Product Development Program (PDP)

Eligibility

Eligible Applicants

Agriculture value-added processors who meet the following value-added criteria:

• Physical transformation or upgrading of any raw/primary agricultural product(s) or any agricultural by-product or waste into a new or upgraded product or further processed product.
• Processors must operate and pay taxes in the Province of Saskatchewan.
• The applicant’s proposal/product must demonstrate substantial use of Canadian grown agriculture products.
• Must be a for-profit organization.

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Eligible Activities/Items

Eligible activities must develop and/or commercialize a Canadian agricultural product, process or technology. Eligible activities include:

• Material costs;
• Test processing and manufacturing costs;
• Packaging and labelling development costs;
• Product development, demo costs, samples and prototypes for trade shows;
• Assessment and development of a process/manufacturing technology;
• Process & specification development costs;
• Engineering, capex, opex, techno-economic analysis costs;
• Equipment rentals; and
• Market readiness for a target market where the applicant can demonstrate market opportunity exists (e.g., product modifications or alterations to packaging and labelling).

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Ineligible Activities/Items

• Activities receiving funding from other Government of Saskatchewan sources, or the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Agri-Marketing program.
• Training and wages/salaries for employees.
• Expenses for ongoing activities or other typical operating expenses.
• Per diems and meals domestically and internationally.
• Equipment purchase/other capital expenditures not explicitly identified as eligible.
• Administration costs and other activities not directly related specifically to the project.
• Cost of production for saleable products.
• Taxes, legal fees and/or financing fees.
• Membership in trade organizations.
• Costs associated with third party representatives such as agents or promoters.

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Funding Levels/Limits

• Project size of $10,000 to $100,000*
• Funds will be matched at 50% to a maximum of $50,000
• Stacking with other federal or provincially funded initiatives is not permitted

*Projects exceeding size of $100,000 may be considered for the PDP Program, but maximum reimbursement will remain at $50,000. 

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Other Parameters

• Proposed activities, including outcomes, must support the program objectives and be measured.
• Approved applicants will be required to sign a contract outlining their approved eligible costs, disbursement schedule and completion dates. All applicants must submit a report. Reporting criteria will be outlined in the contract.

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How to Apply

The Product Development Program (PDP) is a two stage process: (1) an initial online application form; and a (2) pre-approval application.

Online Application

Before starting the online application please have the following information available:

• CRA Business Number or GST/HST number
• Your businesses identified NAICS code (more information here)
• Brief, yet detailed summary of your project

Pre-Approval Application

Your online application will be reviewed by the Program Coordinator within 5 business days of submission. If your project details satisfy all eligibility requirements and program goals, you will be invited to complete a Pre-Approval Application. The Pre-Approval Application form will be sent to you by email by the Program Coordinator.

Completed Pre-Approval Applications will be adjudicated by a Review Committee within 5-6 weeks of submission. You will be contacted by the Program Coordinator with a final decision on your project application.

A completed application is not a guarantee of funding. Applications will be reviewed on a first come, first served basis.

 

Apply

Click the button to start the online application form. Please note that once started, the application cannot be saved.