Alberta Innovates — Recovery Technologies Program

Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific requirements related to the applicant's profile and proposed activities.

• Applicants can include technology developers, industry, industrial associations, small and medium-sized enterprises, research and development organizations, post-secondary institutions, municipalities, not-for-profit organizations, government research labs, and individuals.
• Applicants are not required to be based in Alberta but must demonstrate a clear value proposition for the province.
• The project must demonstrate an advancement within a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) range of 3-7.
• Applicants must be legally able to execute the Investment Agreement.

Who is eligible?

The Recovery Technologies Program is open to a diverse group of applicants who are involved in advancing technologies that enhance hydrocarbon recovery while minimizing emissions in Alberta.

• Technology developers working on innovations in hydrocarbon extraction and emission reduction.
• Industry professionals and companies focused on improving recovery processes and creating added value for operators.
• Research and development organizations contributing to new methods and technologies in hydrocarbon recovery.
• Post-secondary institutions conducting research aligned with the program's priorities.
• Not-for-profit organizations involved in projects that enhance hydrocarbon recovery efficiency.
• Municipalities, and government research labs supporting sustainable hydrocarbon recovery initiatives.
• Individuals participating in research or projects that align with program goals.

Who is not eligible

This grant does not explicitly outline any specific restrictions or exclusions for certain companies or industries in its eligibility criteria. It is open to a wide range of entities as long as they can demonstrate alignment with the program's priorities.

Eligible expenses

The grant covers specific expenses directly related to the implementation and success of the project.

• Salary and benefits for individuals who are specifically working on the project.
• Reasonable material costs.
• Capital improvements, including capital equipment and software.
• Travel, including mileage, low economy airfare, meals, and accommodation for the purposes of executing the project.
• Services or products of another entity.

The evaluation and selection of projects for the Recovery Technologies Program are based on specific criteria, focusing on innovation, execution, and impacts to ensure alignment with the program’s objectives.

• Innovation: This includes the originality and advancement of the technology being proposed, as well as its potential to create value for operators and reduce associated emissions. The project should clearly demonstrate how it will improve hydrocarbon recovery technologies. Point score is based on the degree of innovation and relevance to the improvement of recovery efficiency and reduction of emissions.
• Execution: This criterion assesses the feasibility of the proposed project, the clarity and detail of the implementation plan, and the capabilities of the team. It includes evaluation of the technical approach, project plan, timeline, and resource allocation, ensuring that the proposed activities are realistic and achievable within the set timeframes and budgets. Point score is based on the robustness and clarity of the execution plan.
• Impacts: Projects are evaluated based on their potential economic, environmental, and social contributions. This includes potential emissions reduction, economic value creation for Alberta, and alignment with Alberta's 2030 Innovation Targets. The point score is dependent on the projected impacts and contributions to specific GHG mitigation and economic outcomes.

Here are additional relevant details for this grant:

• Projects must align with Alberta Innovates’ strategic priorities and 2030 Innovation Targets.
• Applicants are encouraged to include letters of support from interested end-users to strengthen the application.
• Collaboration between multiple organizations is encouraged to enhance value proposition.
• Alberta Innovates employs an active project management philosophy, with progress reports required for milestone completion.
• Applicants can submit multiple applications but should select only the most promising ones.
• External expert reviewers are used during the evaluation process to ensure objectivity and impartiality.
• Successful projects continue to report for up to five years post-completion to assess long-term benefits.
• Alberta Innovates is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion, ensuring diverse representation during the application process.
• The applicant is responsible for milestone and outcome achievement reporting during the project.