Agricultural Clean Technology (ACT) Program: Which Stream Should You Apply To?

Agricultural Clean Technology (ACT) Program: Which Stream Should You Apply To?

If you run a farm or agri-food business and want funding to cut emissions or improve energy efficiency, the Agricultural Clean Technology (ACT) Program is a major opportunity. But picking the right stream is important. The program has two main streams with very different goals, eligibility rules, and project types. Choosing the wrong one can cost you months of effort.

The ACT Program is delivered by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and is currently open at the federal level.

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What is the Agricultural Clean Technology Program?

The Agricultural Clean Technology (ACT) Program funds projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve energy efficiency, or support clean technology in Canada’s agriculture and agri-food sector. The program aims to help businesses adopt or develop clean technologies that lead to a more sustainable future. There are two main streams: the Adoption Stream and the Research and Innovation Stream.

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Understanding the Two ACT Program Streams

The ACT Program is split into two distinct streams:

• Adoption Stream
• Research and Innovation Stream

Both support clean technology in agriculture, but they fund very different stages of technology.

ACT Program — Adoption Stream: For Proven, Commercial Technology

The Adoption Stream is for farms and agri-food businesses that want to buy and install clean technology that already exists.

What this stream funds

• Purchase and installation of commercially available clean technologies
• Projects in one of three priority areas:
  • Energy efficiency improvements
  • Precision agriculture
  • Bioeconomy solutions
• Specific emphasis on:
  • More efficient grain dryers
  • Fuel switching initiatives

How much funding you can get

• $50,000 to $2,000,000
• Up to 50% of eligible project costs
• Funding is repayable

Who is eligible

• Farms and agri-businesses purchasing eligible equipment
• Projects must show reductions in:
  • Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions
  • Fertilizer emissions
  • Methane emissions
• Cash contributions only — in-kind contributions are not allowed
• Businesses owned by under-represented groups may qualify for a favourable cost-share. This includes Indigenous Peoples, women, youth 35 or under, and others. Attestation is required to prove eligibility.

This stream is a strong fit if your technology is already on the market and you are ready to install it now. GrantHub’s eligibility matcher makes it easier to compare programs by province and farm type.

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ACT Program — Research and Innovation Stream: For Pre-Market Technology

The Research and Innovation Stream supports organizations working on new or improved clean technologies that are not yet fully commercial.

What this stream funds

• Pre-market clean technology projects, including:
  • Research and development
  • Demonstration projects
  • Early-stage commercialization
• Projects must align with one of these priority areas:
  • Green energy and energy efficiency
  • Precision agriculture
  • Bioeconomy

How much funding you can get

• Up to $2,000,000
• Maximum 50% of total project costs
• Funding is non-repayable

Who is eligible

• Organizations engaged in agricultural clean technology innovation
• Not-for-profit organizations are eligible through the Accelerator under this stream
• Projects must clearly be pre-market, not standard equipment purchases

This stream is better suited to technology developers, industry groups, and organizations piloting or scaling new solutions.

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How to Choose the Right ACT Program Stream

Ask yourself these three questions:

1. Is the technology already commercially available?

   • Yes → Adoption Stream
   • No → Research and Innovation Stream

2. Are you buying equipment or developing technology?

   • Buying and installing → Adoption Stream
   • Developing, testing, or demonstrating → Research and Innovation Stream

3. Are you a farm business or an innovation-focused organization?

   • Farm or agri-business → Usually Adoption
   • Research or innovation organization → Research and Innovation

Choosing the right stream from the start improves your odds and speeds up approval.

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Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Applying to the Adoption Stream with experimental technology
  If the equipment is not commercially available, your application will likely be rejected.

• Ignoring the repayable nature of Adoption funding
  Adoption Stream funding must be repaid. Build this into your cash flow planning.

• Using in-kind contributions as matching funds
  Only cash contributions are eligible under the Adoption Stream.

• Weak emissions reduction evidence
  Applications must clearly show how your project reduces GHG, fertilizer, or methane emissions.

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FAQ

Q: Is the Agricultural Clean Technology Program funding repayable?
Yes, funding under the Adoption Stream is repayable. The Research and Innovation Stream funding is non-repayable.

Q: How much funding can my farm receive under the Adoption Stream?
Eligible projects can receive between $50,000 and $2,000,000, covering up to 50% of total project costs.

Q: What types of equipment are eligible for the Adoption Stream?
Eligible equipment includes commercially available clean technologies, with a strong focus on efficient grain dryers and fuel switching solutions.

Q: Can Indigenous- or women-owned farms receive a higher cost-share?
Yes. Businesses owned by under-represented groups may qualify for a favourable cost-share if they can attest to eligibility.

Q: Can in-kind contributions be used to match project costs?
No. Only cash contributions are eligible as matching funds under the Adoption Stream.

GrantHub tracks hundreds of active grant programs across Canada — check which ones match your business profile before you apply.

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See Also

• Does Your Agri-Tech or Agtech Startup Meet Technology Readiness Requirements?
• Is Your Agriculture or Agri-Food Project a Strategic Priority?
• How to Use Sector-Specific Funding to Grow Creative, Agriculture, and Export Businesses

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Next Steps

Choosing the right Agricultural Clean Technology Program stream means matching your project stage to the funding rules. If you are still unsure, reviewing multiple agriculture and clean tech programs side by side can clarify your options. GrantHub shows which federal and provincial programs fit your farm, technology, and location before you invest time in an application.