Canadian Agricultural Strategic Priorities Program

Eligibility

Who is eligible

Not-for profit organizations that are incorporated in Canada.

They can include:

• not-for profit organizations and associations, cooperatives, marketing boards
• Indigenous groups

Note: Eligible applicants must be legal entities that are capable of entering into legally binding agreements.

Scope of projects

The Canadian Agricultural Strategic Priorities Program  will only consider projects that are Canadian or sector-wide in scope.

To demonstrate this scope, applicants must make sure that the project:

• involves or is supported by groups or individuals that represent the targeted agriculture and agri-food sector (Canadian or sector-wide)
• ultimately benefits the stakeholders of the targeted agriculture and agri-food sector, and both public and private participants in the entire sector

Eligible applicants under CASPP are:

• not-for-profit organizations including associations, cooperatives and marketing boards
• Indigenous groups

* Note: normally for-profits are not eligible but may be considered for funding in situations where the benefit will be accrued through the entire sector or significant benefits can be accrued to public safety and/or the public good.

Preference

Preference will be provided to applications that are in partnership with entities that serve the aims of the project's proposed result.

Partnerships with for-profit organizations are permissible provided the benefit accrues broadly to the sector.

Note: Eligible applicants must be legal entities capable of entering into legally binding agreements.

Summary

Funding is up to $1MM per project with AAFC covering 50%-75% of project costs. Matching funds may come from government/industry funding sources. 

CASPP is designed to support the Canadian agricultural sector's participation in the Government of Canada's growth and policy objectives, and larger initiatives by investing in the sector's design, development and implementation tools and strategies to respond to and seize on opportunities created by these objectives.

CASPP is a $10 million per year program of non-repayable contribution funding.

Program objective

CASPP's objective is to facilitate the Canadian agricultural sector's ability to seize opportunities, to respond to new and emerging issues, and to find and assess solutions to new and ongoing issues in order to remain competitive. In particular, CASPP will consider projects within the following 4 priority areas:

1. Adaptation to new technology
2. Environmental sustainability
3. Strategic planning and capacity building
4. Emerging issues

Pre-application deadlines

RSO internal deadline

Application deadlines

RSO detailed review deadline

RSO final internal review deadline

Program application deadline

NOTE: Consult your Faculty Associate Dean (Research) (ADR) regarding Faculty-specific deadlines and submission processes.

Principal Investigators: Complete a Research Management System (RMS) record, including a copy of your complete application, and submit this for approvals in RMS.

Postdocs, students, and trainees: For fellowships and externally-sponsored research training awards or opportunities, you must complete the Research Funding Application Approval (RFAA) Trainee PDF form, and submit it, along with a complete copy of the application, to Research Services at rsotrainee@ucalgary.ca. Trainees should not use RMS at this time.

Approvals: The University of Calgary requires that all funding applications be approved prior to submission. Approval requires signatures via either RMS or the RFAA Trainee form, in the following order:

• Principal Investigator
• Department Head
• Faculty ADR/Dean
• Research Services (on behalf of the Vice-President Research)

Read the Meaning of Grant Signatures policy to understand what your approval means. Please see the agency guidelines for details about which signatures are required on your application, as it may differ from internal requirements.

Late submissions: Late submissions will only be accepted in cases of medical or family emergencies, or other exceptional circumstances. If you submit your RMS record to Research Services after the internal deadline has passed, you must secure additional approvals. Please read: Late Applications Process.

Complete and submit your application

1. Access your program information
2. Choose a secure sign-in method
3. Sign in (or Sign up)
4. Start a new application process

The Canadian Agricultural Strategic Priorities Program (CASPP) has a 2-stage intake process involving:

• Stage 1: Pre-Screening
• Stage 2: Application

Stage 1: Pre-Screening

To pre-screen:

1. Download the CASPP Pre-screening summary to your computer
2. Complete and save the summary on your computer
3. Upload the summary
4. Complete the Pre-screening details
5. Submit your Pre-screening summary

If your Pre-screening summary is deemed to meet the priorities of the program, you will be invited to proceed to stage 2 of the application process.

If you need help to complete and submit the Pre-screening summary, please refer to Annex A: How to complete the application or contact the program.

Stage 2: Application

If you are invited to stage 2 of the application process, you will have access to complete the CASPP Full Application Form online.

An invitation to submit a full application does not constitute an offer of funding.

Applications will be assessed based on information provided in the Full Application Form.

Applications will be accepted on a continuous basis from the launch of the program until funding has been fully committed or for projects with end dates on or before March 31, 2024.