Industry Innovation Fund – Agri-Food Research and Development Initiative (ARDI)

Terms and Conditions

1. Purpose of the Program:

Pursuant to Growing Forward: A Federal-Provincial-Territorial Framework Agreement on Agriculture, Agri-Food and Agri-Based Products Policy and the Canada/Manitoba bilateral agreement to implement the Framework Agreement, the Agri-Food Research and Development Initiative intends to provide funding to facilitate innovation in agri-food production and processing. The focus is on innovations that result in new farm income streams, growth in the value-added sector and reduced costs for primary production.

2. Definitions:

2.1 “Approving Body” means a council of industry stakeholders appointed by the federal and provincial governments. Provincial appointees alone will form the approving body in the event the appointment of federal representatives is interrupted. 

2.2 “Program Administrator” means the Manitoba Association of Agricultural Societies.

2.3 "Program" means the Agri-Food Research and Development Initiative abbreviated as ARDI.

2.4 “MAFRI” means Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives.

3. Program Thrust

3.1 The main thrust of the Program will be to fund, on a partnership basis, research and development projects that expand knowledge, translate knowledge into new products and practices or verify new technology and practices under Manitoba conditions. The Approving Body has the discretion to call for proposals in specific areas of enquiry. 

 
4. Expected Outcomes

4.1 Primary outcomes will be demonstrated with respect to at least one of the following areas: new farm income streams, growth in the value-added sector or reduced costs for primary production. Projects with co-benefits in the form of improved environmental sustainability will be regarded with additional value but at least one of the primary outcomes must also be clearly demonstrated.

4.2 It is expected that Growing Forward funding will be supplemented by significant contributions from the proponent and/or agencies other than the governments of Manitoba or Canada. The overall target is to provide 50% of funding towards projects approved under the program.

5. Performance Measures

5.1 Number of projects and value of non-Growing Forward contributions.

5.2 Estimated number of farmers that could adopt a new technology or management system.

5.3 Estimated monetary benefit if on-farm adoption of a new technology or management system were achieved.

5.4 Number of new products developed to at least the pre-commercial phase.

6. Eligible Applicants:

6.1 Eligible applicants are farmers, agri-processors, research institutions, entrepreneurs, businesses, industry associations, First Nations, cooperatives and other legal entities engaged in projects to assist the sector through innovation. Only applicants capable of conducting projects that can be validated scientifically should apply.

6.2 Eligible applicants must be incorporated under the laws of Canada or any province/territory and/or be eligible to pay taxes in Canada except where payment is exempt by law.

7. Application:

7.1 Eligible Applicants are required to submit a completed application in the prescribed form to the Growing Forward Innovation Office within the time frame identified in the call for proposals. The Office is available to assist in the completion of applications.

7.1.1 Applicants requesting in excess of $25,000.00 must contact the Innovation Office prior to submitting an application.

7.1.3 Application periods will be advertised; at least 2 application periods will be offered per fiscal year.

7.2 Non-institutional applicants such as entrepreneurs and small businesses will be assigned a GO Team liaison at the discretion of the Program Administrator.

7.3 Applicants seeking to develop a new product or process for eventual sale may be requested by the Program Administrator to provide a business and/or marketing plan and may be referred to alternative programs for assistance with these plans.

7.4 The applicant must disclose all rights obtained for the use of legally conferred intellectual property in the course of the project.

7.5 The applicant will be responsible to ensure and disclose all relevant legal permits and to demonstrate adherence to municipal, provincial or federal laws and regulations in the course of conducting the project. Permits and adherence refer to but are not limited to laws, regulations and agreements with respect to environment, trade, zoning, intellectual property, copy write, and public health and safety.

7.6 Approved projects will be posted on websites managed by government for the purposes of Growing Forward. Information will include the project title, project objectives, proponent name and amount of funding. The project final report will be posted at the conclusion of the project. Recipients will be able to negotiate confidentiality with the Program Administrator.  

