Alberta Innovates — Bitumen Partial Upgrading Program
AB, Canada
Unlock Alberta's innovation potential with the Clean Resources Program!
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grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|maxCount
- grant_single|projectCostPercent
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- grant_single|timelineUnspecified
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
grant_single|grantors
- 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
Projects that are eligible for this grant should have a well-defined scope, aligning with Government of Alberta’s priorities. These projects can fall within the realms of innovation-commercialization or knowledge generation, and should demonstrate economic, environmental, and greenhouse gas emissions reduction potential.
- Technology development projects advancing along Technology Readiness Levels (TRL 3-7)
- Knowledge generation projects addressing technical, process, or policy innovations
- Technology validation and commercialization initiatives
- Gathering new scientific data to inform policy and regulatory development
- Enhancing citizen engagement in generating new knowledge
- Exploring market sector challenges and barriers to technology implementation
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$400,000
Edmonton
Creating an education program for bitumen upgrading technologies in partnership with local universities
$500,000
Vancouver
Upgrading raw bitumen through a microporous filtration system to reduce environmental impact
$900,000
Calgary
Developing a novel bitumen upgrading process to reduce emissions and enhance feedstock quality
$280,000
Montreal
Conducting market analysis for commercialization of advanced bitumen upgrading technology
$700,000
Toronto
Establishing a bitumen upgrading research lab focusing on emission reductions
$600,000
Edmonton
Implementing a pilot project for low-emission bitumen slurry preparation
grant_single_labels|admissibility
The eligibility criteria for the Clean Resources grant require that applicants demonstrate a clear value proposition for Alberta and align projects with Government of Alberta priorities. Eligible projects can be for innovation-commercialization or knowledge generation and must have well-defined objectives and deliverables.
- Technology developers, industry, industrial associations, SMEs, R&D organizations, post-secondary institutions, municipalities, not-for-profit organizations, government research labs, and individuals are eligible applicants.
- Applicants do not need to be based in Alberta but must show clear value proposition for the province.
- Projects must align with Government of Alberta’s priorities, including the 2030 Innovation Targets.
- Technology projects should typically be within Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 3 – 7.
- Projects should demonstrate potential to improve best practices, operations, or policy.
- Applicants should provide a portion of the funding, including cash and in-kind contributions.
- Projects researched, piloted, demonstrated, or implemented in Alberta with long-term Alberta-based infrastructure/resources will be prioritized.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
Yes, there are eligible types of companies for this grant. The process is open to all categories of lead applicants, including technology developers, industry, and small/medium-sized enterprises.
- 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
- Individuals
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
Yes, there are eligible expenses for this grant. The eligible expenses include specific costs attributed to labor, materials, capital assets, software, travel, sub-contractors, and other pre-approved costs.
- Salary and benefits for individuals who are specifically working on the project
- Reasonable material costs
- Capital improvements
- Capital equipment
- Software or information databases (pro-rated to the project time frame based on the asset’s expected economic life)
- Travel, including mileage, low economy airfare, meals, and accommodation for the purposes of executing the project
- Services or products of another entity
- Costs which Alberta Innovates pre-approves in writing as an eligible expense
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
All projects supported through the Process must demonstrate a clear and justified value proposition in Alberta. Technology solutions can originate from anywhere globally but must address challenges and opportunities of importance to Alberta.
grant_single_labels|criteria
Yes, there are evaluation and selection criteria for this grant. The continuous intake application and management process for the Clean Resources Program includes a thorough review of the project's merit, alignment with strategic priorities, and potential impact towards 2030 Innovation Targets.
- Alignment with Government of Alberta’s priorities and Alberta Innovates’ strategic and business priorities
- Potential to contribute towards Alberta’s 2030 Innovation Targets
- Clear and justified value proposition for Alberta
- Clear delineation of project scope, including objectives, milestones, deliverables, and timelines
- Demonstrated market potential and end-user engagement for technology development projects
- Project’s compliance with eligibility criteria (e.g., technology or knowledge development within specified TRL)
- Potential economic, environmental, GHG emission reduction, and innovation impacts
- Quality and strength of partnerships and collaboration opportunities
- Level of funding requested and corresponding justification
- Applicant’s portion of funding towards the project, including cash and in-kind contributions
- Demonstrated involvement and contributions from Alberta’s post-secondary and research institutions
grant_single_labels|register
- Step 1: Contact a Clean Resources Project Advisor (“Project Advisor”)
- Assess if the project scope meets the minimum requirements of aligning with Government of Alberta, Alberta Innovates, and Clean Resources priorities.
- Use the program links to find the contact information for the appropriate Project Advisor.
- Step 2: Register on the Alberta Innovates Application Portal (“Portal”)
- Step 3: Access, complete, and submit the Clean Resources Continuous Intake Form (“Intake Form”) within the Funding Opportunities tab on the Portal dashboard.
- Step 4: Intake Form Review
- Review led by the Project Advisor, in consultation with the Clean Resources Management Team, to determine if the proposed project will be invited to submit a Detailed Proposal.
- Step 5: Invitation to Submit Detailed Proposal
- This phase is by invitation only.
- Divided into Low Dollar (Projects $200K or UNDER) and High Dollar (Projects OVER $200K) funding requests.
- If the review is positive, a funding recommendation will be made to senior management and may include adjustments to the funding request and/or funding conditions.
- Step 6: Completion of Agreement
- Successful applicants will execute an agreement with Alberta Innovates to proceed with the Project.
- Agreement will include details on project management activities, reporting timelines, and milestone achievement.
