Alberta Innovates — Bitumen Partial Upgrading Program
AB, Canada
Unlock Alberta's innovation potential with the Clean Resources Program!
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- grant_single|timelineUnspecified
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Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
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- Alberta Innovates
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grant_card_status|open
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The Bitumen Partial Upgrading program supports technologies aimed at enhancing the value of processed bitumen while reducing associated emissions. Eligible activities include advancing technology development within a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) range of 3-7, and applicants can range from technology developers and industry associations to post-secondary institutions and not-for-profit organizations. This program aims to reduce diluent requirements and create better feedstocks for non-combustion products.
grant_single_labels|projects
This grant is open to applicants globally, but projects must clearly outline a value proposition specifically for Alberta. Geographical targeting ensures solutions align with Alberta's strategic and economic goals.
- Projects addressing Alberta's challenges and opportunities.
- Initiatives piloted, demonstrated, or executed in Alberta.
- Proposals with long-term Alberta-based infrastructure or resources.
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$400,000
Creating an education program for bitumen upgrading technologies in partnership with local universities
$500,000
Upgrading raw bitumen through a microporous filtration system to reduce environmental impact
$900,000
Developing a novel bitumen upgrading process to reduce emissions and enhance feedstock quality
$280,000
Conducting market analysis for commercialization of advanced bitumen upgrading technology
$700,000
Establishing a bitumen upgrading research lab focusing on emission reductions
$600,000
Implementing a pilot project for low-emission bitumen slurry preparation
grant_single_labels|admissibility
The grant eligibility criteria determine if a lead applicant is qualified to apply based on specific organizational and project requirements.
- The Process is open to all categories of lead applicants, including technology developers, industry, industrial associations, small and medium-sized enterprises, research and development (R&D) organizations, post-secondary institutions, municipalities, not-for-profit organizations, government research labs, and individuals.
- Applicants must demonstrate a clear value proposition for Alberta.
- Technology development projects must clearly demonstrate a market exists for commercialization of the technology.
- Knowledge generation projects must clearly demonstrate the value proposition for the end-user of the knowledge solution.
- Applicants with strong end-user partnerships and/or funding from other organizations are preferred.
- Collaboration between multiple organizations is encouraged to enhance and leverage the value proposition.
- Projects must be aligned with Government of Alberta’s priorities, including the 2030 Innovation Targets.
- Projects must have clear objectives, milestones, deliverables, and timelines.
- The Clean Resources continuous intake process prioritizes technology development projects within Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 3 – 7.
- Projects must demonstrate a clear and justified value proposition in Alberta.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
The Clean Resources Program under Alberta Innovates allows a wide range of applicants to participate and apply for funding, targeting entities that can demonstrate valuable contributions to Alberta's innovation ecosystem.
- Technology developers seeking to advance innovation.
- Industry and industrial associations engaged in relevant sectors.
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) focused on technological advancement.
- Research and development (R&D) organizations contributing scientific insights.
- Post-secondary institutions conducting applicable research.
- Municipalities involved in projects benefiting local communities.
- Not-for-profit organizations with innovative project proposals.
- Government research labs seeking to transform scientific findings into actionable technologies.
- Individuals with innovative ideas that align with specific provincial objectives.
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
This grant supports innovative projects and activities that drive clean resources development and commercialization in Alberta. The eligible projects must align with Alberta Innovates' strategic focus areas, contributing significantly towards economic, environmental, and technological advancements.
- Projects focusing on cleaner hydrocarbon production and methane emission reductions.
- Initiatives aimed at developing innovative hydrocarbon products such as bitumen beyond combustion.
- Development of renewable and alternative energy sources like grid modernization and energy storage.
- Research in bioenergy and circular economy including waste conversion and renewable fuels.
- Carbon capture, utilization, and sequestration (CCUS) technologies, alongside hydrogen production projects.
- Efforts in critical minerals extraction and leveraging emerging technologies in mining.
- Environmental innovation projects targeting water supply management and climate change adaptation.
- Projects centered around biodiversity conservation and remediation of abandoned well sites.
- Enhancing agriculture productivity and market access through innovative technologies.
- Knowledge generation projects addressing gaps in technology deployment or policy advancement.
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
Funding can be applied to the following expenses directly attributable to the performance of agreed-upon projects.
- Salary and benefits for individuals specifically working on the project.
- Reasonable material costs.
- Pro-rated capital improvements, equipment, and software based on the asset's expected economic life.
- Travel costs including mileage, low economy airfare, meals, and accommodation for executing the project.
- Services or products of another entity, if directly related to project performance.
grant_single_labels|criteria
The evaluation and selection of projects for the Clean Resources Program through Alberta Innovates are designed to assess proposals against distinct phases and strategic criteria, focusing on their alignment with program goals and potential impact.
