Agricultural Research and Innovation Program
The Agricultural Research and Innovation Program supports applied research and innovation activities. It also supports on-farm trials that are intended to improve production, productivity, profitability, competitiveness and sustainability of Nova Scotia’s agricultural sectors.
Offered by Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture
Amount
Up to 85% funding assistance on total eligible project costs to a maximum of $50,000 per program year; maximum of $150,000 per applicant over the life of the Sustainable CAP program (2023-2028)
Quick eligibility check
Who can apply
Research and innovation
To be eligible, you must be a:
- Nova Scotia Post-Secondary Institution
- Agricultural Industry Association
- industry organization
- Crown Corporation
- government department
On-farm
To be eligible, you must be a:
- farm
- Agricultural Industry Association
- industry organization
Research • Nova Scotia Post-Secondary Institution • Agricultural Industry Association • Industry Organizations • Crown Corporations • Government Departments On-Farm Trials • Registered Farms • Agricultural Industry Association • Industry Organizations Program Criteria This program supports applied research by institutions, industry organizations and farms to advance Nova Scotia’s agricultural industry in one or more Sustainable CAP priority areas:
- Building Sector Capacity, Growth and Competitiveness • Market Development and Trade • Science, Research and Innovation • Climate Change and Environment • Resiliency and Public Trust Research and Innovation These projects support applied research partnerships led by researchers that show industry participation and endorsement. Research partners and contact names must be included on the application.
On-Farm Trials These farmer or industry organization-led demonstration trials will evaluate new farm technologies or practices that will lead to enhanced economic and environmental sustainability.
Key Priorities:
- sector driven field and farm trials
- innovative equipment trials
- soil and water management enhancement trials
Note: Farm applicants interested in testing new-to-Nova Scotia technologies should apply to Stream 2 of the Technology Adoption Program.
Industry is expected to provide at least 15% in-kind and cash contributions towards the project.
Applications with in-kind industry contributions only may be considered if there is clear evidence of industry priority. Industry contribution will be considered when evaluating the project.
About the funding
Applicants are eligible for up to 85% funding assistance on total eligible project costs to a maximum of $50,000 per program year. The maximum amount of funding an applicant can receive over the life of the Sustainable CAP program (2023-2028) is $150,000.
Multi-year projects are eligible for a maximum of 2 years.
The following items are eligible in this program, and must be directly related to the execution of the approved project:
Expense Category Types of Eligible Expense
Show all funding details
Incremental salaries, wages • post doctorate or graduate students Subcontracted services • custom work Professional fees • outside consultants justified as essential to the project (must be hired specifically to ensure delivery of the project) Knowledge transfer • communication materials (pamphlets, on-site events, conference fees)
- hosting of extension events (e.g. facility rentals,
audio and visual equipment rentals)
- Student travel to research conferences where the
funded research will be presented, subject to pre- approval Specialized equipment rental • equipment rental (specific to approved project) Specialized equipment • specific to the approved project purchases Materials and supplies • lab supplies
- consumables specific to the approved project
Travel to research sites • fuel/mileage Overhead (up to ten percent of • accounting and legal expenses total approved expenses) • administrative wages
- licence fees
- office supplies
Note: The non-recoverable portion of HST may be claimed as an eligible cost for non-profit organizations. Applicants must provide documentation confirming their eligibility for HST reimbursement at the time of the application, and any HST amounts must be included in the project budget.
Similar programs
| Program | Type | Amount | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Advanced Manufacturing Technology Assessments | Grant | Up to $50,000 | Open |
| AgriScience Program – Projects | Grant, In-Kind Support | Up to $5 million per project and $10 million per applicant over the program's duration (2023 to 2028) | Open |
| Canadian Agricultural Strategic Priorities Program | Grant, Loan | AAFC contribution normally not exceeding $1 million per project, generally not more than $5 million over 5 years for each applicant | Open |
| FinDev Technical Assistance and advisory | Grant, In-Kind Support | No fixed amount | Open |
