Funding and grants to automate your food processing plant in Alberta

If you want to find out whether you are eligible for funding programs to automate your business in Alberta, this article is here to help you in your search.

You can find our article on federal programs via this link:

you can also find programs for other provinces via these links:

• Ontario

• British Columbia

• Quebec

• Nova Scotia

Alberta offers a range of provincial and regional federal programs to support the modernization and automation of its food processing plants, with particular attention paid to manufacturing SMEs and technology innovation projects.

The Alberta Manufacturing Productivity Grant (AMPG) is a two-year pilot program launched in 2025, administered by Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME) and funded by the Government of Alberta. It enables manufacturing SMEs to access expertise and financial assistance for the acquisition of new production technologies and equipment.

• Financial assistance: Up to $30,000 in matching funding (50/50) for the purchase of technologies, machinery, and equipment. The program also includes a free operational technology assessment (Phase 1) before funding.

• Eligible projects: Investments in long-term production assets starting after April 1, 2025, including automation, robotics, and intelligent systems.

• Deadlines: Projects must start after April 1, 2025, and end before December 31, 2026. Program in effect until March 31, 2027, or until funds are exhausted.

• Learn more:AMPG – Government of Alberta

Alberta Innovates is Alberta's provincial innovation agency. It offers a wide range of funding programs to support technological development, applied research, and commercialization, including in the agri-food sector. The Agri-Food and Bioindustrial Innovation Program (ABIP) is particularly relevant for projects related to food process automation.

• Learn more:Alberta Innovates – Funding programs

PrairiesCan is the federal regional development agency for Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. Its Business Scale-up and Productivity (BSP) program supports high-growth companies that invest in technology adoption, robotics, digitalization, and expansion of their production capacity.

• Financial assistance: Repayable contributions for modernization, automation, and expansion projects aimed at improving the productivity and competitiveness of Prairie SMEs.

• Learn more:PrairiesCan – Government of Canada

Under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP), Alberta delivers its own value-added program for food processors and bioprocessing companies. This program supports investments in processing capacity, technology adoption, and product diversification.

• Learn more:Agricultural funding – Government of Alberta