ACT Program – Research and Innovation Stream explained

Help for farmers and agri-business

The Agriculture Clean Technology (ACT) Program, introduced in Budget 2021, offers two streams for potential applicants. One of them—the ACT – Research and Innovation Stream—provides financial support to organizations engaged in pre-market innovation that focuses on green energy and energy efficiency, precision agriculture and the bio-economy.

Eligible activities, which must be carried out in Canada, include:

• Applied research and development of clean technologies
• Piloting and evaluating clean technologies
• Demonstration, 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

This stream will provide both non-repayable and repayable funding for commercialization and scale-up activities of up to $2 million for projects, and the government will normally cover 50 percent of the costs. This funding stream will be available from 2021 to 2028.

Who is eligible to apply?

How do I apply for the ACT program?

The government is now accepting applications for the ACT program – Research and Innovation Stream. Applicants must submit a project summary form, which will allow government staff to determine if the project is eligible, prior to completing the full application. Those that meet the program’s priorities and criteria may be invited to submit a full project application. Applications will be accepted on a continuous basis until funding has been fully committed or otherwise announced by the program. More details on the application process can be found on the program’s webpage.

Learn more about the ACT Program, as well as the ACT Program – Adoption Stream, by clicking on the links below.

Please reach out to your Grant Thornton advisor if you would like to learn how you and your business can benefit from this program.