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Carbon Capture Kickstart

Q: How much funding can be received?

Carbon Capture Kickstart Funds up to 10% of admissible expenses, capped at $5000000 per project.

Q: What is the deadline to apply?

The program is accepting continuous intake

Q: Is the Carbon Capture Kickstart a grant, loan, or tax credit?

Carbon Capture Kickstart is a Grant and Funding

Q: Who are the financial supporters of the Carbon Capture Kickstart?

Carbon Capture Kickstart is funded by Government of Alberta, Emissions Reduction Alberta (ERA)

Q: Who is eligible for the Carbon Capture Kickstart program?

To be eligible for the Carbon Capture Kickstart program, you must: • Open to technology developers, industry operators, industrial associations, SMEs, and municipalities. • Proposals must target large final emitter sites in Alberta. • Applicants must demonstrate readiness for commercial-scale projects.

Q: Who can I contact for more information about the Carbon Capture Kickstart?

You can contact Government of Alberta.

Q: Where is the Carbon Capture Kickstart available?

The Carbon Capture Kickstart program is available the province of Alberta.

Last Update: December 2, 2025

Calgary, AB

Funding pre-construction studies for industrial carbon capture projects in Alberta

Grant and Funding

Emissions Reduction Alberta

Government of Alberta

At a glance

Funding available

Financing goals

Reduce the ecological footprint

Integrate new technologies

Develop an online presence

Eligible Funding

Maximum amount : 5,000,000 $
Up to 10% of project cost

Timeline

Unspecified

Eligible candidates

Eligible Industries

Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
Utilities
Manufacturing
Public administration

Location

Calgary

Legal structures

Non-profit
Public or Parapublic institution
For-profit business

Annual revenue

All revenue ranges

Organisation size

All organization sizes

Audience

All groups

Non-profit candidates

Sector of operation

Research
Environment
Economic, Social and Community Development
Employment and Training

Target group

Business owners / entrepreneurs
Nonprofits / charities
Academia / students

Revenue structure

All structures

Scope

Municipal
Provincial
National

Overview

The Carbon Capture Kickstart program provides up to $5 million per project to support pre-construction studies for large-scale carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) initiatives in Alberta. This funding aims to accelerate the development of industrial carbon capture technologies, focusing on design, engineering, and feasibility studies rather than capital costs.

Activities funded

Pre-construction studies for facility-specific carbon capture projects across major industrial sectors.
Design and engineering of industrial-scale carbon capture and transportation technologies.
Feasibility studies for CCUS (carbon capture, utilization, and sequestration) integration at large emitter sites.
Evaluation of onsite carbon capture, direct air capture, direct carbon conversion, or strategic CO2 transportation infrastructure for industrial facilities.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 2,500,000

Installation planning for direct carbon conversion facility

$ 4,500,000

Pre-construction design of a CO2 transportation pipeline network

$ 3,500,000

Engineering studies for the retrofitting of an existing power plant with CO2 capture technology

$ 4,000,000

Feasibility study for direct air capture technology installation

$ 3,000,000

Design and engineering of an onsite carbon capture system for a manufacturing plant

$ 5,000,000

Developing strategic CO2 transportation infrastructure between cities and surrounding industrial areas

Eligibility

The applicant must be an organization operating in Alberta, including technology developers, industry operators, industrial associations, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), municipalities, or post-secondary and research institutions.
The project proposal must target a specific, existing large final emitter site in Alberta, from sectors such as power generation, cement production, industrial manufacturing, oil and gas, or similar industries.
The proposed project must be focused on pre-construction design and engineering for onsite carbon capture, direct air capture, direct carbon conversion, or strategic CO2 transportation infrastructure.
The technology proposed must be at a sufficient stage of technical and commercial readiness suitable for commercial-scale projects at an actual industrial site.
The applicant must commit to knowledge sharing by publishing study outcomes and collaborating with ERA and other funding recipients.

Who is eligible?

Technology developers
Industry operators
Industrial associations
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)
Municipalities

Who is not eligible

Based on the provided information, there are no explicit restrictions mentioned regarding the types of companies or industries that are not eligible for this grant. The context does not specify any particular sectors or company statuses that are excluded from applying.

Eligible expenses

Pre-construction design and engineering study costs related to carbon capture, utilization, and sequestration (CCUS) technologies.
Expenses for feasibility assessments and technical studies for onsite carbon capture, direct air capture, direct carbon conversion, and CO2 transportation infrastructure.
Consulting and professional fees associated with conducting studies and preparing required reports.
Costs related to final outcomes reports and knowledge-sharing activities as specified by the funding requirements.

Eligible geographic areas

Large final emitter sites located in Alberta.

Selection criteria

Demonstrated incorporation of learnings from previous CCUS projects or studies.
Clarity on how the funded study will provide transferrable knowledge for future projects.
Commitment to publicly sharing study outcomes and key results, considering confidentiality requirements as needed.
Active participation in knowledge sharing activities such as roundtables and public events.
Provision of thorough post-project reports detailing outcomes and achievements, including environmental and economic benefits.

How to apply

Review Guidelines and Resources

Read the Call for Expressions of Interest Guidelines to understand the scope and requirements.
Attend informational webinars for detailed insights.
Refer to Eligible Expense and Cost Instructions to prepare your budget.
Review the Privacy, Confidentiality, Data, and Security Policy to ensure compliance.
Check the Frequently Asked Questions section for additional clarity.

Conduct Preliminary Research

Assess your project's alignment with provincial and federal funding priorities.
Identify potential partnerships and collaborations with Alberta's post-secondary and research institutions.
Evaluate your project's feasibility in terms of technical and commercial readiness.

Prepare Your Proposal

Develop a comprehensive study plan that demonstrates advancement beyond the current state.
Include specific details on how the project will incorporate learnings from previous CCUS projects.
Ensure the study targets existing large final emitter sites in Alberta.
Compile all required documentation to support your proposal, focusing on GHG reductions and other benefits.

Submit Your Application

Complete the application form, ensuring all sections are accurately filled out.
Upload all required documents via the designated submission portal before the deadline.
Ensure acknowledgment of receipt from the submission system.

Participate in the Review Process

Engage with evaluators as required during the review process.
Be prepared to provide additional information or clarifications if requested.

Await Decision

Monitor communications for updates and decisions regarding your application.
Prepare to commence the project upon approval following outlined conditions and timelines.

Additional information

Recipients must publicly share final outcomes reports to benefit the broader Alberta community.
Participation in annual confidential roundtables and public lessons learned events is required.
Knowledge gained from funded studies is intended to inform future investment decisions and public policy.
Some selected projects may also receive additional federal funding through Natural Resources Canada.

Apply to this program

Frequently Asked Questions about the Carbon Capture Kickstart Program

Here are answers to the most common questions about the Carbon Capture Kickstart. This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.

What is the Carbon Capture Kickstart?

How much funding can be received?

What expenses are eligible under Carbon Capture Kickstart?

Pre-construction studies for facility-specific carbon capture projects across major industrial sectors. Design and engineering of industrial-scale carbon capture and transportation technologies. Feasibility studies for CCUS (carbon capture, utilization, and sequestration) integration at large emitter sites. Evaluation of onsite carbon capture, direct air capture, direct carbon conversion, or strategic CO2 transportation infrastructure for industrial facilities.