Federal government opens Agricultural Clean Technology Program intake

(Dan Ronceray/supplied)

The federal government held campaign-like events in several provinces this week to announce the opening of the application window for its $165.7-million Agricultural Clean Technology Program.

Different Liberal MPs hosted virtual visits in Ontario’s Port of Johnstown, B.C.’s Winecrush Technology Inc., and a Manitoba-based biomass grain dryer manufacturer, all highlighting the same program which will provide farmers and agri-businesses with access to funding to help develop and adopt the latest clean technologies to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

The program includes the previously announced $50 million specifically for the purchase of grain dryers with reduced carbon emissions.

To be considered for funding, projects will have to have a total cost of at least $50 thousand. The government says it will cover up to 50 per cent of the cost with for-profit recipients, such as farms, and up to 75 per cent for not-for-profit recipients.

This funding, the government says, comes from proceeds collected through the carbon tax, the “price on pollution.”

There are two funding streams of the program, an Adoption Stream to support the purchase and installation of “proven clean technologies and solutions that show meaningful reductions in GHG emissions,” and the Research and Innovation Stream to support pre-market innovation including research, development, demonstration, and commercialization of agricultural clean technologies.

Applications will be accepted on a continuous basis until funding has been fully committed or otherwise announced by the program over the next five years.

The government has planned a two-step process for applying for these funding streams. As of this week, applicants can submit a Project Summary Form which will be used to screen potential projects. Proposals that meet the program’s priorities and criteria will then be eligible to submit a full project application.

For more information about eligibility and to apply, visit Agricultural Clean Technology Program: Research and Innovation Stream or Agricultural Clean Technology Program: Adoption Stream.

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