Agricultural Methane Reduction Challenge – Canada

Deadline: 7-Feb-24

Submissions are now open for the Agricultural Methane Reduction Challenge to advance innovative, scalable and economically viable practices, processes and technologies that contribute to the net reduction of enteric methane emissions from the cattle sector.

Challenge Objectives

The objectives of the Challenge are to:

• Reduce net enteric methane emissions in the cattle sector;
• Accelerate innovative methane reduction solutions, particularly in the cow-calf sector;
• Invest financial and non-financial resources in the rapid development of methane reduction solutions;
• Increase awareness of the impact of methane and ways to reduce emissions in the sector;
• Support the successful adoption and scale-up of solutions on-farm;
• Facilitate knowledge and technology transfer activities within the sector to encourage adoption;
• Improve measurement tools and data to account for methane emissions reduction;
• Facilitate collaborations between the industry, producers, scientists, innovators and AAFC.

Prize Amounts

Up to $12 million in total will be awarded to semi-finalists, finalists and winners of the Challenge alongside a host of non-financial supports such as mentorship, advisory and training supports.

• Stage 1A: Concept application
  • Stage duration: 4 months
  • Number of winners: Up to 20 semi-finalists
  • Prize amount: $100K per semi-finalist
• Stage 1B: Prototype development
  • Stage duration: 9 months
  • Number of winners: Up to 20 semi-finalists
  • Prize amount: $150K per semi-finalist
• Stage 2: Testing and measurement
  • Stage duration: 9 months
  • Number of winners: Up to10 finalists
  • Prize amount: $500K per finalist
• Stage 3: Grow and scale
  • Stage duration: 19 months
  • Number of winners: Up to 2 winners
  • Prize amount: $1M per winner

Eligible Solutions

• In order to be considered for selection, solutions must be aimed at leveraging innovation to achieve specific outcomes tied to reducing enteric methane emissions as described in the above mentioned Challenge Statement.
• While ideas and concepts can originate from anywhere globally, successful applicants will be required to test and scale their solutions in Canada.
• Potential innovation areas include, but are not limited to the following:
  • Feed additives and related technologies
    • Solutions could include feed additives, improving forage quality, precision feeding, and increasing diet digestibility
  • Pasture and grazing management
    • Solutions could include traditional and novel grazing practices, nature-based solutions, winter feeding, improved pasture quality
  • Production efficiencies and animal management systems
    • Solutions could include improved forage quality, feed efficiency practices, genetic selection, animal health improvements

Eligible Applicants

• Eligible applicants for this Challenge include:
  • Businesses or other for-profit organizations incorporated in Canada;
  • Not-for-profit organizations registered in Canada;
  • Producers, producer organizations and associations within Canada;
  • Indigenous (First Nations, Métis, Inuit) individuals, organizations or groups of individuals located in Canada;
  • Post-secondary/academic institutions located in Canada;
  • Individuals or groups of individuals based in Canada;
  • Collaborations between one or more of the above categories of applicants and international parties.
• International individuals or groups of individuals are encouraged to apply but will be required to establish a Canadian legal entity in order to be eligible to receive funding.
• Note: Eligible applicants must be legal entities capable of entering into legally binding agreements.

For more information, visit Impact Canada.