Campus Alberta Small Business Engagement (CASBE) Program
AB, Canada
We offer funding for Alberta-based companies to adopt emerging technologies with the support of researchers from Alberta Post-Secondary Institutions.
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|maxCount
- grant_single|projectCostPercent
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|timelineUnspecified
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Professional, scientific and technical services
grant_single|grantors
- Alberta Innovates
- Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC)
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|open
grant_single_labels|preview
The Campus Alberta Small Business Engagement (CASBE) Program is a leveraged funding partnership with the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) to support collaboration between eligible Alberta post-secondary institutions and small-to-medium sized Alberta companies with up to $150,000 per year for a maximum of two years.
grant_single_labels|projects
This grant is specifically for companies with a presence in Alberta, aligning with the regional focus of Alberta Innovates and associated entities. Applicants must be situated within the provincial boundaries to qualify for this funding.
- Alberta.
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$75,000
Creating a bio-sensor platform to monitor wastewater quality
$75,000
Developing real-time traffic management solutions using IoT
$100,000
Implementing blockchain technology for secure supply chain management
$75,000
Developing AI-driven solutions to optimize oil extraction processes
$75,000
Developing renewable energy solutions for remote areas
$75,000
Creating a smart monitoring system for forest health
grant_single_labels|admissibility
The Industry Partner(s) must meet specific criteria to qualify for this grant.
- The company must be a for-profit SME with at least 2 Full Time Employees (FTE).
- The relationship between the Applicant and Industry Partner(s) must not create a conflict of interest.
- The company must have demonstrated operations (of at least 2 years) in Alberta and be able to continue to adopt and develop the results of the academic research in-house.
- The company must meet the definition of an SME: a company with fewer than 500 Full Time employees, and less than $50,000,000 in annual gross revenue.
- The company must be a legal entity, either incorporated in Alberta or federally/extra-provincially registered in Alberta, or a General Partnership, Limited Partnership, or Limited Liability Partnership registered in Alberta.
- The company must be in good financial and final reporting standing with Alberta Innovates and its subsidiaries, InnoTech Alberta and C-FER Technologies.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
The CASBE program is open to researchers from Alberta post-secondary institutions, including Alberta colleges, polytechnics, and universities, who meet the eligibility criteria for NSERC research programs within the scope of CASBE Stream I and Stream II. These researchers must be authorized to undertake the proposed project and execute a grant agreement with Alberta Innovates. Furthermore, they should not be prohibited from receiving Alberta Innovates funding due to issues like past bad debt, must have a physical presence in Alberta, and should notify Alberta Innovates and NSERC of any changes in the status of the Industry Partner during the project.Industry partners, specifically Alberta SMEs, must be for-profit businesses with at least 2 full-time employees, operational for at least 2 years, and legally registered in Alberta or extra-provincially. The project must involve at least one Alberta SME as an industry partner and adhere to Alberta's research and commercialization priorities and emerging technology areas. Additionally, projects should align with NSERC’s eligibility criteria.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
This grant excludes certain types of companies and industries primarily based on their eligibility status and activity alignment with the grant's objectives. The focus is on supporting for-profit SMEs actively operating within Alberta.
- Non-profit organizations and entities.
- Companies with a workforce of 500 or more full-time employees.
- Businesses generating over $50,000,000 in annual gross revenue.
- Companies that are not legally registered in Alberta or not extra-provincially registered.
- Entities with unresolved financial issues with Alberta Innovates or its subsidiaries.
- Start-ups or companies with less than two years of operational history in Alberta.
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
The Campus Alberta Small Business Engagement (CASBE) program supports projects that facilitate the adoption of emerging technologies by Alberta's SMEs in alignment with provincial research and commercialization priorities. Eligible projects focus on enhancing collaboration between SMEs and post-secondary institutions to drive innovation and commercialization of new technologies.
- Projects enabling Alberta SMEs to adopt emerging technologies in their technological services and/or products.
- Research and development activities that increase R&D activity within Alberta SMEs in collaboration with academic partners.
- Projects that facilitate knowledge transfer to Alberta SMEs, enhancing their skill and knowledge base.
- Initiatives aimed at increasing HQP (Highly Qualified Personnel) experience and technical skills relevant to Alberta SMEs.
- Development and commercialization of new and improved products and services.
- Projects that report an increase in SME R&D investment in Alberta.
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
The CASBE Program covers expenses that are necessary for the completion and success of the proposed project as agreed upon in the Investment Agreement.
- Personnel costs for individuals directly working on the project.
- Costs for materials and supplies required to carry out the project activities.
- Usage of specialized equipment and technology platforms necessary for the research.
- Travel expenses necessary for the implementation of the project.
- Costs associated with knowledge transfer and commercialization activities.
- Costs related to training and development of project personnel.
grant_single_labels|criteria
The evaluation and selection of projects for the Campus Alberta Small Business Engagement (CASBE) grant are based on specific criteria set by Alberta Innovates and NSERC to ensure the projects align with the program’s objectives and intended outcomes.
- Alignment with the CASBE program objectives and Alberta’s research and commercialization priorities.
- Fit with the emerging technology priorities outlined by Alberta Innovates.
- The eligibility of the Applicant, Industry Partner, and the proposed project as per the guidelines.
- Demonstration of the practice of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) in the proposal.