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
Apply to this program
Alberta Innovates Clean Resources Grant
The Alberta Innovates Clean Resources Grant supports innovative projects that aim to enhance Alberta's economic growth, environmental performance, and social well-being. This grant focuses on emerging technologies, energy and GHG mitigation, environmental and climate adaptation, and various sectors such as agriculture, food, and fibre production.
Understanding the Alberta Innovates Clean Resources Grant
The Alberta Innovates Clean Resources Grant is designed to be a catalyst for innovation in Alberta, focusing on accelerating technology development and deployment, growing businesses, and enhancing the competitiveness of the resource sector. This grant aligns with Alberta's priorities and aims to support projects that significantly impact economic growth, environmental sustainability, and societal well-being.
Program Overview
Alberta Innovates is a Government of Alberta corporation dedicated to supporting research and innovation that drive economic diversification, enhanced environmental performance, and improved social well-being. Alberta Innovates operates through three core divisions: Clean Resources, Health Innovation, and Investments. This organization also includes two wholly-owned research subsidiaries: InnoTech Alberta and C-FER Technologies.
The Clean Resources division leverages Alberta's natural resources and human capacity while embracing a digital future to ensure sustainable growth in an increasingly digital-based economy. This division focuses on five technology portfolios: Advanced Hydrocarbons, Clean Technology, Environmental Innovation, Agri-Food, and Bioindustrial Innovation Program (ABIP).
Strategic Focus Areas and Innovation Targets
The Clean Resources Grant prioritizes projects that align with Alberta's 2030 Innovation Targets, which aim to inspire transformative solutions across various areas of importance. The key focus areas include:
- Emerging technologies
- Energy and GHG mitigation
- Environment and climate adaptation
- Agriculture, food, and fibre production
Projects that contribute to these targets are given priority for funding and support. Specific 2030 Innovation Targets include:
- Reducing GHG emissions by accelerating solutions to reduce methane emissions by 45% by 2025
- Increasing the market value of Alberta’s oil and gas exports by 25%
- Improving oil sands production efficiency by decreasing fresh water use by 50%, GHG emissions by 50%, and supply cost of bitumen
- Contributing up to 30% of Alberta’s electricity generation from renewable sources
- Reducing organic waste to landfill by 50%
- Attracting an additional $3 billion private sector investment in Alberta's bioindustrial sector
- Increasing exports from bioindustrial sectors by five times while maintaining environmental sustainability
- Enhancing crop and livestock quality and productivity by 30%
- Ensuring agriculture, food, and beverage production meets or exceeds public expectations by 10%
- Improving overall water use efficiency by 30% and enhancing aquatic ecosystems
- Reducing landscape disturbance intensity by 20%
- Maintaining or enhancing biodiversity relative to reference conditions
- Increasing sales revenue in the Cleantech sector by 25%
- Doubling the value of Alberta's manufacturing sector to $40 billion
- Generating more than $20 billion in annual revenues from the ICT industry
Application Process
The application process is divided into three phases:
Phase 1: Engagement and Intake
Initial engagement with a Clean Resources Project Advisor is required to ensure project alignment with Alberta Innovates’ and the Government of Alberta's strategic priorities. Applicants must register on the Alberta Innovates Application Portal, complete, and submit the Clean Resources Continuous Intake Form. This form is reviewed by a Project Advisor and the Clean Resources Management Team to decide if the project will progress to the detailed proposal stage.
Phase 2: Detailed Proposal
This phase is by invitation only and is highly competitive. There are two types of applications based on funding requests: Low Dollar (projects $200K or under) and High Dollar (projects over $200K). Review timelines are approximately 3 months for low dollar applications and 4-6 months for high dollar applications. Successful proposals might receive funding recommendations, including adjustments to the funding request or conditions.
Phase 3: Project Management
Successful applicants will execute an agreement with Alberta Innovates covering project management activities, progress reporting, milestone achievement, and budget monitoring. Project payments are based on milestone completion and progress reports. This phase's duration depends on the project's scope and timeline.
Eligibility Criteria
This grant is open to various lead applicants, including technology developers, industry, SMEs, R&D organizations, post-secondary institutions, municipalities, non-profits, government research labs, and individuals. While applicants are not required to be based in Alberta, they must demonstrate a clear value proposition for the province. End-user partnerships and collaboration between multiple organizations are encouraged to enhance and leverage the value proposition, emphasizing technology validation, commercialization, and sharing of results.
Project Eligibility
Projects must align with the Government of Alberta’s priorities and the 2030 Innovation Targets. They can be innovation-commercialization or knowledge generation projects, clearly delineating the scope of work for funding. The grant typically supports 25-50% of total project costs, up to $2 million per project, with co-funding encouraged from other agencies and project partners. Technology projects should range from Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 3-7.
Performance Management and Evaluation
An active project management philosophy is employed, regularly monitoring performance and milestone achievement. Funding is tied to outcomes and progress reports, with regular project update meetings. Alberta Innovates continues to collect information from clients for up to five years post-project to assess economic, environmental, and social benefits.
How to Apply
Submit the Intake Form anytime through the Alberta Innovates Application Portal. Engage with a Project Advisor to assess project alignment with strategic priorities and innovation targets. The Project Advisor will assist in completing the form and connect applicants with additional funding programs if available. The advisor acts as the primary contact throughout the application process and investment agreement timeframe.
Confidentiality and Trusted Partners
Alberta Innovates protects the confidentiality of application details, with external reviewers under strict confidentiality agreements. Post-funding announcements, Alberta Innovates publicly shares non-confidential summaries of approved projects. Confidentiality is maintained throughout the application process and beyond.
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
Alberta Innovates promotes equitable opportunities for all, focusing on increasing diversity and inclusivity within the research and innovation ecosystem. Initiatives include data collection on diversity, navigation support for under-represented groups, and integrating an EDI focus into due diligence processes.
