Two Sources of Grant Funding for Aspiring Farmers in Québec

From the development of the canola industry to the manufacturing of high-quality cereal products, Canada has proven itself to be a powerful force for farming — and it has the potential to be a global leader in plant-based proteins. Despite the many possibilities within this field, some Canadians struggle to make headway in the farming business. However, national and provincial funding opportunities are available specifically for agriculture. Aspiring farmers in Québec can pursue the two following grants to help jumpstart their funding.

Financial Support Program for Aspiring Farmers

The Government of Québec offers full-time and part-time grants for people under 40 who wish to launch a new agriculture business or get started on an existing farm. As the name suggests, the full-time grant provides between $20,000 and $50,000 to help farmers improve their farms.  The second option serves farmers who want to begin part-time start-ups and offers $10,000 to $25,000 in financial support. Both Québec farm grants also prompt recipients to receive agricultural and managerial training.

Prospective farmers should know that the amount they receive through this grant program is contingent on their training level. Individuals with more rigorous educational experience in agriculture are eligible for the most funding, while those with less training qualify for more modest amounts. Applicants must also fulfill the following eligibility criteria for the Government to consider them for a grant:

• Be 18 to 39 years old
• Be a resident of Québec
• Hold 20% or more of the farm’s shares
• Have at least one year of pertinent experience in agriculture
• Have an establishment or start-up project that can feasibly raise profits

Once one of these Québec agriculture grants is awarded, the recipient can use the funding to invest in equipment, land improvement projects, and other similar purchases.

Protein Industries Supercluster

Those pursuing agricultural careers in Québec can also obtain grant funding from the Government of Canada through the Innovation Superclusters Initiative (ISI). This program connects large and small businesses, academic institutions, and non-profit organizations into Superclusters to foster innovation in five key fields — advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, digital technology, oceans, and protein industries.

The Protein Industries Supercluster exists as an industry-led and non-profit group called Protein Industries Canada (PIC). This organization’s mission is to position Canada as a global leader in the plant-based protein industry. PIC focuses on enhancing food processing efforts and expanding the agri-food value chain to promote a self-sufficient protein ecosystem in the country.

To accomplish these goals, the Protein Industries Supercluster brings together Canadian corporations, research institutions, and universities to collaborate on projects that can revolutionize food processing while stimulating local economies and job markets. Additionally, it enables agriculture businesses to share their knowledge and innovation with partners, customers and markets that they may not otherwise have the means to access.

Funding from the Protein Industries Supercluster

The PIC provides financial support to companies whose activities affect the value stream or contribute to the four priority areas of its program — create, grow, make, and sell. The amount of funding awarded depends on how aligned the initiative is with PIC and ISI guidelines and its transformative value.

Although PIC may request projects to respond to specific challenges, companies can seek financial assistance for a plan at any time as long as it promotes the advancement of plant protein processing. Members must complete the following two components to apply for project funding:

• • Expression of Interest (EOI): After reviewing the eligibility requirements, companies draft an EOI of no more than ten pages, stating why they need financing. PIC staff can guide project consortia through the EOI if required.
  • Project Proposal: If the EOI is approved, PIC staff will invite the members to a conference call to discuss the project. The staff will assist in creating a proposal, which must be written in the provided Word and Excel templates and be fewer than 40 pages long.

Seek Additional Funding from Easly

If your enterprise receives funding from the Protein Industries Supercluster or other streams of the Innovation Superclusters Initiative, you can obtain grant financing from Easly. With our Capital-as-a-Service platform, businesses can accelerate their funding timeline for these grants.

Easly also finances other government grant and investment tax credit programs, such as the Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) tax credit refund. We enable pioneering companies that receive tax refunds and government grants for their efforts to bring these funds forward.

Once the organization sets up an account with us, they can obtain on-demand, non-dilutive funding through our online portal.

Get started today to learn more about our services and how we can help aspiring farmers in Québec and beyond.