry alone. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s AgriInnovate Program helps with that step: it provides repayable contributions to for-profit businesses that commercialize, demonstrate or adopt commercial-ready innovative technologies and processes in the agricultural and agri-food sector.
AgriInnovate is currently closed to applications. The program ends March 31, 2028, and any future intake will be announced by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.
What is AgriInnovate?
AgriInnovate is part of the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP) and is delivered by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC). Its aim is to increase the competitiveness and sustainability of the agricultural and agri-food sector through commercial-ready innovation.
On the innovation continuum, it covers the stages from technology demonstration through technology adoption. It does not fund research or prototype development: the technology has to be ready before the project starts.
Priority areas include advanced manufacturing, automation, robotics and digitization. Projects that produce products or services that benefit other agri-based organizations rank higher than adoption projects whose benefits go mainly to the applicant.
AgriInnovate at a glance
| Detail | AgriInnovate Program |
|---|---|
| Funding amount | Up to $5M |
| Program type | Loan |
| Level | Federal |
| Where it applies | Canada-wide |
| Status | Closed |
| Deadline | Closed to applications. The program ends March 31, 2028; any future intake will be announced by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. AAFC aims to decide within 100 business days of receiving a complete application. |
| What it funds | Commercialization / Market Launch, Product Demonstration / Pilot, Productivity / Automation / Equipment |
| Industries | Biotech & Agriculture, Food & Beverages |
| Company stage | Startup, Growth, Expansion, Established |
| Payment model | Reimbursement |
| Matching funds required | Yes |
| Competition level | High |
How much funding is available?
The AAFC contribution toward a project will normally not exceed $5,000,000. This is not a grant: the money is a repayable contribution, paid as a reimbursement of eligible costs.
Contributions are interest-free. They are repaid over up to 10 years after the project is completed, normally starting 1 year after completion. Small enterprises, start-ups and emerging innovators may be offered conditional repayment, where repayment is triggered only when revenue passes a threshold.
- Your share: must be paid in cash; in-kind contributions are ineligible.
- Under-represented groups: AAFC may add 10% to its cost share (AAFC 60%, you 40%) where more than 50% of the organization is owned or led by under-represented groups.
- Stacking limit: total government funding normally cannot exceed 75% of eligible costs, or 100% for Indigenous applicants.
- Marketing: limited marketing costs are eligible, up to 20% of total eligible costs.
Who is eligible?
Your organization
- A for-profit organization incorporated in Canada: businesses and corporations, cooperatives, and Indigenous businesses that are corporations or cooperatives.
- A legal entity able to enter into a legally binding agreement.
The project
- It commercializes, demonstrates or adopts an innovative agricultural, agri-food or agri-based technology or process that is new to the Canadian sector and a significant improvement over what is in use.
- The innovation is commercially ready: prototype and pilot-scale testing are complete, generally TRL 7 or above. Adoption projects must involve significant adaptation or customization.
- It brings significant benefits to the agricultural or agri-food sector beyond those that accrue mainly to your company.
The costs
- Eligible: capital costs (machinery, equipment and software, installed; buildings and construction case by case), contracted services, salaries and benefits, and limited marketing.
- Not eligible: research costs, travel, land, hospitality, regulatory compliance costs, post-launch operating costs, and costs incurred before a complete application is submitted.
When and how to apply
AgriInnovate is closed to applications and is not accepting submissions now. The program ends March 31, 2028, and any future intake will be announced by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.
When it does take applications, the process has two stages: a project summary form first, then a full application by invitation only. Costs incurred before a complete application is submitted are not eligible. AAFC aims to decide within 100 business days of receiving a complete application.
The status of AgriInnovate Program in EVAMAX Grant AI™ is currently Closed. Open the program there and choose “Remind me” to be told when it changes.
Is AgriInnovate right for you?
AgriInnovate suits for-profit agri-food and agri-tech companies with a tested, commercial-ready innovation that is new to the Canadian sector and will benefit others in it, and that can put up their share in cash. Because the money is repaid, plan for repayment starting about a year after the project ends, and watch for an intake announcement from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada before the program ends.
Next steps: look up AgriInnovate Program in EVAMAX Grant AI™ to see its live status and other programs that fit your company, or talk to EVAMAX about building your application.
Program details are from the EVAMAX Grant AI™ record as of October 19, 2026. Programs change — confirm current terms on the official program page before you apply.