8. Verification of Information Provided by Applicant:

8.1 The Eligible Applicant agrees to supply the Program Administrator or their representative, on request, any relevant documentation requested to administer this program.

8.2 The Eligible Applicant agrees to on-site audits by the Program Administrator at any time to verify program eligibility and to evaluate and enforce the provisions of this program.

9. Eligible Costs and Partner Contributions

9.1 Eligible costs include labour costs specific to the project (excluding salary/wages paid to the principle investigator or business owner), materials, operational costs of equipment and other operating expenses including travel, accommodation, facility lease, registration, workshop/meeting expenses, per diems, service agreements and administration costs directly related to the project.

9.2 Incremental Costs for rental or lease of facilities equipment or machinery. The purchase of specialized items necessary for the execution of projects may be eligible with prior authorization from the Program Administrator.

9.3 Eligible matching funds will be any non-federal and non-provincially sourced cash or in-kind value.

9.4 In-kind contributions are certain non-monetary (as described below) resources provided by an applicant in satisfying, in whole or in part, the applicant’s share of the project. If the applicant did not have access to these resources, a cash outlay would have been required by the applicant to purchase them.

9.4.1 In-kind contributions may include labour either belonging to the principle applicant (except from a public institution) or is paid by the principle applicant. Fair market value of labour will be determined using the National Occupation Classification (2006) system  and based on the category will be charged out at an average national wage  unless otherwise verified by the applicant. Where fair market value cannot be reasonably determined, the in-kind contributions will not be recognized by the Approving Body.

9.4.2 The value of equipment owned by the principle applicant or a project partner and used in the project may be eligible as an in-kind contribution.

9.4.3 Materials in current inventory.

9.4.4 Eligible in-kind contributions will be included in the calculation of the total cost of the project.

9.4.5 Any overpayment resulting from the applicant’s failure to provide the in-kind contribution required will be treated as an amount owed to the Program Administrator and be subject to repayment.

9.5 The program will seek to match program and eligible non-program funding across this program.

9.6 An applicant is required to disclose all sources of public funding for the project both requested and approved. The applicant is required to notify the Program Administrator of any changes to the sources of funding.

9.7 The applicant is required to retain records of project costs for three (3) years after the termination date of the contract for audit purposes and make such records available for inspection by the Program Administrator.

9.8 The applicant must allow any representative or agent of the Program Administrator to have access to the premises where any part of the project is being (or has been) carried out as to inspect and assess the progress of the project. The applicant will render all reasonable assistance to any authorized representative or agent for these purposes.

9.9 The applicant accepts that failure to comply with the obligations in section 9 may result in the applicant being required to repay the funding to the Program Administrator.

10. Ineligible Costs

10.1 Capital items not specifically required for the execution of a project.

10.2 Costs of establishing a commercial operation.

10.3 Refundable portion of the Goods and Services Tax, value-added taxes, or other items for which a refund or rebate is eligible to be received by the applicant.

10.4 Presenter hospitality and travel expenditures beyond Province of Manitoba guidelines or gifts associated with the hosting of events.

10.5 Profit.

10.6 Compensation to MAFRI staff.

10.7 Any other expenditure which, at the discretion of the Program Administrator, is deemed to be ineligible.

11. Application Review

11.1 Applications will be reviewed on a competitive basis relative to other applications received for that intake.

11.2 Applicants may be contacted by the Growing Forward Innovation Office to clarify elements of the proposal. Where clarifications on financial questions cannot be achieved to the satisfaction of the Office, the proposal may be refused before coming before the Approval Body.

11.3 Applications will be reviewed by the Approval Body. Criteria for review are:

11.3.1 Results of a technical review and assessment by a recognized authority in the field as chosen by the Program Administrator.

11.3.2 Demonstration of the applicant’s ability to conduct the project using recognized scientific methods.

11.3.3 Application of the project results to the objectives and metrics of Growing Forward and sections 1, 4 and 5 above.