- Merit indicators followed by NSERC as per the specific program applied for funding.
- Evidence of a conflict-free relationship between the Applicant and the Industry Partner(s).
grant_single_labels|register
Here are the steps to submit an application for the CASBE program:
- Step 1: Initial Contact
- Reach out to the CASBE program manager with your NSERC-CASBE proposal idea to assess initial alignment to program requirements.
- Step 2: Submit PSIET Intake Form
- If alignment is identified, submit the Post-Secondary Investments & Emerging Technologies (PSIET) Intake Form via the AI online portal, selecting CASBE within the Funding Opportunities tab.
- Step 3: Submission of Full Proposal
- If the PSIET Intake Form is approved, submit a full proposal through the SmartSimple application portal, attaching a draft PDF version of the NSERC application form.
- Ensure all sections of the application form are completed accurately.
- Step 4: Conditional Approval
- For Stream I (NSERC ARD) and Stream II (NSERC Alliance Advantage and Alliance Quantum): Alberta Innovates will provide a conditional approval email if applicable.
- Attach Alberta Innovates' conditional approval in the NSERC application portal as required.
- Step 5: Final Submission to NSERC
- Once you have Alberta Innovates' conditional approval, proceed to submit the final application through the NSERC online systems (NSERC Convergence Portal or NSERC online system).
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
The CASBE Program aims to boost small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Alberta by supporting research collaborations with academia, focusing on emerging technologies. The program offers funding of up to $150,000 per year for a maximum of two years.
- The program is open to Alberta Colleges, Polytechnics, and Universities eligible for NSERC research programs.
- Industry partners must be SMEs with at least two full-time employees, in operation for at least two years in Alberta, and meet financial criteria.
- Projects must align with Alberta's research and commercialization priorities and cover technology readiness levels 2 to 6.
- Applications undergo initial evaluation by Alberta Innovates before submission to NSERC for final review.
- Performance measurement involves progress reports and monitoring project outcomes for up to five years post-completion.
- An Investment Agreement with detailed roles and responsibilities must be signed before funds are disbursed.
- Contact persons for different streams within the program are provided for specific queries and assistance.
grant_single_labels|contact
shabbir.mustafiz@albertainnovates.ca
780-450-5286
Apply to this program
Empowering Small Businesses Through Innovation
The Campus Alberta Small Business Engagement (CASBE) program offers financial support to enable small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Alberta to integrate emerging technologies within their operations. This funding initiative seeks to enhance the R&D landscape by encouraging collaboration between Alberta post-secondary institutions and local SMEs.
The CASBE Program: Driving Technological Advancements and Economic Growth
The Campus Alberta Small Business Engagement (CASBE) program, managed by Alberta Innovates in collaboration with the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), plays a pivotal role in fostering technology adoption and innovation among Alberta's SMEs. With two defined streams targeted at Alberta colleges, polytechnics, and universities, the program uniquely bridges the gap between the academic sphere and industry needs, aligning with the Government of Alberta’s research and innovation priorities as specified in the Alberta Technology and Innovation Strategy (ATIS).
CASBE's primary objective is to aid Alberta SMEs in diversifying and enhancing their technological capabilities through partnerships with post-secondary institutions. By leveraging the advanced knowledge, state-of-the-art facilities, and skilled students available in these educational establishments, SMEs can accelerate the commercialization of innovative technologies, boosting economic prosperity within the province. The program is designed to increase R&D activities by creating synergies between academia and industry, thus enhancing the skill set of highly qualified personnel (HQP) and facilitating the development of new and improved products or services.
Funding through the CASBE program, available up to $150,000 per year for a maximum of two years, is strategically aligned to complement NSERC's financial contributions, effectively doubling the support available to qualified projects. This matched funding arrangement is crucial for sustaining long-term projects that have the potential to drive significant technological advancements and rapid technology adoption within the industry. Notably, while the program supports new emerging technology research and development, it requires that any technological development falls within TRL levels 2 to 6 to ensure practicality and readiness for commercial application.
Applications for the CASBE program are accepted on a continuous basis, allowing for flexibility and responsiveness to the dynamic needs of SMEs and their academic partners. Prospective applicants are strongly encouraged to initially engage with the CASBE program manager to discuss project ideas and assess their alignment with program goals. This initial consultation step ensures that all parties are fully apprised of the requirements and potential benefits, thereby optimizing the chances for successful funding and project execution. Post this interaction, the detailed application process involves submission through the Alberta Innovates' online portal, followed by coordination with NSERC for joint funding proposals, ensuring that projects meet both sponsorship bodies' eligibility and assessment criteria.
The success of the CASBE program is underscored by its comprehensive performance measurement framework, which mandates milestone-based progress reports and evaluations. This approach not only ensures accountability and efficient use of funds but also provides a profound insight into the program's impact on Alberta's research ecosystem and economy at large. For up to five years post-completion, the outcomes are monitored to assess the social and economic benefits accrued from the supported projects.
In conclusion, the CASBE program represents a transformative opportunity for Alberta SMEs and academic institutions to collaboratively push the boundaries of innovation. By fostering a cohesive R&D environment and supporting the integration of emerging technologies, the CASBE initiative not only aspires to strengthen Alberta's economic resilience but also seeks to inspire broader societal advancements through research excellence and technological breakthroughs.
