AMI Funding
The Agricultural Management Institute (AMI) provides funding for projects that develop business management and risk management tools, products, information, resources, and training for farm families, farm managers, and farm business advisors.
The following procedures and guidelines have been developed to assist the agricultural industry in accessing the funding that is available through the AMI. Eligible applicants can submit completed project application forms to receive funding for activities that meet the project objectives, fall under one of the categories and meet the criteria outlined below. Applications will be reviewed by the AMI Board of Directors. All decisions regarding the application’s eligibility for funding are the sole judgment of the AMI Board of Directors.
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Click here to view and download the full Project Funding Policy and Guidelines
Eligibility
Eligible applicants:
Canadian citizens and any registered organization, agency, association, community group, institution, university, college, group, joint venture, or consortium carrying on operations in Canada and capable of entering into a legal agreement with the AMI;
Criteria
Project Objectives
Projects should be new, innovative and contribute to one or more of the following objectives:
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demonstrate the benefits of business planning;
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address farm business management gaps and opportunities;
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foster the development of producers working cooperatively and share beneficial business management practices;
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encourage producers to incorporate beneficial business management practices into their daily operations and activities; and,
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develop simple and applicable business management information, products, services, resources or training for producers that enhance decisions making and farm profitability.
Program Categories
Projects must fall under one of the following categories:
The AMI will fund:
Direct expenditures required to implement the approved project. These can include but are not limited to:
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incremental costs for consultants, and/or other contracted goods and services;
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cost of developing project materials, project communications, project advertising, outreach/extension activities and project public notices;
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incremental costs for rental or lease of facilities or equipment;
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hospitality and travel costs within provincial government guidelines;
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cost of material production in both official languages;
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rental costs for equipment and conference rooms;
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incremental cost of services, such as salaries and benefits, specific per diem fees of personnel working directly on the development and delivery of the project; and,
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non-reimbursable portion of the Goods and Services Tax or its successor.
The AMI will not fund:
Expenditures that are not eligible include but are not limited to:
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Normal overhead costs associated with carrying out the business of the applicant and/or its partners;
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Costs incurred prior to the approved project start date including costs associated with preparing and submitting the project application;
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Costs that are not arms-length to the applicant
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Ongoing activities or direct income support of the applicant and normal costs of establishing a commercial operation;
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Capital costs such as the construction of buildings, or the acquisition of land and/or equipment;
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Projects or parts a project that will not be shared with the public.
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Costs covered under any Federal and/or Provincial and/or Municipal programs;
Cost Sharing
Applicants are encouraged to submit funding requests that demonstrate fair cost sharing. This means that all budget expenses are shared between the applicant and the AMI. All AMI funding is reimbursed based on a percentage of the total project costs. Please note that as a general rule the AMI will not fund projects greater than eighty percent (80%) of total project costs.
In-kind contributions will only be considered in exceptional circumstances when all contributions can be clearly justified and documented.
Application Forms and Guidelines
Letter of Intent
Applicants that are unsure of their idea's fit with the AMI project criteria or would like to get general feedback from AMI staff regarding their idea are encouraged to submit a letter of intent prior to completing a full application.
Application Forms
Application Form:
Key Outcomes and Budget Forms:
Application Submission Cut-off Dates
The AMI accepts project funding applications from agricultural groups and industry associations on an on-going basis, however the following cut-off dates do apply.
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February 24th, 2012 for review on March 21st, 2012*
*subject to change