Alberta Innovates — R&D Associates Program

This program provides substantial funding opportunities to support the costs associated with employing research and development experts, facilitating the advancement of competitive and innovative technology solutions.

• Non-dilutive funding of up to $105,000 to cover salary costs for the Research and Development Associate over a one-year term.
• Requires a minimum 25% cash contribution from the applicant, based on the total annual base salary of the Associate.

Eligibility for the Industry r&D Associates Program is determined by specific requirements related to the company profile and its innovative solutions.

• The company must be based in Alberta and owned within the province.
• The company must be a small to medium enterprise with fewer than 500 full-time employees.
• The company must have less than $50,000,000 in annual gross revenue.
• The company must commit a minimum of 25 per cent cash contribution of the total annual base salary of the Associate.
• The company must not have more than two active Alberta Innovates-funded Associates simultaneously.
• The company must have an innovative solution that offers a significant competitive advantage over existing solutions.

Who is eligible?

Who is not eligible

Some types of companies may not be eligible for this grant:

• Companies with more than 500 full-time employees.
• Companies with more than $50,000,000 in annual gross revenue.
• Companies that cannot provide a minimum of 25 per cent cash contribution of the total annual base salary of the Associate.
• Companies that do not have an innovative solution offering a significant competitive advantage over existing solutions.
• Companies that are not Alberta-based and owned.
• Companies that already have more than two active Alberta Innovates-funded Associates simultaneously.

Eligible expenses

The Industry r&D Associates Program offers funding support for Alberta tech companies to enhance their innovation capabilities. Eligible projects include hiring research and development expertise to advance technology and company growth.

• Accelerating and progressing the development of new technological and innovative solutions.
• Attracting and retaining technical expertise within the company.
• De-risking the development and scaling of innovative products.

Eligible geographic areas

This grant is available to Alberta-based companies as determined by the funding body's guidelines. The eligible geographical area is focused on ensuring the development and retention of innovation within Alberta.

• Companies based in the Province of Alberta, Canada.

All applications are reviewed and evaluated to determine fit with the Industry r&D Associates Program objectives and intended outcomes. Alberta Innovates staff and external expert reviewers are engaged to evaluate applications.

• Fit with the Industry r&D Associates Program objectives and intended outcomes
• Evaluation by Alberta Innovates staff
• Evaluation by external expert reviewers

Here are additional relevant details for this grant:

• Applications are subject to review and evaluation by Alberta Innovates staff and external expert reviewers.
• The program is accepting applications on a continuous basis, meaning there is no fixed deadline for submissions.
• Potential applicants are advised to connect with Alberta Innovates initially to discuss their application and obtain guidance on the next steps.