How much funding can be received?

Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses, capped at $750000 per project.

What is the deadline to apply?

The deadline to apply is 2027-10-31T00:00:00Z.

Who are the financial supporters of the Saskatchewan Lean Improvements in Manufacturing (SLIM)?

Saskatchewan Lean Improvements in Manufacturing (SLIM) is funded by Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (SCAP), Government of Saskatchewan

What are Saskatchewan Lean Improvements in Manufacturing (SLIM)'s eligibility criterias?

Commercial agri-business or abattoir in Saskatchewan, incorporated federally or provincially, with minimum two years' value-added operations Minimum $100,000 gross annual revenue linked to value-added processing Uses Canadian agricultural inputs in production

Saskatchewan Lean Improvements in Manufacturing (SLIM)

Last Update: July 24, 2025

SK, Canada

Funding for Saskatchewan agri-business efficiency and expansion projects

Saskatchewan Lean Improvements in Manufacturing (SLIM) at a glance

Eligible Funding

Max. $750,000
Up to 50% of project cost

Timeline

Closing date : October 31, 2027

Financing Type

Grant and Funding

Eligible Industries

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
Manufacturing

Grant Providers

Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (SCAP)
Government of Saskatchewan

Status

Open

Overview of the Saskatchewan Lean Improvements in Manufacturing (SLIM) program

The Saskatchewan Lean Improvements in Manufacturing (SLIM) program provides funding of up to $750,000 per applicant to support agri-businesses in adopting best practices, new technologies, and processes aimed at improving productivity efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Eligible activities include automation upgrades, sustainable manufacturing investments, and expanding processing capabilities by upgrading equipment.

Financing terms and conditions

Maximum funding per applicant is up to $750,000 for eligible projects.
Business analysis by a third-party contractor: 50% of eligible costs, capped at $20,000 per applicant over the program's lifetime.
Efficiency and Expansion streams: up to 50% rebate of eligible expenditures.
Emissions Reduction stream: up to 60% rebate of eligible expenditures.
Tiered funding based on project size: up to $300,000 (project size $50,000–$1,000,000), up to $500,000 (project size $1,000,001–$5,000,000), up to $750,000 (project size over $5,000,000).

Eligible projects & activities

Adopting automation and advanced manufacturing technologies to boost productivity and efficiency.
Investing in equipment and infrastructure that reduce greenhouse gas emissions in manufacturing operations.
Expanding production capacity by adding or upgrading equipment to process new, complementary products from existing agricultural inputs.
Conducting business analyses to identify opportunities for efficiency gains, new technology adoption, or emission reductions.
Implementing upgrades to improve energy resource efficiency, such as building envelope improvements or adopting alternative energy sources.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 352,500

Expanding production capabilities with advanced machinery for organic produce

$ 487,500

Installing a wind turbine system to power dairy farm operations and reduce emissions

$ 300,000

Developing a solar-powered greenhouse to extend growing seasons and reduce energy costs

$ 375,000

Integrating solar energy and automation to enhance sustainability in grain storage facilities

$ 165,000

Implementing automated irrigation systems to enhance productivity and reduce water waste

$ 322,500

Upgrading processing lines with energy-efficient equipment to optimize food production

Eligibility criteria of the Saskatchewan Lean Improvements in Manufacturing (SLIM) program

The applicant must be an agri-business, First Nation, or abattoir involved in value-added processing of Canadian agricultural products.
The business must operate as a commercial enterprise located in Saskatchewan.
The company must be incorporated federally or in Saskatchewan and have filed income tax in Saskatchewan within the past year.
The facility must have been undertaking value-added processing for a minimum of two years.
The business must demonstrate a minimum of $100,000 in gross annual revenue from value-added processing, using inputs originating from primary agricultural commodities grown or raised in Canada.

Who is eligible?

Agri-businesses involved in value-added processing of Canadian agricultural products
First Nations businesses engaged in value-added agricultural processing
Abattoirs (slaughterhouses) licensed or certified in accordance with health and inspection regulations

Who is not eligible

This grant excludes certain companies and industries due to specific operational or structural characteristics that do not align with program objectives. These restrictions help target funding toward eligible and compliant entities.

Facilities where the retail environment is larger than the processing area.
Publicly funded facilities.
Cannabis processing facilities without a standard processing licence from Health Canada.
Processors of seafood or fish.

Eligible expenses

Fees for third-party consultants conducting business analysis related to productivity or emissions reductions.
Consultant site visits, commercial and engineering assessments, and specialized expertise directly related to improvements.
Purchase of new or refurbished equipment and machinery to improve processing efficiency or expand production (refurbished equipment must be bought from a reputable dealer or manufacturer).
Nominal structural adjustments and renovations required for eligible projects, including equipment rental necessary for renovations.
Installation, delivery, shipping, and handling fees, as well as third-party construction expenses related to project implementation.
Training costs directly related to the project provided by independent third parties (including trainer fees, books, registration fees).
Consultation, design, engineering, and related training services provided by external specialists.
Software embedded in eligible equipment that directly contributes to processing efficiency.
Upgrades to improve energy resource efficiency, such as lighting and ventilation improvements, and adoption of alternative energy sources (solar, wind, combined heat and power).
Project-specific water development works (e.g., wells, water utility connections, commercial pipelines) related to new complementary product lines.
Installation costs for new product processing lines using the same primary agricultural commodities.

Eligible geographic areas

Saskatchewan

How to apply to the Saskatchewan Lean Improvements in Manufacturing (SLIM) program

Check Eligibility

Ensure your agri-business meets the basic eligibility criteria such as being a commercial enterprise located in Saskatchewan and being involved in value-added processing for a minimum of two years.

Pre-Approval Application

Download the SLIM Pre-Approval Application Form.
Complete the pre-approval application with necessary business details and project information.
Submit the completed pre-approval application form via email to agprograms@gov.sk.ca or by mail to the Ministry of Agriculture, Programs Branch, Saskatchewan Lean Improvements in Manufacturing Program, 329 – 3085 Albert Street, Regina SK S4S 0B1.

Conduct Business Analysis (if required)

Upon receiving pre-approval, conduct a business analysis as outlined in the guidelines. This can be done by a third-party consultant for rebate eligibility.
Submit the business analysis report by December 31, 2027.

Final Application Submission

Complete all necessary documentation and prepare the final application including all project details, costs, and supporting documents.
Ensure all projects and expenses align with the approved streams and include proof of costs incurred.
Submit the final application with required documents before the project completion deadline (March 31, 2028, or as specified in approval package).

Claim Submission

Submit interim or final claims to the Ministry of Agriculture’s Programs Branch once the equipment is fully installed, paid for, and operational.
Include all invoices and proof of payments with the claim.

Await Approval and Funding

Wait for the Ministry to review your application and claim. Follow up if necessary.
Receive notification of funding approval and access the grant funds as per the approval terms.

Additional information

Third-party business analyses are eligible for rebate even if the applicant does not proceed with the project or if the project is not ultimately approved.
Applicants are required to review the Agri-Environmental Risk Assessment before beginning their project as a condition to access program funding.
First Nation businesses can access specialized support (BASIS team) to help navigate the application process and eligibility.
Funding is based on a tiered model, and each completed SLIM project cumulatively contributes to a company’s overall project size within the program’s lifetime.

Contact Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (SCAP)

agprograms@gov.sk.ca

866-457-2377

Apply to this program

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