Buy BC Cost-Shared Funding is available for activities that increase the demand for, and sales of, BC agri-food and seafood products within the Province.
The Buy BC Partnership Program, delivered by IAF on behalf of the BC Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, has two components: licensing and cost-shared funding. It is designed to increase the competitiveness of BC’s agri-food and seafood industry in the domestic market by supporting local marketing efforts through use of the Buy BC brand.
The Buy BC Partnership Program aims to achieve the following outcomes:
- Enable industry to undertake sector or product-specific Buy BC marketing activities to increase local market share, product sales, and consumer awareness;
- Ensure consumers can easily identify BC agri-food and seafood products at the point of sale;
- Build and maintain Buy BC brand recognition; and
- Build a greater awareness of and demand for, local food and beverage products across the province.
Application Window: NOW CLOSED for 2022/23 Cost-Shared Funding
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Program Overview
Once an applicant has been approved for a Buy BC logo license, select applicants can apply for cost-shared funding to help them undertake sector or product specific Buy BC marketing and promotional activities across the province. All organizations need to register themselves through IAF’s new online application portal and complete an eligibility screening before gaining access to the program application form.
Applications for Buy BC Cost-Shared Funding (for the 2022-23 funding cycle) are accepted October 26 until November 18, with successful projects starting on April 1, 2022.

Maximum Funding for Eligible Expenses
After completing an eligibility screening through IAF’s online portal, applicants will be notified how much funding they can apply for under the program.
NEW! In addition to the overall funding cap for each applicant, several Activity Categories will be capped for the 2022-23 funding cycle. These figures relate to program contributions (cost-shared funding), not overall activity costs.
- Staff wages: maximum of $2,000 for each producer/processor/cooperative applicant; maximum of $10,000 for associations for wages related to direct implementation of project activities
- Marketing collateral and promotional materials: maximum of $5,000 per applicant, for branded apparel to be worn by staff working out reach events
- Product labelling/packaging: maximum of $20,000 per applicant
- Online advertising costs (including social media): maximum of $15,000 per applicant
Ineligible Activities and Expenses
The following activities and costs are not eligible under the Buy BC Partnership Program:
- Any cost not set out as an eligible cost and expenditure in the Activity Category description
- Any cost not specifically required for the execution of a project
- Expenses over the maximum funding caps
- Leases or agreements with suppliers or service providers outside the project period (starting
April 1, 2022) - Activities that take place before* the project start date or after the project completion date (*pre-registration for farmer’s markets and/or tradeshow registration are considered eligible).
- Market research, including experimental or theoretical work which is undertaken to acquire new knowledge without a commercial or specific application in view
- Development of marketing or business plans
- Product or new brand development
- Subsequent Packaging Design, tool & dye, and printing production costs (only the first run of packaging materials is considered eligible)
- Capital or equipment purchases (e.g., land, buildings, fences, equipment, tradeshow booth hardware, computers, software subscriptions, mobile phones, tools, printing plates, seed, livestock)
- Normal operating costs associated with carrying out or expanding a business’ current operations (including office supplies)
- Direct income support
- Buying, starting, or expanding a farm or business
- Website/IT system upgrades and hosting fees. Only the cost for adding specific ‘Buy BC’ elements to a website is eligible for cost-share
- Building and implementing an e-Commerce tool or website
- Cost of product for sampling or sale, including product discounts, coupons or subsidies
- Retail or food services listing fees
- Cost of travel (mileage), food and accommodation
- Funds to sponsor a third-party activity
- Promotional products/materials planned for re-sale, SWAG, contests or gifts
- Stakeholder engagement or membership drives
- Membership fees
- Lobbying or influencing government
- Any activities that may be considered to denigrate other products or commodities (e.g., farmed vs. wild salmon; organic vs. conventional agriculture, etc.)
- In-kind contributions
- Cannabis-related activities
Program Timeline
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Oct 26, 2021
Applications Open
The application window opens on October 26, 2021.
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Nov 3-17, 2021
Consultant Calls
Consultant calls available between Nov 3 to Nov 17
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Nov 10, 2021
Webinar
Buy BC Webinar and Q&A
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Nov 18, 2021
Applications Closed
The application window closes on November 18 at 4:30pm.
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February 2022
Technical Review
The Technical Review Committee meets in February.
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Feb - March 2022
Notification
Decision notification and contracting occur throughout February and March 2022.
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April 1, 2022
Project Start
Successful projects start on or after April 1, 2022
Application
Before submitting an application, please review all the information listed below paying special attention to the Notifications & Obligations. Requirements of a funding recipient and the criteria for how your application will be evaluated are outlined. Applications to the Buy BC Partnership Program are competitive. Each complete application received by the application deadline will be scored and ranked according to the evaluation criteria and funded on that basis.
Before you apply
Applications for Buy BC logo license are on-going. New licensing applications or requests to amend products lists must be submitted no later than November 9, 2021 to be considered for the 2022-23 funding cycle. Applicants must have a valid logo license to be eligible to apply for cost-shared funding.
Can’t find your Logo License number? Contact licensing(at)iafbc.ca.
All applicants to the 2022-23 funding cycle must confirm they are eligible to apply for funding. Please create an account and register your organization well in advance of the closing date. You will be able to complete an eligibility check once you have done so.
Completed application forms must be submitted through IAF’s online portal by 4:30pm PST on November 18, 2021. Late or incomplete submissions will not be accepted. Once submitted, your application cannot be changed.
Notifications & Obligations
Evaluation Criteria
Applications will be reviewed and scored against the evaluation criteria below.
Considerations for Evaluation
- If the applicant has had a project funded by IAF previously, did they complete all of the project reports on time?
- Were they responsive and professional in their communications with IAF Staff?
- Were the activities completed on time and within budget?
- Did the applicant request multiple revisions to the project for items that were within their control?
- If the applicant has had a project funded by IAF previously, did the project(s) meet targeted results for sales, or goals for advertising etc.?
- Has the applicant completed any market research?
- Has the applicant completed a marketing and/or business plan?
- If yes, to what extent is market research or plan fully developed?
- Does the market planning/research support the proposed project objectives and/or activities?
Considerations for Evaluation
- Are the project activities well-defined, with clear timelines, expense details, service providers, deliverables etc.?
- Does it seem that the activities can be completed within the allotted budget and timeframe?
Considerations for Evaluation
- Is there sufficient expense details to verify expense eligilbity?
- Does the budget include ineligible costs under the program?
- Is the budget reasonable and within industry standards?
- Are large budget items (i.e. $5,000 and more) supported by quotes?
Considerations for Evaluation
- Project impact: Are targeted results in line with project activities?
- Does the applicant demonstrate a clear understanding of Buy BC Program objective and goal?
- Does the project objective and activities align with Program objective?
Considerations for Evaluation
- The proposed timeframe given for activities is reasonable
Resources
Funding provided by:

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.
Please visit the BC Government’s Buy BC website for information on other local marketing resources and initiatives.