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Alberta Innovates — R&D Associates Program
Last Update: March 4, 2026
Alberta, Canada
Wage subsidy for an R&D associate in Alberta
Grant and Funding
Wage Subsidies And Interns
Overview
Get up to $105,000 to cover up to 75% of the salary of a professional to work on proof of concepts, prototyping, feasibility assessments and more over a one-year project.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Improve employee retention
- Develop a new product
- Research and experimental development
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 105,000 $
- Up to 25% of project cost
Timeline
- Open continuously
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Information and cultural industries
- Professional, scientific and technical services
Location
- Alberta
Legal structures
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- $ 50,000,000 maximum revenue
Organisation size
- 500 employees maximum
Audience
- Startups
Activities funded
Examples of admissible projects:
$ 105,000
Develop an environmentally-friendly packaging solution using bioplastics
$ 82,500
Prototype a new soil moisture sensor for precision agriculture
$ 101,250
Create a feasibility assessment for tidal energy conversion
$ 88,125
Develop an automated underwriting system for financial loans
$ 93,750
Perform a proof of concept for a blockchain-based supply chain solution
$ 90,000
Develop an AI-driven customer service chatbot for local businesses
Eligibility
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?
Alberta-based Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs) with fewer than 500 full-time employees and less than $50,000,000 in annual gross revenue can apply for this grant. Applicants must have an innovative solution with a competitive advantage and be able to contribute at least 25 per cent of the total annual base salary of the Associate. Companies are not eligible if they have more than two active Alberta Innovates-funded Associates simultaneously.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.
Selection criteria
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
How to apply
1
Connect With Us
- Reach out to Alberta Innovates through their contact email (intake@albertainnovates.ca) or phone number (403-210-5229).
- Discuss your interest in the Industry R&D Associates Program with a business expert.
2
Discuss Next Steps
- Await contact from a business expert who will review your details.
- Receive guidance on how to proceed with your application based on your eligibility and project fit.
3
Prepare Application (for current clients)
- Access the online application portal, SmartSimple, using your client account.
- Complete the application forms provided in the portal.
- Compile any necessary supporting documents as directed in the program guide.
4
Submit Application
- Log into SmartSimple to upload and submit all required documents and forms.
- Ensure your application is complete before final submission.
5
Await Evaluation
- Applications will be reviewed by Alberta Innovates staff and external experts.
- You will be notified of the results following the completion of the evaluation process.
Additional information
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.
Contacts
intake@albertainnovates.ca
403-210-5229
