The Strategic Field Program (SFP) offers funding for rigorous field level primary production demonstrations, value-added processing technology demonstrations and/or the evaluation of targeted practices and technologies. The goal of SFP is to support targeted field-based projects that enhance and support the delivery of ministry’s extension and knowledge transfer services to producers and targeted projects that demonstrate scalability of research derived processing technologies to value-added processors. Funding is awarded on an annual basis and projects are selected by the Agricultural Development Fund (ADF) Advisory Committee.
There is no funding limit per SFP project.
Eligibility
Project Type
SFP projects need to be focused on transferring knowledge to producers/processors through extension and need to include a strong outreach component. The projects may include a research component to evaluate targeted practices and technologies at the field level or an operational environment. Discovery research projects are not eligible under SFP.
Applicants
- SFP applicants are internal to the Ministry of Agriculture. The development of project proposals and applications for funding must be led by ministry provincial and/or extension specialists.
- Researchers, producers and producer/industry groups will be contractors for SFP projects and are not eligible to apply directly to this program, but they can be contractors.
Contractors
- Contractors will be engaged in undertaking the project work. The applicants need to identify contractors based on the scientific capacity and/or potential to conduct the project work.
- Contractors may include (but are not limited to) a producer, an Agri-ARM site, a researcher holding a permanent academic position at a university or a research institute, or a permanent employee of an organization with the capacity to deliver the required service.
- For approved projects, the ministry will sign a contract (funding agreement) with the contractor.
Eligible expenses
- Students, Postdoctoral Fellows, Technical Assistants;
- Consultant Fees or contractual services;
- Equipment and land rental;
- Materials/supplies;
- Project travel (field work, collaboration/consultation);
- Field day costs to a maximum of $1,000; and
- Administration costs up to five per cent (not applicable for projects with contractors from universities and research institutes)
Any capital purchase over $1,000 is not eligible under SFP.
Past SFP Research Projects
To review past SFP projects, visit the Agriculture Research Reports Search page.
Project Summaries
A summary of SFP research projects awarded are available to download.
Projects Approved for Funding by the Strategic Field Program (SFP) in 2024
Apply
SFP is a two-stage applications process: concept stage; and a full application stage. The concept submission will be accepted in November each year followed by full application submission in December. The concepts and full applications prepared in ministry-provided forms need to be submitted to arbonline@gov.sk.ca.
For more information, contact the Agriculture Research Branch.