Closed
Source verified July 8, 2026
Climate Innovation Grant Program
Urban climate mitigation support
Funding available
$ 100,000
Deadline
February 20, 2026
Location
Calgary, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Overview
Climate Innovation Grant Program Guidelines support nonprofits, Qualified Canadian Donees, the Cities of Edmonton and Calgary, and partnered for-profit and private sector entities. In 2026, $500,000 is available in each city for climate mitigation projects. Eligible work includes technology demonstration, collective impact, and policy advancement, plus reasonable project costs directly tied to the initiative.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase performance through digital transformation
- Increase social or community impact
- Develop strategic partnerships
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 100,000 $
- Up to 20% of project cost
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Calgary, Edmonton
- Alberta
Legal structures
- Non-profit
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- All groups
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Environment
Target groups
- All the groups
Revenue structures
- 100% donations / grants
Scope
- All dimensions
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Technology demonstration, collective impact, and policy advancement initiatives.
- Projects that address systemic, regulatory, or policy barriers to the deployment of low-carbon products, technologies, or processes.
- Projects that increase capacity or advance efforts to build and retrofit buildings on a pathway to emission-neutral standards.
- Projects that encourage active mobility or accelerate publicly accessible charging infrastructure for zero-emissions vehicles, low- to middle-income households, or underserved sectors.
- Projects that enable electrification, alternative low-emissions fuels, or carbon removal and sequestration in urban centers.
Documents Needed
- Expression of Interest form
- Full application
- Project narrative
- Budget and work plan
- Supporting documents confirming matching funding
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Qualified Canadian Donees
- Nonprofit organizations
- The Cities of Edmonton and Calgary
- For-profit and private sector entities, if they partner with a charitable and/or nonprofit organization that acts as the lead proponent for the project.
Who is not eligible
- Private sector or for-profit organizations, unless partnered with an eligible organization.
- Individuals
- Individual schools or classroom-based programs operating in the K-12 school system
- Political parties
Eligible expenses
- Reasonable costs directly related to the project.
- Salaries, contractor wages, travel and accommodations.
- Existing programs that address the Grant Focus Areas.
- Capacity building and knowledge transfer tools, including publications and website development.
- Capital items, supplies and materials, a portion of rent and telephone costs, and project-specific training.
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Costs that are not directly related to the Eligible Project, subject to reasonable limits on pro-rated Administrative Expenses.
- Non-auditable expenses.
- Costs incurred before receipt of an application for Grant Funds.
- Recoverable taxes, interest charges, or financing fees.
- General business development costs, fundraising costs, and costs related to lobbying activities undertaken to obtain a contract, grant, contribution, or other financial benefit from the federal or provincial government.
Selection criteria
- GHG Emissions Reduction Potential
- Scale Potential
- Community Benefits
- Social Equity and Indigenous Leadership
- Organizational Capacity
How to apply
- Meet with AEF staff to discuss your project before submitting an Expression of Interest.
- Submit the Expression of Interest through Alberta Ecotrust’s grant portal during the January 12, 2026, 8:00 am MST to February 20, 2026, 6:00 pm MST window.
- If shortlisted, submit a Full Application during March 30-April 24.
Processing and Agreement
- EOIs that meet eligibility criteria are evaluated by Alberta Ecotrust staff using the Application Scorecard.
- Shortlisted applicants are invited to submit a Full Application and receive feedback and further direction from the EOI review.
- Alberta Ecotrust staff apply a national methodology to determine potential emissions reductions at the Full Application stage.
- An interview may be required for the Full Application stage, and staff may assist with technical and financial due diligence as required.
- The Grant Review Committee makes the final decision on Full Applications; successful applicants must sign Contribution Agreements within three months of notification, and unsuccessful applicants can request feedback from Alberta Ecotrust staff.
Additional information
- Organizations may submit more than one project at the Expression of Interest stage, but only one Full Application will be accepted per City per grant round.
- Projects may still be considered even if they do not fit the listed Challenge Statements, provided they meet eligibility criteria and score well.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Climate Innovation Grant Program Program
What is the Climate Innovation Grant Program?
Climate Innovation Grant Program Guidelines support nonprofits, Qualified Canadian Donees, the Cities of Edmonton and Calgary, and partnered for-profit and private sector entities. In 2026, $500,000 is available in each city for climate mitigation projects. Eligible work includes technology demonstration, collective impact, and policy advancement, plus reasonable project costs directly tied to the initiative.
How much funding can be received?
Climate Innovation Grant Program Funds up to 20% of admissible expenses, capped at $100,000 per project.
Who is eligible for the Climate Innovation Grant Program program?
To be eligible for the Climate Innovation Grant Program program, you must:
Activities and benefits must occur in Calgary and/or Edmonton.
The project must align with the respective city’s climate plan and/or the goal of achieving carbon neutrality.
The project must leverage or match funding from other sources and end no more than 24 months after the start date.
What expenses are eligible under Climate Innovation Grant Program?
Technology demonstration, collective impact, and policy advancement initiatives.
Projects that address systemic, regulatory, or policy barriers to the deployment of low-carbon products, technologies, or processes.
Projects that increase capacity or advance efforts to build and retrofit buildings on a pathway to emission-neutral standards.
Projects that encourage active mobility or accelerate publicly accessible charging infrastructure for zero-emissions vehicles, low- to middle-income households, or underserved sectors.
Projects that enable electrification, alternative low-emissions fuels, or carbon removal and sequestration in urban centers.
Who can I contact for more information about the Climate Innovation Grant Program?
You can contact Alberta Ecotrust Foundation by email at grants@albertaecotrust.com.
Where is the Climate Innovation Grant Program available?
The Climate Innovation Grant Program program is available the province of Alberta.
Is the Climate Innovation Grant Program a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Climate Innovation Grant Program is a Grant and Funding