All applicants must have a head office in B.C. or be entitled (including being appropriately registered, licensed or certified, as appropriate) to do business in B.C.
Marketing Skills Training
Supporting the ability of permanent marketing staff within an eligible organization to complete eligible marketing skills training courses at qualified educational institutions.
Market Information & Research
Identifying, analyzing and understanding current and emerging market opportunities in B.C., across Canada and internationally by:
(A) contracting pre-qualified consultants to conduct new market research studies (i.e. conducting primary market research and/or analyzing secondary market research to provide customized market intelligence); and/or,
(B) purchasing existing market information or market research studies from qualified market research firms (i.e. existing secondary market research).
Market Development Planning
Contracting pre-qualified consultants to develop marketing plans, export plans or branding strategies for markets in B.C., across Canada or internationally.
Export Market Development Activities and Export-Focused Marketing Collateral and Promotional Tools
Undertaking interprovincial[1]/international market development activities such as tradeshows, food fairs, and sales exhibitions; trade missions and trade advocacy events; market access activities; buyers’ meetings/networking events; and in-store promotions/demonstrations; and, designing, developing, translating, printing/producing marketing collateral and promotional tools to promote specific agrifood/seafood products in B.C.’s export markets.
[1] Please note that seafood processors/cooperatives/industry associations are not eligible for cost-shared funding support for interprovincial-focused market development activities
The following BC-based applicants are eligible to receive cost-shared funding:
To be considered for cost-shared funding, an eligible applicant must:
[1] Please note that while agriculture producers are eligible for support, seafood producers (e.g. fishers and harvesters) are not eligible.
[2] Processing food, beverage, or agricultural and seafood products which are processed and packaged in B.C. with more than 85% of the product’s main ingredients produced in BC (note: in cases where the main ingredients are not reasonably available in BC in sufficient quantities, the food must be processed and packaged entirely in B.C.
[3] Producing fresh food, beverage, or agricultural products which are 100% grown or raised in B.C.
[4] Industry associations, boards, or councils that represent B.C. agrifood and seafood sector businesses /organizations.
[5] Food, beverage, agricultural or seafood products which are processed and packaged in B.C. with more than 85% of the product’s main ingredients produced in BC(note: in cases where the main ingredients are not reasonably available in BC in sufficient quantities, the food must be processed and packaged entirely in B.C.
Please see the full list of pre-qualified consultants
Please see the full list of eligible courses.
Cannabis is not currently eligible for cost-shared funding through the BCASMDP. Once cannabis has been legalized and a sales and distribution system is operationalized, the eligibility of this product will be revisited by the Ministry of Agriculture and any changes to eligibility will be communicated through the Program website.
The following types of projects are NOT eligible for funding under this Program:
Projects where the intended target audience is non-English speaking may qualify for cost-sharing on Certified translation services for approved promotional materials and/or Certified interpretation services for approved market development activities. An estimate from a Certified translation/interpretation service should be included with your Application. The maximum cost-share for translation/interpretation services is $5,000.
Note: A copy of the English and translated materials may be requested and must be available upon request.
In-kind contributions can be included as part of the budget, but they are not eligible for cost-shared funding.
Measures of activities such as dollar value of increased sales; volume of increased sales; number, partner type, and dollar value of new sales agreements signed; number and type of branded marketing materials, advertising campaigns (including names of media outlets, targeted ad impressions per outlet, and the number of weeks an ad will run), and promotional activities developed and completed (including names of new business/organization partnerships and number of participants for engagement at each activity);etc. It’s best to develop a plan upfront and track these results for final reporting purposes.
First-Time Applicants:
First-time applicants who apply for cost-shared funding, are required to complete and submit multiple applications to IAF, including:
Answer for Producers, Processors, and Cooperatives:
No. Applicants who re-apply to the Program will only be required to submit an updated Part A of the Application (Eligibility Confirmation Form) if there have been changes to the Designated Officer (e.g. CEO/Chairperson/President, Senior Financial Officer/Treasurer, Executive Director, etc.) who signed the previously submitted Application.
If an Applicant is re-applying to the Program and there have not been any changes to the Designated Officer or business ownership the Applicant can skip Part A of the application process and just complete Part B of the Application (Project Details Form) with newly proposed project activities.
Answer for Industry Associations, Boards, Councils;
No. Applicants who re-apply to the Program will only be required to submit an updated Part A of the Application (Eligibility Confirmation Form) if there have been changes to the Designated Officer (e.g. CEO/Chairperson/President, Senior Financial Officer/Treasurer, Executive Director, etc.) who signed the previously submitted Application. If an Applicant is re-applying to the Program and there have not been any changes to the Designated Officer, the Applicant can skip Part A of the application process and just complete Part B of the Application (Project Details Form) with newly proposed project activities.
The table below identifies the amount of cost-shared funding that you can apply for based on your eligibility determination.
Producers, processors and cooperatives must have the ability to provide, and commit to providing 50% of the total project budget in cash towards eligible project costs.
Industry associations, boards, and councils must have the ability to provide, and commit to providing 30% of the total project budget in cash towards eligible project costs.
Yes, please refer to the program page.
Clients can usually anticipate a decision within 20 business days for complete applications, from the application deadline date.
In order to be eligible for cost-share, all funding acknowledgement guidelines must be adhered to. The onus is on the applicant/client to ensure they have met the guidelines and have their communication products and media submitted to the IAF for review and approval by the BC Government prior to publishing. For more information on funding acknowledgement: Funding Recognition Requirements
The BC Government and IAF will work with each successful applicant to announce their project as they are approved. Recipients will not make a public announcement concerning the project funding without prior consent of the BC Ministry of Agriculture. For more information: Funding Recognition Requirements
The deadline for your final project report will be specific to your project. Interim project reports may be required. Please contact a Program Manager for further details.
IAF encourages all potential clients for the BCASMDP to contact the Foundation directly at funding(at)iafbc.ca or 250-356-1662.
It is expected that applicants prepare and submit their own applications. Applicants are responsible for delivery of their project.
An application submitted by a consultant on behalf of a client will result in the application being rejected. Consultant costs for the preparation of an application are not a program eligible component.
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