CIDC will consider proposals that:
1. Advance further processing opportunities in British Columbia which could include projects to:
a) Address slaughterhouse waste and specified risk materials disposal issues
b) Determine feasibility of facilities
2. Seek to enhance forage utilization on grazing tenures and private land.
3. Develop and encourage BC “branding.”

Building & Maintaining BC Cattle Industry for Sustainable Growth while also addressing societal expectations

CIDC will consider proposals to address:
1. Environment Issues
a) Water
b) Waste (manure/nutrient) management
c) Enhanced forage utilization.
2. Animal Care
a) Projects from agriculture organizations that seek to address animal care concerns.
b) Encourage cattle producer involvement in farm animal care issues.
3. Safety
a) Improved worker safety
b) Ranchers’ ability to be in compliance with regulatory requirements.

Building Opportunity through Research
CIDC will consider proposals for research to address the priorities.

Who Can Apply?

• individuals and partnerships
• commercial and non-profit organizations;
• industry associations;
• agencies, boards and councils; and
• universities, municipal governments, and government research and/or development agencies.
• The CIDC may initiate projects when circumstances dictate.

Funding Details

The amount of funding for approved projects would depend on the type of project, and the amount of eligible costs as outlined below:

Eligible Costs: Contracted goods and services; materials and supplies (not capital costs); incremental labour (wages plus benefits etc.) and related costs such as travel, training and skill development; rent or lease of facilities and equipment; and administrative costs.

Ineligible Costs: Normal costs of establishing and operating a commercial operation; capital costs (buildings and equipment); and costs incurred before the project was approved and funding for ongoing activities are not eligible for funding, unless approved by CIDC.

Funding and Time Limits: CIDC may impose funding limits.  No projects should be planned for more than three or four years’ duration

Cash Flow: For approved projects, a funding agreement will be signed. It will specify the cash flow arrangements – projects are generally advanced the bulk of the funds require, with a hold-back retained by the fund until the final report of the project is submitted and accepted by Council.

Information Supplied by the Applicant

a) The applicant – type of applicant (individual, corporation, association, university, government etc.) name, address, telephone, fax etc. of principal applicant, together with names etc. of all other persons associated with the project.
b) Title and description of the project – this should include objectives and results to be achieved i.e. who will benefit and how, some background to explain why the project is important to the beef industry, a workplan which describes the methods to be used and activities to be undertaken. The timetable for each of the activities showing when the project would start and finish would also be included in this section.
c) A description of any patentable, copyright, or intellectual property that may result from this project (Ownership of these types of property must be negotiated with CIDC prior to the beginning of the project.)
d) Environmental Impact - A statement describing the likely impact, if any, on the quality of the soil, water or air resources.
e) Communications plan to inform members of the beef cattle industry of the results of this proposal.
f)  Budget showing the required cash flow over the life of the project by month or quarter, showing estimated income and expenses from the project, and the funds required from the BCID Fund.
g) Evaluation - A plan to report on progress and to assess and evaluate the results achieved and their benefits.
h) Experience/qualifications of the applicant(s) to carry out the proposed project.

Project Review and Assessment Process

1. Application is received
2. Application is recorded, assigned an identification number, and reviewed for completeness. Additional information is requested for incomplete applications.
3. Application is reviewed for its merit by an outside assessor
4. Applications are assessed, considering the following:
   Does the project fit within the current priorities and project a benefit to the beef industry?
   Is the project a duplication of projects, funding or work done elsewhere?
   Is there a more suitable funding program elsewhere for which the project is eligible?
   Is the applicant qualified to take the project to completion?
   Other other pertinent issues considered important to the application
5. Council reviews the applications and assessment report at the following council meeting, and makes decisions on applications.
   
   Applicants are advised of council's decision regarding their application. Funding agreements are signed with the successful applicants. Agreement includes terms to outline timing of reports and funding conditions, monitoring and evaluation procedures.

Project Monitoring

There are two aspects to monitoring of approved projects:
1) Administrative – to keep track of all reports, expenses, and advances made for each project, and to send out reminders if required reports or statements are not received in the times agreed to in the contract. This information would be provided to CIDC members in advance of Council meetings.
2) Timely correspondence or visits with the applicant to see how the project is coming along, and to assist with any decisions should the project not be proceeding as planned. This visit could also determine how the results being achieved could be communicated to the beef cattle industry