11.3.4 Benefits of the project clearly accrue specifically to Manitoba’s agri-food and rural sectors. Benefits may accrue to an individual or corporation but demonstrated benefits to the overall sector will be given significant weight.

11.3.5 A clear and comprehensive budget.

11.5  Applicants will be informed of the Approval Body’s decision in writing by the Program Administrator.

11.6 The Approval Body has the discretion to fund specific aspects of a project, set conditions for funding and/or to fund a project at an alternative level to the amount requested.  Applicants are not compelled to accept alternative funding levels or conditions and may withdraw their application by informing the Program Administrator.

11.7  In all cases specific costs approved by the Approval Body to be borne by the program will be indentified in the contract with the Program Administrator.

11.8 Decisions of the Approval Body are final. However, applicants denied funding may re-apply based on advice from the Program Administrator.

12. Payments and Refunds:

12.1 Proponents will be required to enter into a contract with the Program Administrator. The contract will set out terms and conditions of the government contribution including outcomes and payment schedules. Where reporting-based payments are prescribed, reports are to be sent to the Growing Forward Innovation Office.  

12.2 For single-year projects an initial payment of 33% will be made upon contract signing with the remainder paid upon receipt of interim and final financial and progress reports. For 2 and 3-year projects the initial payment will be 50% of first year costs. The remaining first year costs are paid upon receipt of reports at the end of year 1. Payments in subsequent years will follow the same format.

12.3 For projects with the University of Manitoba a standardized payment schedule has been established through the university administration.

12.4 The Program Administrator has the absolute discretion to determine any payments under this Program in accordance with the Program Terms and Conditions.

12.5 Recipients agree to participate in public announcements regarding funding of their project.

12.6 Recipients agree to refund to the Program Administrator any payment received under this program that is not in accordance with the Program Terms and Conditions within 30 days of notice being provided to them. Failure to make such repayment creates a debt owing to the Program Administrator that can set off against any money the Program Administrator or the Crown in Right of Manitoba owes to the applicant.

13. Termination of the Program:

The Program will terminate March 31, 2013.

13.1 The Program Administrator may terminate the Program at any time, without priori notice to applicants if:

a) the Government of the Province of Manitoba determines that the program should not continue;

b) there are insufficient funds to continue the Program as contemplated.

14. Reporting and Communications

14.1 The Eligible Applicant will submit a final written report, upon completion of the project, to the Program Administrator.

14.2 The Program seeks to inform the public about projects and results. The Innovation Office will instigate communication activities with recipients and recipients are invited to suggest activities to highlight their project. Recipients are also required to:

14.2.1 Acknowledge Program support in all advertising, promotional and reporting material related to the funded project, including but not limited to brochures, invitations, posters, advertisements, websites, annual reports, newsletters, scientific papers, presentations or media interviews. This requirement applies equally to individuals carrying out research or development projects on behalf of recipients.

14.2.2 Program support must be acknowledged in a prominent place such as the first paragraph of a news release or in a sidebar alongside a newsletter article. Program contributions should be acknowledged through the use of the Growing Forward logo and the following text:
This project was supported by the Agri-Food Research and Development Initiative (ARDI) under the Canada-Manitoba Growing Forward initiative.

Growing Forward – Working together to build an innovative and profitable agriculture and agri-food sector.

14.3 Recipients are required to inform the Innovation Office about public communications related to project findings including but not limited to news conferences, public lectures, open houses, awards ceremonies or products launches in order to explore opportunities for collaboration.

15. Intellectual Property

15.1 To discuss intellectual property contact the Program Administrator.

16. No Liability

16.1 The recipient acknowledges that neither Canada, Manitoba, nor their appointed program representatives are liable to the recipient, the recipient’s heirs, administrators and/or assigns for personal injury, property damage, or any other damage, injury, claim or loss whatsoever arising out of this Program and the recipient’s participation in it.