The Agriculture Water Infrastructure Program (AWP) aims to increase adoption of efficient irrigation infrastructure and improve agricultural water supply and management in British Columbia.
Through this program, the Government of BC seeks to see improvements to stream flows, fish populations and an increased and more sustainable food production.
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Stream 3 Overview
Successful applicants of Stream 3: Assessments, Engineering Studies or Plans will receive cost-shared funding for assessments, engineering studies or plans. This stream will fund assessments, engineering studies, or plans that:
- Are required, often by law, before implementing on-ground infrastructure work.
- Will enhance the understanding of the operational and developmental limitations to the water supplies in the regions and/or watersheds, which enable applicants to determine the appropriate type and scale of infrastructure required to achieve their project goals.
- Will help ensure funding will be allocated to projects that will remain viable, valuable, and resilient into the future under predicted climate change scenarios.

Approach
Eligibility Criteria
Activities
Applications
Application Process
Applicants can apply through the IAF Client Portal. The application process and required documents are specific to each funding stream. The application process will generally consist of:
Applicants will be required to provide copies of relevant documents (e.g., quotes, estimates, permits, licensing, assessment report, study, plan, design drawing, map, photo, letter of support, cost-breakdown, Cost-Benefit Analysis, project schedule, project related correspondence) and/or status and copy of applications for any permits pending supplementary materials in support of their application (e.g., budget, water licence, change approval). These documents are uploaded through the IAF Client Portal as attachments to the application.
IAF staff are available to answer questions regarding eligible activities, costs and/or the application process. IAF may also contact applicants for additional information or clarification to assess their application. Applicants can contact awp@iafbc.ca with any questions about the program or to receive support in developing their application or book an appointment.
Applicants are encouraged to include only activities they are confident will be completed on time and within budget limits.
Applications for funding should be complete at the time of submission (including any required documentation). If any required documentation is not submitted with the application, it will be returned to the applicant requesting missing information and will be given an updated position in the queue based on the new timestamp (time of re-submission).
Review and Adjudication
All complete applications to Stream 3 will be reviewed on a first-come, first-served model. Project applications are screened and reviewed by the IAF Team. This review entails:
- Organization / applicant eligibility check.
- Ensuring application completeness.
- A detailed project / budget eligibility check.
- Confirmation of alignment with program eligibility.
IAF will complete adjudication within eight to twelve weeks of receipt of complete application submission. IAF will return incomplete applications to applicants via the IAF Client Portal for resubmission with missing information/clarifications requested. Please note that the resubmission date & time is the complete application submission date. If any required documentation is not submitted with the initial application, it will be returned to the applicant requesting missing information and will be given an updated position in the queue based on the new timestamp (time of re-submission).
Applicants will be notified of funding decisions via email and the IAF Client Portal. Applications will be considered until all available funding is committed. All decisions regarding application status are final. All applicants will receive a funding decision email from IAF and can view the status of their application on the IAF Client Portal at any time.
Project Length
Projects receiving funding through Stream 3 of the Agriculture Water Infrastructure Program can begin upon approval and should be completed within 24 months of approval. Projects may carry over between fiscal years.
Notifications & Obligations
Funding Notifications & Contracts
If the project is approved, IAF will inform the applicant of the details of the decision and any associated terms and conditions via email and through the IAF Client Portal. Successful applicants can view their funding decision letter in the IAF Client Portal (as a document attached to the active project).
Funding is application and project-specific and must be used for the approved project and related expenses. Funds are non-transferable.
Project activities requiring financial resources cannot commence until project is approved.
Projects receiving funding through Stream 3: Assessments, Engineering Studies or Plans of the Agriculture Water Infrastructure Program can begin upon approval and must be completed within twenty-four months. All projects must be completed by January 15, 2032. Projects may carry over between fiscal years.
Applicants applying to Stream 3 will be eligible to apply to Streams 1 or 2 for funding upon completion of their project if funding and time remains in the program. Funding limits are set per stream per project. Applicants can apply to multiple streams; however, they will need to apply for each stream separately and can only have a single Agriculture Water Infrastructure Program (2024-2032) project per stream underway at once. There is no lifetime maximum funding limit per applicant.
If the project is not approved, the applicant will be notified via email and the IAF Client Portal.
Changes to Contracted Projects
If you are not able to complete your project according to the approved workplan, please inform the IAF Team as soon as possible using the IAF Client Portal.
Funding Details
Payments are made based on actual expenses reported and payments will be made in arrears. Payments will not be initiated by IAF until reporting requirements are satisfactorily met by the client. These requirements may include one or more progress reports or a single final report at the end of a project, based on the amount of funding approved, length of project, and project complexity/risk.
Funding Acknowledgement
This program is funded by the Government of BC, therefore; acknowledgment of funding is required when publicly communicating about a project and/or funding. To ensure appropriate acknowledgments, all communications and marketing materials, including public announcements or social media posts, must be pre-approved by the IAF Communications Team. Materials can be submitted via the IAF Client Portal.
Reporting Requirements
Successful applicants must complete a final report and audit (if applicable) prior to receiving final payment from the program and may be required to submit interim activity and financial reporting. All required reports must be filled out and submitted via the IAF Client Portal to be considered for funding reimbursement. It is important reports are submitted on time and with all required information. Please retain all invoices and receipts, you may be asked to submit some or all receipt/invoices following a review of your report(s) by the IAF Team. Expenses will be reimbursed based on audited receipts, financial report, and the approved project budget. All reporting will be completed via the IAF Client Portal.
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Please note: the Government of BC may, from time to time, give instructions to IAF in relation to the delivery and administration of this program. IAF must and will comply with those instructions.