Is Your Agriculture or Agri-Food Project a Strategic Priority?

Is Your Agriculture or Agri-Food Project a Strategic Priority?

Federal agriculture funding in Canada is not just about strong ideas—it’s about timing and alignment with national goals. Programs like the Canadian Agricultural Strategic Priorities Program (CASPP) support projects that address new challenges or opportunities for the sector, not routine upgrades or business-as-usual activities. If your agriculture or agri-food project fills a current gap, manages a risk, or opens a new opportunity for the Canadian sector, it may meet the definition of a strategic priority.

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What Counts as a Strategic Priority Under CASPP?

The Canadian Agricultural Strategic Priorities Program is managed by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC). Its goal is to help the agriculture and agri-food sector stay competitive by responding to emerging issues and testing new approaches.

CASPP does not fund individual farm expansion or routine equipment purchases. Instead, it supports projects that benefit the sector as a whole.

Core Strategic Priority Areas

Your project is more likely to be considered a strategic priority if it fits one or more of these objectives:

• Responding to emerging issues

  • Climate-related risks
  • Supply chain disruptions
  • Labour shortages
  • Animal or plant health threats

• Driving innovation

  • Piloting new technologies or practices
  • Testing new production or processing methods
  • Developing new tools, systems, or approaches

• Building sector capacity

  • Training and knowledge transfer
  • Data, standards, or best practices
  • Collaboration across regions or sub-sectors

• Improving competitiveness

  • New domestic or export market approaches
  • Adapting to regulatory or consumer changes
  • Reducing systemic costs or inefficiencies

If your project mainly benefits one business, it may not qualify. CASPP supports projects that benefit many producers, processors, or partners.

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Who Can Apply and How Much Funding Is Available?

CASPP funding is cost-shared and is mainly for organizations that can deliver sector-wide impact.

Eligible Applicants

Typical eligible applicants include:

• Not-for-profit organizations
• Indigenous organizations
• Industry associations
• Other organizations working in the agriculture or agri-food sector

Individual for-profit businesses usually participate as partners, not as lead applicants.

Funding Amounts and Cost Sharing

Under the Canadian Agricultural Strategic Priorities Program:

• Up to $1 million per project is available
• Funding covers:
  • Up to 50% of eligible project costs in most cases
  • Up to 75% for projects that are a high priority for the sector
• Applicants must provide their share as cash contributions
• In-kind contributions are not eligible
• Funding is delivered as a contribution, which may be repayable or non-repayable depending on the project agreement

Project scope, risk, and alignment with current priorities all affect funding levels.

If you’re unsure about eligibility, tools like GrantHub’s eligibility matcher can help you check if your organization and project align with federal agriculture programs.

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How Strategic Priority Is Assessed

AAFC does not use a fixed checklist. Instead, reviewers look at how well your project:

• Addresses a current or emerging sector challenge
• Aligns with federal agriculture priorities
• Benefits more than one organization
• Has strong industry support or collaboration
• Can be completed within the program’s timeframe

Projects that clearly explain why the issue matters now tend to do better than those focusing only on technical details.

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Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Calling a routine upgrade “innovative”
   Replacing standard equipment or expanding capacity is not usually strategic.

2. Focusing only on your organization’s benefit
   CASPP expects projects to have sector-wide impact, not just internal gains.

3. Missing the cost-share requirement
   Applications are often rejected if cash contributions are unclear or incomplete.

4. Applying without industry support
   Projects with partners, letters of support, or shared outcomes are stronger.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is the Canadian Agricultural Strategic Priorities Program only for new ideas?
Not always. Projects can build on earlier work but must address a new or emerging issue or apply an approach in a new way.

Q: Is CASPP funding repayable or non-repayable?
CASPP funding can be repayable or non-repayable. The terms depend on the project agreement.

Q: Can CASPP funding be combined with other agriculture grants?
Yes, sometimes. Total government assistance cannot exceed program limits. All sources must be disclosed.

Q: Are project intakes always open?
No. CASPP usually runs targeted intakes based on current priorities. Timing is important.

Q: Is CASPP funding taxable in Canada?
CASPP funding may be considered taxable income for Canadian tax purposes. Confirm the tax treatment with your accountant based on your organization’s structure and the Income Tax Act.

GrantHub tracks hundreds of active agriculture and agri-food programs across Canada—including federal, provincial, and sector-specific funding—so you can see what fits your project profile.

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Next Steps for Applicants

If your agriculture or agri-food project addresses a shared challenge or tests a new approach for the sector, it may meet the definition of a strategic priority under CASPP. The next step is to confirm your project’s alignment with current federal priorities and look for complementary programs. GrantHub can help you compare active agriculture funding programs and see where your project fits before you apply.

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See Also

• Loans vs Grants for Women in Agriculture: Key Differences Explained
• How to stack grants and loans without violating funding rules
• What Business Expenses Are Eligible Across Canadian Grants and Loans?

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