The Alberta Innovates Smart Agriculture and Food Automation and Digitalization Challenge (SAFDAC) has launched. This Program supports projects that develop or advance technology solutions for broad application by the Alberta and global agri-food industry. Outcomes should have a direct impact resulting in economic, environmental and social benefits.
Opportunities for this Program include but are not limited to:
- Development of new applications for digitalization of the agri-food sector, such as using artificial intelligence to develop data-driven decision models and remote monitoring systems for farms and food manufacturing
- Autonomous systems and prototype development that reduce cost and/or improve quality and safety of agriculture and food products
- Development and validation of new smart technologies and solutions to mitigate the impact of biotic and abiotic stress and increase farm productivity and supply chain functionality
Opportunities out of scope for this Program are:
- Conventional agriculture research, including biotechnology, agronomy, demonstration and adaptation research
- Marketing or new agri-food product development
- Projects focusing solely on the reduction of greenhouse emissions, mitigation, abatement, or sequestration
Eligibility
This program is open to small- and medium-sized enterprises (SME) in either the agri-food or technology industries, industry associations, research and development organizations, post-secondary institutions, not-for-profit organizations, and government research laboratories, provided they are legally able to execute the Alberta Innovates’ Investment Agreement. Applicants are not required to be based in Alberta but must demonstrate a clear value proposition for Alberta.
Timeline
July 15, 2021, at 1:00 p.m. MDT – Information webinar
August 13, 2021, at 4:30 p.m. MDT – Deadline for Expressions of Interest submissions
September 13, 2021 – Selected Expressions of Interest invited to submit Full Proposals
October 22, 2021, at 4:30 p.m. MDT – Deadline for Full Proposal submissions
November 2021 – Notification letters sent to Full Proposal applicants
December 2021 – Approved applicants must submit all requested documentation to execute agreements
December 31, 2023 – All projects must be completed
See Full Eligibility & Application Details