Clean Agri-Tech Accelerator (CATA) Program
NOW ACCEPTING LETTERS OF INTENT UNTIL AUGUST 19, 2026, AT 11:59PM EDT
The Clean Agri-Tech Accelerator (CATA) Program supports Canadian agri-food
and agri-tech SMEs that are advancing innovative pre-market technologies with strong
potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve environmental sustainability across Canada’s agriculture sector.
We’re looking for agri-tech and agri-food businesses in Canada ready to advance their clean, GHG reducing technologies and enhance the environmental sustainability of Project Partner operations. If that’s your organization, tell us about it.
What is CATA?
CATA offers non-repayable project-based funding to Canadian businesses in the agri-food and agri-technology sectors looking to advance pre-market, innovative clean technologies. With both funding and mentorship through Bioenterprise Canada’s Food & Agri-Tech Engine and its regional and national collaborators, CATA supports projects that will reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, enhance sustainability, and align with Canada’s environmental goals, fostering a more productive, sustainable, and competitive future for all Canadians.
Matching contributions up to $200,000 are available per eligible project.
Eligible projects must be able to:
- Meet the primary objectives of the CATA program; and
- Support the demonstration, validation, and advancement of an innovative technology that will reduce GHG emissions and enhance the environmental sustainability of an Eligible Project Partner’s operations.
Funding is only available for projects involving an Eligible Applicant and Eligible Project Partner. It can be used to cover validation and field testing, demonstration and piloting, knowledge sharing and technology transfer, partner and professional services, internal employee labour and other costs directly related to the project.
CATA is supported by up to $7-million Government of Canada investment under the Agricultural Clean Technology (ACT) Program Research and Innovation Stream – Accelerator (ACT Accelerator), delivered by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), which aims to advance the development of clean technology for adoption in agriculture across Canada.
CATA will be led and delivered by Bioenterprise Canada, in collaboration with project partners across Canada, including SVG Ventures | THRIVE, Zone AgTech, and the Canadian Agri-Food Automation and Intelligence Network (CAAIN).
Read the program launch announcement here.
Project eligibility
Eligible Applicants must be:
- For-profit or not-for-profit SMEs ready to advance innovative, pre-market clean technologies (TRL 6–8) toward commercialization (TRL 7–9) that will reduce GHG emissions and enhance environmental sustainability of the Project Partner’s operations;
- Operating in the Agri-Food and Agri-Technology Sectors;
- Incorporated and located in Canada;
- Generating between $200,000 and $5,000,000 in annual revenues (unless a not-for-profit);
- Able to complete a screening Life Cycle Assessment (LCA);
- Able to provide a detailed Project Partner Agreement; and
- Able to procure 50% match of the project costs, up to $200,000.
Eligible Project Partners must be:
- For-profit private sector enterprises or not-for-profit corporations able to support the advancement of the Applicant’s innovation
- Incorporated and located in Canada, and operating in the Agri-Food and Agri-Technology Sectors;
- Able to complete all activities on-time and agree to the Project Partner Agreement; and
- Able to report on project performance and outcomes
Timeline
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June 25, 2026 – Intake opens
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July 15, 2026 – CATA Information Session at 1:30pm EDT. Register here
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August 19, 2026, at 11:59 pm EDT – Letter of Intent submission deadline
-
October 30, 2026 – Notification of awarded and declined applications
Please see the Program Guide in Application Tools & Templates for a full list of eligibility criteria.
Application process
Applications will be accepted beginning June 25, 2026, in a two-phase process, consisting of open call for Letters of Intent (LOI) and an invitation-only Full Application. All application templates and resources, including the LOI Workbook Template and Program Guide, are available under Application Tools & Templates.
If your enterprise meets all the eligibility criteria, you can apply to the CATA program by following these steps:
- Complete the CATA: Letter of Intent (LOI) Workbook
- Complete the CATA: LOI Intake Form
- Attach the completed LOI Workbook, along with a completed Project Partner Agreement and optional supporting documents
For detailed instructions on how to submit an LOI, please reference the CATA Program Guide. Upon submitting an LOI, a confirmation email will be provided. Only successful LOI Applicants will be invited to submit a Full Application.
Email, mail, in-person, and facsimile (fax) submissions will not be accepted. Applications must be received by the submission deadline to be considered for funding.
Only successful full applications will result in financing and move towards negotiating a Contribution Agreement.
Tools & Templates
Full Application
Full Application Guide, Full Application Workbook & Budget Templates are only available to short-listed LOI applicants.
Funded by
CATA is funded by the Government of Canada under the Agricultural Clean Technology (ACT) Program Research and Innovation Stream – Accelerator (ACT Accelerator), delivered by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC).
Contact & to get more info
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For specific questions please email:
submissions@bioenterprise.ca