Alberta Innovates — Voucher Program

Who is eligible?

• Alberta-based technology companies
• Alberta-based innovation companies developing novel, promising technologies
• Small and medium-sized for-profit corporations in Alberta
• For-profit general partnerships, limited partnerships, and limited liability partnerships registered in Alberta

Who is not eligible

• Organizations that are not for‑profit corporations, general partnerships, limited partnerships or limited liability partnerships (for example, non‑profits or charities).
• Companies that are not incorporated or registered in Alberta, or do not have the required Alberta footprint (significant physical and operational presence, appropriate Alberta ownership, and intent that benefits flow primarily to Alberta).
• Large enterprises with 500 or more full‑time employees or annual gross revenues of $50,000,000 or more.
• Applicants that are prohibited from receiving Alberta Innovates funding due to past bad debt or not being in good financial standing with Alberta Innovates or its subsidiaries.
• Projects where required goods or services would be purchased from U.S.-based vendors using grant funds without Alberta Innovates’ prior written consent.

Eligible expenses

• Invoices from eligible external service providers for services directly related to the project during the project period.
• Purchase of capital equipment and capital improvements to facilities (excluding land and buildings) that are critical to the project, with the funded portion prorated over the asset’s economic life.
• Acquisition of software or information databases essential to delivering the project, with costs prorated over the project period.
• Pre‑approved or quoted travel by service providers that is necessary to complete the project (e.g., mileage, economy airfare, reasonable accommodation and meals).
• Unrecoverable GST paid on eligible project costs, where the company is not otherwise reimbursed.

Eligible geographic areas

• Companies incorporated or registered in the province of Alberta, Canada, with their main operations and footprint in Alberta.

• Fit with the Voucher Program’s objectives and intended outcomes.
• Strength and potential of the technology and business opportunity, including product/market fit and export potential.
• Quality and capabilities of the management team and overall business readiness.
• Technical feasibility and plan to progress technology readiness level and scale-up.
• Expected benefits to Alberta, including job creation, revenue and export growth, economic diversification, and socio-environmental impacts.

• Step 1: Initial contact (Connect With Us)
  • Go to the Alberta Innovates “Connect With Us” portal using the provided link.
  • Fill out the short questionnaire to describe your company, your innovation project, and where you are in your commercialization journey.
  • Submit the questionnaire so that a Technology Development Advisor or business expert can review your information.
  • Wait to be contacted by Alberta Innovates with guidance on next steps and program fit.
• Step 2: Engage a Technology Development Advisor (project scoping)
  • Discuss your project with a Technology Development Advisor (TDA) or business expert, as encouraged in the Program Guide.
  • Work with the TDA to scope your project and assess your readiness for the Voucher Program.
  • Identify the work that will be done by up to three external service providers to advance your technology towards commercialization.
  • Obtain written quotes from each proposed service provider that follow the Voucher Program quote requirements (labelled as a quote or estimate, with services, costs, expiry date, and estimated timeline).
• Step 3: Access the online portal (SmartSimple registration/login)
  • Go to the SmartSimple online application portal at the URL indicated for Alberta Innovates.
  • If you are a new client, create an account in SmartSimple as instructed on the portal.
  • If you are a current client, log in to your existing SmartSimple account.
• Step 4: Complete the Voucher application form (application preparation)
  • Locate the Voucher Program application form within the SmartSimple portal.
  • Complete all required sections describing the current state of your opportunity, your business readiness, participation of service provider(s), the intended project activities and benefits, and your current financial state, as indicated in the Program Guide.
  • Attach required supporting documents, which may include service provider quotes and any other items requested in the online form.
  • Ensure that your project timeline fits within the maximum one-year project term set for Voucher-funded projects.
• Step 5: Submit application via SmartSimple (electronic submission)
  • Review all entered information and uploaded documents in SmartSimple for completeness and accuracy.
  • Submit the completed Voucher Program application through the SmartSimple portal.
  • Save or print any on-screen confirmation provided by the portal for your records.
• Step 6: Application review and evaluation (assessment stage)
  • Alberta Innovates staff and external expert reviewers evaluate your application to determine alignment with the Voucher Program objectives and intended outcomes.
  • Be available to respond to any follow-up questions or requests for clarification from Alberta Innovates during the review process.
• Step 7: Funding decision and agreement (post‑approval setup)
  • If your application is approved, receive notice of approval from Alberta Innovates.
  • Review the Sample Investment Agreement – Voucher made available online to understand standard terms and conditions.
  • Sign the formal Investment Agreement sent by Alberta Innovates; funding only begins after all parties have signed.
• Step 8: Project launch and reporting (after agreement is signed)
  • Once the Investment Agreement is fully executed, begin incurring eligible project costs within the agreed project period.
  • Submit milestone-based reports and financial information as required in your Investment Agreement and Program Guide, using the templates and processes provided by Alberta Innovates.
  • Receive grant payments from Alberta Innovates after your milestone reports are submitted and approved.
• Step 9: Contact for questions (support during process)
  • For any questions at any stage, contact Alberta Innovates at the published phone number (403-210-5229) or email address (intake@albertainnovates.ca).
  • Use the Support Resources listed (SmartSimple portal, Financial Documents Resource, Quote Sample, Technology Development Advisors, Regional Innovation Network, and Connectica) as needed while preparing and submitting your application.

• Applications are accepted on a continuous intake basis; there is no fixed deadline for submitting a project.
• The program supports working with up to three separate contracted service providers within a single project.
• Alberta Innovates provides sample documents (investment agreement, financial documents guide, and quote template) to help applicants structure their submissions and project documentation.
• Technology Development Advisors and Regional Innovation Networks offer free coaching and connections to ecosystem resources alongside this funding.