Emerging Innovators Challenge
grant_single|update April 5, 2025
Calgary, AB
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|closingDate December 14, 2023
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Manufacturing
- Information and cultural industries
- 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 total funding pool for the program is up to $40 million CAD.
- Eligible projects can receive a maximum of $5 million CAD from ERA.
- A minimum request for funding is set at $250,000 CAD.
- ERA funding must be matched on a minimum 1:1 basis with funding from the applicant and/or project partners.
- The maximum ERA contribution to a single project will not exceed 50% of the project’s eligible expenses.
- ERA's funding must be used for eligible project expenses incurred after the date of the Full Project Proposal (FPP) submission deadline.0.
- Disbursement of funds will occur on a milestone completion basis, contingent on eligible expenses incurred.
- No disbursements will be made prior to the execution of a Contribution Agreement with ERA.
- ERA funding can be leveraged alongside other government funds, provided ERA's contribution is matched by private or applicant funding.
- Successful applicants are required to enter into a Contribution Agreement which will outline funding terms, milestones, and reporting obligations.
- Project funding may not be used for businesses-as-usual or existing projects that have already received ERA funding.
grant_single_labels|projects
- Scale-up of prototypes to representative pilot scale and subsequent in-field testing of pilot units.
- Demonstration of near- or full-commercial-scale systems in an operational environment.
- Design, construction, and operation of first-of-kind commercial technology with the intent to operate for its full commercial life.
- Field testing, piloting, demonstrating, or first-of-kind implementation of novel technology.
- Projects involving late-stage pre-construction work as the initial stage of technology demonstration/implementation.
- Multiple site technology demonstration or implementation in Alberta.
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$ 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
$ 500,000
Scale-up project to install wind turbines for sustainable energy production
$ 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
- The lead applicant must be a small or medium-sized enterprise (SME) as defined, with fewer than 500 employees.
- Indigenous-owned enterprises and not-for-profit organizations can also apply.
- Large corporations, government labs, municipalities, post-secondary/research organizations, and commercialization accelerators/incubators are not eligible as lead applicants but may participate as partners.
- Strong preference for lead applicants based in Alberta; proposals from applicants outside Alberta must show a clear plan to establish operations within the province.
- Partnerships between multiple organizations are encouraged but not mandatory.
- Projects must be demonstrated or implemented within Alberta during the project.
- Applications must demonstrate how the project is innovative for emissions reduction in Alberta and must not be business-as-usual activities.
- Projects should include field testing, piloting, demonstration, or first-of-kind implementation of novel technology.
- The project must articulate a clear value proposition for reducing GHG emissions or enabling a transition to a net-zero economy in Alberta.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with fewer than 500 employees
- Indigenous communities and/or Indigenous-owned organizations
- Organizations based in Alberta with a strong preference
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
- Large corporations.
- Government laboratories.
- Municipalities.
- Post-secondary and research organizations.
- Commercialization accelerators and incubators.
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
- Projects must be piloted, demonstrated, or deployed in Alberta.
- Strong preference will be given to lead applicants based in Alberta.
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.
grant_single_labels|apply
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grant_single_labels|otherInfo
- The deadline for submission of Expressions of Interest (EOIs) is Thursday, December 14, 2023, at 5 p.m. Mountain Daylight Time (UTC-6h). Late submissions will not be accepted.
- An hour-long informational webinar was held on October 26, 2023, to provide details on the application process.
- Projects must commence within 120 days of ERA funding approval, planned for June 2024, unless a delayed start of up to twelve months is requested and approved.
- The maximum project length is three years from initiation, with an additional year for operational time if applicable.
- ERA’s independent, transparent review process is overseen by a Fairness Monitor, ensuring impartiality.
- Funding disbursements will be made upon the completion of milestones, based on the ratio of ERA’s funding contribution to the total project budget.
- The project must include elements of technological advancement and de-risking rather than deployment of commercially available solutions.
- No partial or incomplete submissions will be considered. All required content must be inserted and the submission finalized on the online system to be deemed complete.
- Applications and related documents must conform to specific formatting guidelines, such as font size, margin settings, and document length restrictions.
- Applicants are encouraged to contact ERA for assistance regarding guidelines, processes, and technology alignment.
grant_single_labels|contact
applications@eralberta.ca
Apply to this program
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