Producer Research and Evaluation Program

Funding will be available to eligible and qualified applicants from, or under contract with, organizations that directly and/or indirectly participate in the service and development of the Alberta livestock or crop industry, provided that such organizations are in good standing and not in default under any other agreements or programs with RDAR. 

Eligible applicants for the PREP program are primary producers that meet the following criteria: 

• Operating in Alberta;

• Responsible for input costs for a crop or livestock operation that produces at least $25,000 in annual farm cash receipts; and

• Responsible for the day-to-day management and work on the farm; but does not include a landlord whose only interest in the crop or livestock operation is ownership of the land.

• On-farm research trials and evaluation that includes sufficient data collection to evaluate the impact of the production practice or technology tested within the project; and

• Testing or evaluating emerging technology and/or farming practices.

• Costs associated with third-party service providers, agronomists, veterinarians, professional agrologists, certified crop advisors, and technical consultants; and

• Cost of materials, supplies, and equipment rentals directly required for the project (maximum of $10,000 per project).

• Up to $20,000 in funding is available per proposal.

• Successful proposals will be cost-shared to a maximum of 80% grant and 20% Eligible Applicant on invoiced expenses.

• Funding received through other Sustainable CAP programs may not be used toward the cost-share requirements of the Program.

• Only successful applications to RDAR will be eligible for funding under the Program.

  Please note that all receipts, invoices, and proof of payments must be under your legal entity/organization name (if applicable). Expenses cannot be processed if invoices and proof of payments are under a different name than the applicant name.

Proposals will be evaluated based on the following assessment criteria:

• Alignment with the purpose of the Program;

• The project answers a research question with a measurable, reportable, and verifiable outcome or impact to inform the Applicant, and other Alberta producers;

• The emergent and potential nature of the project;

• The project timelines are achievable and appropriate;

• Adoption potential of the innovation by other producers;

• The opportunity for the proposal results to be presented to other producers, and;

• Budget items are clear and justified.

• Equipment eligible under the following programs, available through Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation via the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership:

  • Farm Technology Program:

    • If you’re looking for funding that supports adoption of innovative technology that minimizes agricultural waste and optimizes farm efficiency, or funding that supports producers in their efforts to secure business assets by encouraging the adoption of best management practices in farm security, you might be eligible for funding under the Farm Technology Program.

  • Water Program

    • If you’re looking for funding for on-farm irrigation system purchases or upgrades, you might be eligible for funding under the Water Program.

  • Efficient Grain Handling Program:

    • If you’re looking for funding that supports the purchase of grain handling system components that significantly improve energy efficiency over standard practices, you may be eligible for funding under the Efficient Grain Handling Program.

  • Resilient Agricultural Landscape Program (RALP):

    • If you’re looking for funding that supports producers in conserving and enhancing the environmental resiliency of their agricultural landscapes, you might be eligible for funding under the Resilient Agricultural Landscape Program.

• Implementation of beneficial management practices (BMPs) that are currently supported through the On-Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF);

• Goods and Service Tax (GST), Provincial Sales Tax (PST), Harmonized Sales Tax (HST);

• Costs of in-kind contributions; and

• Costs incurred outside of the Project Term

Funding from RDAR must be acknowledged on appropriate signs, stickers, posters, publications, and press releases associated with the project. The Applicant will be granted permission to use RDAR's name and logo when acknowledging RDAR's contribution to the project. The use of RDAR's name and logo must comply with RDAR's Grant Communications Guide.