Knowledge Creation and Transfer Stream

Description

The Knowledge Creation and Transfer stream aims to accelerate the pre-commercialization of new agri-practices, products and processes by supporting activities that:

  • help the development of strategic business planning related to science and research to foster innovation and leadership;
  • increase the access to and support collaboration and planning by stakeholders that are engaged in developing or expanding agricultural value chains; or
  • increase the access of individual agri-based organizations to support for applied science and technology development projects.

The Knowledge Creation and Transfer stream facilitates access to university, government and other scientific resources that may be required by agri-based organizations to address specific issues or opportunities.

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's (AAFC) network of research facilities across Canada will support local collaborations and accelerate the uptake of technologies at the farm level.

Two components are available under the Knowledge Creation and Transfer stream:

Component 1 - Innovation Strategy Development

The Innovation Strategy Development component will encourage the development and identification of new market opportunities. For example, it will support new collaboration and planning of science-based research activities at a local level by stakeholders to create and expand agriculture, agri-food and agri-based value chains that will develop new or expand existing innovative opportunities and the development of strategic business planning to foster innovation and leadership.

Component 2 - Implementation of Applied Science and Technology Development Projects

The Implementation of Applied Science and Technology Development Projects component will encourage the transformation of innovative ideas into new agri-products, practices and processes by helping the private sector access applied science research and development resources.

Maximum Funding and/or Support

Applicants must determine and communicate clearly their requested funding and/or support under this program.

Not-for-profit organizations may target up to 75% of eligible project costs and for-profit organizations may target up to 50% of eligible project costs. The percentage of assistance requested by the applicant must be the same for research work performed under a Contribution Agreement (CA) and under a Collaborative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA). The maximum funding and/or support to any eligible project will not exceed $4 million, and the maximum funding and/or support per recipient will not exceed $10 million over the life of the Agricultural Innovation Program (AIP).

Total federal, provincial/territorial and municipal government funding and/or support, should not exceed 75% of total eligible project costs. The remaining eligible costs must be met through a cash contribution from non-government organizations.

Applicants cannot use in-kind contributions to cover part of the eligible costs of a project. Projects with a higher ratio of non-government funds may be given preference.

The level of federal assistance requested under this program will be assessed against the level of risk and the impact of the project on the primary sector.

Eligible Costs

Eligible costs are costs that are incurred by the recipient and which, in the opinion of the Minister, are reasonable, incremental, and required to carry out the eligible activities to which they relate. Eligible costs include:

  • goods and services and all related shipping and transportation costs;
  • labour including wages/salaries and benefits, specific per diem fees, and contract/consulting costs;
  • rental or lease of facilities, equipment or machinery;
  • the purchase of capital items, such as equipment and furnishings; materials/consumables needed to undertake the project;
  • licenses and permits; costs of work related to compliance with the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act;
  • reasonable travel and hospitality costs based on Treasury Board guidelines as a comparative standard;
  • production of materials required to fulfill obligations under the agreement, including translation; overhead costs when it can be clearly demonstrated they constitute incremental costs that cannot be absorbed by the recipient (to be considered on a case-by-case basis); and
  • other reasonable costs directly related to the project, at the discretion of the Minister.

Ineligible Costs

Ineligible costs include:

  • in-kind contributions;
  • building purchase, renovation, site improvement, leasehold improvements and construction costs;
  • capital items not specifically required for the execution of the project;
  • refundable portion of the Goods and Services Tax/Harmonized Sales Tax, value-added taxes, or other items for which a refund or rebate is received;
  • travel and hospitality costs deemed excessive compared to Treasury Board guidelines or gifts associated with the hosting of events;
  • costs related to Canadian federal government departments and agencies such as fees paid to the Plant Breeders Rights Office and Canadian Intellectual Property Office; and
  • any other expenditure not specifically listed as eligible or otherwise approved to be eligible.

Reporting Requirements

Successful applicants will provide financial and performance reporting on their activities in the form of periodic updates and status reports as required under the terms and conditions of their agreement with AAFC. These reports must include non-confidential activity summaries written for a general audience using plain language that may be used for communication purposes.

Intellectual Property

In order to facilitate future use and potential commercialization of the new intellectual property, of any intellectual property subsequently developed using that intellectual property, or of the new intellectual property as bundled with necessary background intellectual property, applicants must agree that they will avoid joint or divided ownership of new intellectual property or of the bundled intellectual property rights that arise from the funded or otherwise supported project. If this is not feasible, then applicants will be required to provide a workable alternative that assures accountability and responsibility for the effective utilization of new intellectual property.

AAFC may include a provision in the agreement that a non-exclusive and royalty-free license is granted to Canada to enable it to use the intellectual property for research and development, and/or for publication purposes.