- Alignment with Government of Alberta’s priorities and Clean Resources’ strategic priorities.
- Contribution towards the 2030 Innovation Targets.
- Demonstration of clear economic, environmental, and innovation potential.
- Ability to achieve well-defined objectives, milestones, and deliverables.
- Potential to provide transformative solutions in key focus areas such as emerging technologies and GHG mitigation.
- Strength and engagement of partnerships, including end-user involvement and contributions.
- Clarity and justification of the project's value proposition for Alberta.
- Feasibility and clarity of the proposed project plan and methodology.
grant_single_labels|register
Here are the steps to submit an application for this grant:
- Step 1: Engagement with Project Advisor
- Contact a Clean Resources Project Advisor to assess if your project aligns with Alberta Innovates and Government of Alberta priorities.
- Use program links to find contact information for the appropriate Project Advisor.
- Step 2: Registration on Application Portal
- Register on the Alberta Innovates Application Portal.
- Step 3: Submission of Intake Form
- Access and complete the Clean Resources Continuous Intake Form within the Funding Opportunities tab on the Portal dashboard.
- Submit the Intake Form for review.
- Step 4: Invitation to Submit Detailed Proposal
- If your Intake Form is approved, you will be invited to submit a Detailed Proposal.
- Step 5: Submission of Detailed Proposal
- Prepare and submit a Detailed Proposal, ensuring that it is of high quality to compete for funding.
- Note that this process can take 3 to 6 months depending on the funding request size.
- Step 6: Application Review
- Project Advisors and external reviewers evaluate the proposal based on program focus areas and strategic priorities.
- Step 7: Agreement Execution of Successful Applications
- Successful applicants will execute an agreement with Alberta Innovates.
- The agreement will include project management and reporting details.
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Apply to this program
Support for Sustainable Innovation in Alberta's Resource Sectors
The Clean Resources program offers continual financial support to projects leveraging innovative technologies to foster sustainable growth in Alberta's resource sectors, aiming to meet the 2030 Innovation Targets. With a focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, enhancing oil sands efficiency, and promoting clean technologies, this grant is crucial for businesses and organizations aspiring to contribute to Alberta's environmental and economic objectives.
Exploring the Impact and Framework of the Clean Resources Program
The Clean Resources program under Alberta Innovates serves as a pivotal initiative aimed at promoting environmental sustainability and economic diversification within Alberta's key resource sectors, including oil and gas, clean technology, agriculture, and forestry. This strategically designed program incorporates a continuous intake process, which means applications for funding can be submitted at any time, allowing for flexibility and a steady flow of potential projects that align with Alberta’s long-term sustainability goals. This setup is particularly advantageous as it provides constant opportunities for technological advancements that are essential in tackling environmental challenges and supporting economic growth.
Alberta Innovates prioritizes projects that align with the 2030 Innovation Targets, which aim to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve resource efficiency, and enhance environmental performance. These targets include achieving a 45% reduction in methane emissions by 2025, making renewable sources contribute to 30% of Alberta’s electricity generation, and increasing the market value of Alberta's oil and gas exports by 25%. The program seeks projects that can contribute to these ambitious goals, thereby fostering an environment of innovative thinking and technological evolution.
The program is open to a broad spectrum of applicants, including research institutions, government labs, not-for-profits, and industry players outside of Alberta, provided they establish a clear value proposition for the province. This inclusive approach is designed to attract varied expertise and drive collaborative innovations that can be commercialized, thus bringing tangible economic and environmental benefits to Albertans. While the program does not require partnerships, projects with strong end-user engagement are often favored, ensuring that innovations are market-ready and address real-world challenges effectively.
Through its structured funding framework, the Clean Resources program supports up to $2 million per project, covering between 25 to 50% of the total project costs. This funding mechanism not only shares the financial burden with other partners and funding agencies but also encourages the stacking of funds, enhancing the project's financial viability. The program emphasizes the strategic use of these funds to push projects from the development phase into full commercial realization, thereby amplifying the potential for significant impacts on Alberta's resource sectors.
Moreover, the program embeds robust performance management and evaluation measures, ensuring that funded projects deliver against expected milestones and outcomes. Regular project reviews, rigorous accountability frameworks, and milestone-based funding disbursements ensure that the projects remain on track and effectively deliver their projected environmental and economic benefits.
Alberta Innovates plays a crucial role in not only funding these initiatives but also in facilitating a supportive ecosystem, ensuring long-term impact and continuous improvement in Alberta’s approach to sustainable innovation. The spirit of the Clean Resources program is one of partnership and advancement, aligning public and private sector goals to forge an economically and environmentally balanced future.
