AgriAssurance Program — Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises
Highlights
This program is designed specifically for small and medium-sized businesses like yours. It offers up to $50,000 in funding per project, with a total cap of $100,000 for multiple projects. This funding is a 50/50 cost-share, meaning the government will match your cash contributions dollar for dollar. This can significantly reduce your financial burden while allowing you to invest in essential assurance systems.
Key Benefits
- Increase and diversify exports: Access new markets where Canada has Free Trade Agreements.
- Meet market and regulatory requirements: Develop and verify assurance systems for food safety, animal welfare, environmental sustainability, and more.
- Enhance credibility: Make verifiable claims about the health, safety, and quality of your products.
By participating in this program, you can improve your business's resilience and public trust, making it easier to compete both domestically and internationally. The application process is straightforward, and as a qualifying business, you have a great chance of being approved.
Financing Details
Type of Financing: Grant
Repayment Terms and Interest Rates:
- No repayment is required. This is a non-repayable grant.
Eligible Expenses:
- Development and adoption of assurance systems.
- Tools to make verifiable claims to meet market requirements.
- Costs related to food safety, plant and animal health surveillance, animal welfare, environmental sustainability, traceability, market attributes, and quality standards.
Ineligible Expenses:
- In-kind contributions.
- Any expenses not directly related to the development and adoption of assurance systems.
Fees:
- There are no fees associated with this grant program.
Qualifications
- Must be a small or medium-sized enterprise (SME).
- Must be involved in the agriculture and agri-food sector.
- Must be looking to adopt assurance systems and tools to make verifiable claims to meet export market requirements or domestic markets for Indigenous Peoples.
- Must be able to provide a minimum of 50% cash contributions towards eligible project costs.
Must be planning to increase and diversify exports to markets where Canada has Free Trade Agreements in place.
Disqualifications:
- In-kind contributions are ineligible for cost-sharing.
Description
This program offers your business a chance to receive up to $50,000 in funding. If you have multiple projects, the total funding can go up to $100,000. This money can be used to adopt assurance systems and tools that help you make verifiable claims about your products. This is crucial for meeting market requirements, especially if you are looking to export.
The funding is shared 50/50 between you and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC). This means AAFC will cover up to 50% of eligible costs, while you cover the remaining 50% with cash contributions. Note that in-kind contributions are not eligible.
By participating in this program, you can increase and diversify your exports, improve your product's credibility, and meet both domestic and international market standards. This can help you gain trust and expand your business in markets where Canada has Free Trade Agreements.
Program Steps
Gather Required Documentation:
- Business registration documents
- Financial statements (balance sheets, income statements)
- Business plan
- Project proposal detailing the assurance systems and tools to be adopted
- Quotes or estimates for project costs
- Proof of cash contributions for cost-sharing
Complete the Application Form:
- Access the application form on the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) website.
- Fill out all required fields with accurate and detailed information about your business and project.
Prepare a Detailed Project Proposal:
- Outline the assurance systems and tools you plan to adopt.
- Explain how these systems will help meet market requirements and enhance export capabilities.
- Include timelines, milestones, and expected outcomes.
Submit the Application:
- Upload the completed application form and all required documentation to the AAFC online portal.
- Ensure all documents are clear and legible.
Review and Confirmation:
- After submission, monitor your email for confirmation of receipt from AAFC.
- Be prepared to provide additional information if requested by AAFC during their review process.
Await Approval:
- The AAFC will review your application and project proposal.
- They may contact you for further clarification or additional documents.
Finalize Funding Agreement:
- If approved, review the funding agreement provided by AAFC.
- Sign and return the agreement to finalize the funding process.
Implement the Project:
- Begin implementing the assurance systems and tools as outlined in your project proposal.
- Keep detailed records of all expenses and progress.
Submit Progress Reports:
- Periodically submit progress reports to AAFC as required.
- Include updates on milestones, outcomes, and financial expenditures.
Complete the Project:
- Upon project completion, submit a final report detailing the results and benefits achieved.
- Ensure all financial documentation is accurate and complete for final review by AAFC.