Guide · updated October 19, 2026
Federal innovation funding in Canada
Written from the official program pages and checked against them: every amount and date here appears on a source page. CashRadar is an independent service and is not affiliated with the Government of Canada or any provincial government.
This guide covers five government funding programs administered by the Government of Canada, designed to support organizations working in agriculture, technology, tourism, and regional development.
AgriInnovate Program
The AgriInnovate Program provides repayable contributions to for-profit businesses to commercialize, demonstrate, or adopt commercial-ready innovative technologies and processes that increase the competitiveness and sustainability of the agriculture and agri-food sector. The program ends on March 31, 2028, and is currently closed to applications. The maximum contribution toward a project will normally not exceed $5,000,000, with an increased cost-share ratio available for organizations predominantly owned or led by under-represented groups.
Canadian Agricultural Strategic Priorities Program
The Canadian Agricultural Strategic Priorities Program offers grants to help sector-based organizations, such as national or regional not-for-profit associations, identify and advance strategic opportunities that foster innovative ideas and strengthen sector-wide competitiveness. Applications are accepted on a continuous basis until March 31, 2029, or until funding is fully committed, and all projects must be completed by that date. Recipients generally receive funding of not more than $5 million over 5 years for each project.
Appui aux festivals de la région du Grand Montréal
Appui aux festivals de la région du Grand Montréal provides financial assistance to festivals in the Greater Montreal region to support international marketing and product development, aiming to increase tourism and showcase events that attract visitors from outside Quebec. Eligible organizations receive funding for the 2025 and 2026 editions based on total attendance and international tourist appeal, with amounts ranging from $50,000 to $700,000. There is a continuous intake with no fixed deadline, and the assistance provided must be complementary to funding from other sources.
AgriScience Program – Clusters
The AgriScience Program – Clusters supports industry, government, and academia partnerships through non-repayable contributions and collaborative research assistance from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada scientists. This program focuses on pre-commercial science activities and research that benefits the agriculture and agri-food sector and Canadians by addressing priority national themes and horizontal issues. The program is currently closed to applications and offers funding up to $5,000,000 through different options for research activities and collaborative support.
Regional Quantum Initiative
The Regional Quantum Initiative provides funding between $500,000 and $5,000,000 to incorporated businesses and not-for-profit organizations to support the commercialization of quantum products and solutions, such as quantum computing, sensors, communications, and materials. Businesses receive repayable contributions, while not-for-profit organizations receive non-repayable contributions for non-commercial projects. This initiative is part of the National Quantum Strategy and Regional Economic Growth through Innovation program.
Which one fits
These programs cater to distinct sectors and entity types across Canada. If your focus is agriculture, food, or science research, four options serve that space differently: the AgriInnovate Program targets for-profit businesses adopting commercial-ready technologies; the Canadian Agricultural Strategic Priorities Program assists sector-based not-for-profit organizations with strategic initiatives; the AgriScience Program – Clusters supports collaborative research partnerships involving industry and academia; and the Regional Quantum Initiative focuses specifically on quantum technologies for incorporated businesses and not-for-profits.
For activities outside of agriculture, the options diverge by sector and geography. Festivals in the Greater Montreal region seeking support for international marketing and product development can look to Appui aux festivals de la région du Grand Montréal. Meanwhile, organizations working in quantum technology across domestic and global markets can apply to the Regional Quantum Initiative, which structures its funding as either repayable or non-repayable depending on whether the recipient is a commercial business or a not-for-profit organization.
Before you apply
Program terms, deadlines, and eligibility criteria can change. Confirm all details, application guidelines, and intake statuses directly on the official program pages before preparing a submission.
CashRadar identifies potential matches. Final eligibility is determined by the program administrator.