Emerging Innovators Challenge
Calgary, AB
Money for GHG emissions reduction technologies in Alberta
grant_single|update January 24, 2025
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|fromMinToMax
- grant_single|projectCostPercent
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|closingDateDecember 14, 2023
- grant_single|grantStatusClosed
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
- Manufacturing
- Transportation and warehousing
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services
grant_single|grantors
- Government of Alberta
- Emissions Reduction Alberta (ERA)
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|closed
grant_single_labels|preview
Access funding to demonstrate a clear and justified value proposition for reducing GHG emissions or enabling the transition to a net-zero economy in Alberta.
grant_single_labels|terms_and_conditions
The Emerging Innovators Challenge provides structured financial support to assist SMEs in Alberta with developing and commercializing transformative technologies. These financing modalities are designed to both minimize financial risk and accelerate market entry.
- Funding covers up to 50% of eligible project expenses, ensuring shared risk between ERA and project participants.
- Applicants can request a funding amount ranging between a minimum of $250,000 and a maximum of $5 million per project.
- Funding disbursement is contingent on achieving specific project milestones, ensuring progress towards commercialization goals.
grant_single_labels|projects
The Emerging Innovators Challenge provides funding for projects that propel transformative clean technologies to commercialization in Alberta, focusing on environmental and economic benefits. The eligible activities span various development stages, from field pilots to first-of-kind commercial implementations.
- Field Pilot: Testing of scalable technology or innovation in an operational environment to bridge prototype scale and real-world application.
- Commercial Demonstration: Deploying near-commercial systems to validate their performance in an operational setting.
- First-of-Kind Commercial Implementation: Deployment of technology in its commercial form to demonstrate long-term operational viability.
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$ 500,000
Scale-up project to install wind turbines for sustainable energy production
$ 700,000
First-of-kind project to develop a green hydrogen production facility
$ 300,000
Pilot project to retrofit residential buildings for energy efficiency
$ 400,000
Scale-up project to implement energy-efficient street lighting
$ 900,000
Demonstration project for a waste-to-energy plant
$ 400,000
Pilot project to develop a solar-powered electric vehicle charging station
grant_single_labels|admissibility
Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific requirements related to the applicant's organizational type and project focus.
- The applicant must be a small or medium-sized enterprise with fewer than 500 employees.
- Indigenous communities and/or organizations are eligible to apply.
- Large corporations, government labs, municipalities, post-secondary/research organizations, and commercialization accelerators/incubators are not eligible as lead applicants but can be partners in projects.
- The project must demonstrate a clear value proposition for reducing GHG emissions or enabling a sustainable net-zero economy in Alberta.
- There is a strong preference for lead applicants based in Alberta.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with fewer than 500 employees are eligible to apply for the Emerging Innovators Challenge. Additionally, Indigenous communities and organizations can apply as lead applicants. While larger organizations such as government labs, municipalities, post-secondary institutions, and commercialization accelerators/incubators are not eligible to apply as lead entities, they can be partners in projects. Preference is given to projects led by Alberta-based applicants and those that clearly contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions or advancing a net-zero economy in Alberta.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
This grant excludes certain companies and industries due to their status or main activity. The restrictions aim to ensure that funds are directed toward strategic sectors aligned with the grant's objectives.
- Large corporations and government labs that do not qualify as SMEs.
- Municipalities and post-secondary/research organizations acting as lead applicants.
- Commercialization accelerators/incubators applying as primary applicants.
- Projects involving technologies within concurrent ERA funding calls such as hydrogen and zero-emission vehicle infrastructure.
- Technologies aligned with the ERA’s Energy Savings for Business Program suite of funding.
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
There are eligible expenses for this grant, which can include a variety of project-related costs:
- Direct labor costs directly attributed to the project.
- Direct material costs directly attributed to the project.
- Subcontractor and consultant costs directly related to the project.
- Allocation of participant's overhead costs related to the project.
- Travel expenditures directly related to the project execution.
- Equipment costs directly attributed to the project.
- Third-party verification and auditing costs.
- Other direct costs necessary for the project execution.
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
This grant is available primarily to small and medium-sized enterprises in Alberta, Canada. Companies from outside Alberta need to demonstrate intentions of establishing operations within the province.
- Alberta, Canada
grant_single_labels|criteria
The evaluation and selection of projects for the Emerging Innovators Challenge are based on specific criteria aimed at ensuring the effective reduction of GHG emissions and supporting the transition to a net-zero economy in Alberta.
- Alignment with the focus areas, such as digital solutions, software-based energy management, waste reduction technologies, advanced materials, novel building technologies, and precision agriculture.
- Stage of project development, emphasizing field pilots, commercial demonstrations, or first-of-kind commercial implementations.
- Clear and justified value proposition for reducing GHG emissions in Alberta.
- Potential for enabling a sustainable net-zero economy in the province.
- Preference for Alberta-based lead applicants, or a clear plan to establish permanent operations in Alberta for those based elsewhere.
- Contribution to knowledge sharing by reporting project outcomes, including GHG reductions and broader environmental and economic benefits.
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grant_single_labels|otherInfo
Here are additional relevant details for this grant:
- The maximum contribution from ERA will cover no more than 50% of the project’s eligible expenses, meaning the remaining funding must be sourced elsewhere.
- All projects must produce a final outcomes report which will be shared publicly, highlighting results such as GHG reductions, job creation, and other economic, social, and environmental benefits.
- While lead applicants based outside Alberta are not preferred, they can apply if a clear plan to establish permanent operations in Alberta is demonstrated.
- The funding sourced comes from the Government of Alberta’s TIER fund, focusing on leveraging the carbon price paid by large emitters.
- The initiative is aimed at helping SMEs de-risk projects and accelerate market time for transformative technologies.
Apply to this program
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