Emerging Innovators Challenge
AB, Canada
Money for GHG emissions reduction technologies in Alberta
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|fromMinToMax
- grant_single|projectCostPercent
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|closingDateDecember 14, 2023
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
- Construction
- Manufacturing
- Transportation and warehousing
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services
grant_single|grantors
- Emissions Reduction Alberta (ERA)
- Government of Alberta
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|projects
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$500,000
Edmonton
Scale-up project to install wind turbines for sustainable energy production
$700,000
Red Deer
First-of-kind project to develop a green hydrogen production facility
$400,000
Calgary
Pilot project to develop a solar-powered electric vehicle charging station
$300,000
Lethbridge
Pilot project to retrofit residential buildings for energy efficiency
$400,000
Grande Prairie
Scale-up project to implement energy-efficient street lighting
$900,000
Medicine Hat
Demonstration project for a waste-to-energy plant
grant_single_labels|admissibility
Below are the eligibility criteria for this grant:
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with fewer than 500 employees, Indigenous communities, and/or organizations are eligible applicants.
- Large corporations, government labs, municipalities, post-secondary/research organizations, and commercialization accelerators/incubators are not eligible.
- Lead applicants must be based in Alberta.
- All projects must demonstrate a clear value proposition for reducing GHG emissions in Alberta or enabling a sustainable net-zero economy.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with fewer than 500 employees, Indigenous communities, and organizations are eligible to apply for this grant. Partnerships with large corporations, government labs, municipalities, post-secondary/research organizations, and commercial accelerators/incubators are allowed but not as lead applicants.
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) employing less than 500 people
- Indigenous communities and/or organizations
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
Some types of companies are not eligible for this grant:
- Large corporations
- Government labs
- Municipalities
- Post-secondary/research organizations
- Commercialization accelerators/incubators
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
Eligible expenses for this grant include project costs directly related to scale-up, pilot, demonstration, and first-of-kind projects. Expenses may include but are not limited to materials, equipment, labor, and other project-related expenses.
- Materials
- Equipment
- Labor costs
- Project-related expenses
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
Large corporations, government labs, municipalities, post-secondary/research organizations, and commercialization accelerators/incubators are not eligible applicants but may be partners in projects.
- Large corporations
- Government labs
- Municipalities
- Post-secondary/research organizations
- Commercialization accelerators/incubators
grant_single_labels|criteria
The grant has evaluation and selection criteria. The process involves a competitive review overseen by a Fairness Monitor. Criteria include expertise in science, engineering, business development, commercialization, financing, and GHG quantification.
- Competitive review process overseen by Fairness Monitor
- Expertise in science, engineering, business development, commercialization, financing, and GHG quantification
grant_single_labels|register
- Step 1: Download the Call for Expressions of Interest Guidelines and review them thoroughly to understand the eligibility criteria and requirements.
- Step 2: Fill out the Expressions of Interest Template with detailed information about your project, including the value proposition for reducing GHG emissions in Alberta or enabling a net-zero economy.
- Step 3: Submit your completed application by the deadline of Thursday, December 14, 2023, at 5 p.m. Mountain Time.
Apply to this program
Grant Summary
This is a $40 million grant initiative called the Emerging Innovators Challenge aimed at supporting small and medium-sized enterprises in Alberta to advance transformative technologies towards commercialization. The funding is sourced from the Government of Alberta's Technology Innovation and Emissions Reduction (TIER) fund.
Details of the Emerging Innovators Challenge Grant
The Emerging Innovators Challenge is a significant funding opportunity provided by Emissions Reduction Alberta (ERA) to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Alberta. With a total funding pool of $40 million, this grant aims to de-risk projects, reduce time-to-market for innovative technologies, and drive sustainable economic growth in the province.
Eligibility Requirements
The grant is open to SMEs with fewer than 500 employees, Indigenous communities or organizations, and organizations based in Alberta. Large corporations, government labs, and post-secondary institutions are not eligible as lead applicants but can participate as project partners.
Focus Areas
The grant is technology-agnostic but emphasizes under-represented areas in ERA's portfolio. Projects in digital solutions, energy management, waste reduction, advanced materials, low-emission buildings, and more are encouraged to apply, with a focus on GHG reduction and sustainable practices.
Funding Stages
Projects in the field piloting, commercial demonstration, or first-of-kind commercial implementation stages are eligible for funding. Applicants must demonstrate the readiness of their technology for field testing, scaling up, or full commercial deployment.
Project Location and Approval Process
While technology solutions can originate globally, projects supported by the grant must be piloted or deployed in Alberta. The approval process involves a competitive review by experts from various fields to ensure project viability, innovation, and GHG reduction potential.
Knowledge Sharing and Reporting
All grant recipients are required to produce a final outcomes report, sharing project results and lessons learned for the broader benefit of Alberta. Reporting on GHG reductions, job creation, and environmental, economic, and social benefits is mandatory.
About ERA and TIER
Emissions Reduction Alberta (ERA) is a key player in accelerating clean technology solutions with a track record of funding innovative projects. The grant is sourced from the Technology Innovation and Emissions Reduction (TIER) fund, which implements Alberta's industrial carbon pricing and emissions trading system.
