How much funding can be received?

Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses, capped at $15000000 per project.

What is the deadline to apply?

The deadline to apply is not specified.

Who are the financial supporters of the ERA — 2025 Industrial Transformation Challenge?

ERA — 2025 Industrial Transformation Challenge is funded by Emissions Reduction Alberta (ERA)

What are ERA — 2025 Industrial Transformation Challenge's eligibility criterias?

Applicants must be innovators, technology developers, industrial facility owners/operators, industrial associations, or SMEs. Project must be piloted, demonstrated, or deployed in Alberta or show direct economic benefit to Alberta. Project must demonstrate a pathway to emissions reduction or significant environmental benefit within Alberta's industrial or natural resource sectors.

ERA — 2025 Industrial Transformation Challenge

Last Update: April 22, 2025

AB, Canada

Funding innovative technologies for Alberta's industrial transformation

ERA — 2025 Industrial Transformation Challenge at a glance

Eligible Funding

From $500,000 to $15,000,000
Up to 50% of project cost

Timeline

Continuous Intakes

Financing Type

Grant and Funding

Eligible Industries

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
Utilities
Manufacturing
Professional, scientific and technical services
Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services
Educational services

Grant Providers

Emissions Reduction Alberta (ERA)

Status

Open

Overview of the ERA — 2025 Industrial Transformation Challenge program

The ERA 2025 Industrial Transformation Challenge offers up to $65 million to support technology scale-up, pilot demonstration, and first-of-kind projects that drive economic competitiveness and environmental sustainability in Alberta’s industrial sectors. Eligible activities include field testing, demonstration, and commercial deployment of innovative solutions for emissions reduction and broader environmental benefits.

Financing terms and conditions

Financial assistance of up to $10 million per project.
Exceptionally strong projects with a high funding leverage ratio may receive up to $15 million.
Minimum funding request is $500,000 per project.
The maximum contribution from ERA is capped at 50% of a project's eligible expenses.

Eligible projects & activities

Piloting and demonstrating new technologies that enhance environmental sustainability in Alberta's industrial and natural resource sectors.
Implementing first-of-kind projects that deliver transformative solutions for emissions reduction, water management, soil remediation, reduced land use, or air pollutant reduction.
Collaborative technology development between industry, research organizations, and other partners to scale up innovative solutions in an operational environment.
Demonstrating clean technologies with a clear path to emissions reduction in industrial or natural resource operations.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 60,000

Upgrading bakery production lines using eco-friendly Canadian equipment

$ 38,500

Launching a digital literacy training program for seniors and immigrants

$ 47,000

Refitting a local café for barrier-free access and inclusive amenities

$ 73,000

Adding new cold storage capabilities to a food distribution co-operative

$ 99,000

Launching a solar panel system on a general partnership’s new warehouse

$ 90,000

Developing a mobile mental health counselling service for youth

Eligibility criteria of the ERA — 2025 Industrial Transformation Challenge program

The applicant may be an innovator, technology developer, industrial facility owner or operator, industrial association, small or medium-sized enterprise (SME), research and development organization, university, not-for-profit organization, government research lab, or an individual.
The proposed project must be piloted, demonstrated, or deployed in Alberta, or demonstrate direct economic benefit to the province.
The project must involve the scale-up, pilot demonstration, or first-of-kind commercial implementation of technology.
The project must provide environmental benefits relevant to Alberta's industrial landscape, such as emissions reduction, improved water management, soil remediation, reduced land use or disturbance, or reduction of air pollutants.
Projects must culminate in a technology demonstration in a relevant operational environment (not standalone R&D or feasibility studies).

Who is eligible?

Innovators
Technology developers
Industrial facility owners and operators
Industrial associations
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)
Research and development organizations
Universities
Not-for-profit organizations
Government research laboratories
Individuals

Eligible expenses

Scaling expenses for technologies and on-site demonstration in an operational environment.
Purchase and installation of equipment necessary for the initial deployment of innovative technologies.
Costs related to the design, construction, and operation of demonstration solutions or first commercial implementations.

Eligible geographic areas

Projects must be piloted, demonstrated, or deployed in Alberta, or show direct economic benefit to the province of Alberta.

Eligibility criteria of the ERA — 2025 Industrial Transformation Challenge program

Projects will be selected through a competitive, independent, and transparent review process conducted by experts in science, engineering, business development, commercialization, financing, and GHG quantification, overseen by a Fairness Monitor.

How to apply to the ERA — 2025 Industrial Transformation Challenge program

Step 1: Review Program DocumentationRead the Call for Expressions of Interest Guidelines and related documents provided by ERA.
Ensure your project aligns with the program objectives and technology requirements.
Step 2: Prepare an Expression of Interest (EOI)Use the Expression of Interest Template provided by ERA.
Outline the project's objectives, technology readiness, potential environmental benefits, and compatibility with emissions reduction pathways in Alberta.
Prepare a summary of project partners and consortium members, if any.
Compile information on eligible expenses and project costs.
Step 3: Submit Expression of InterestSubmit the completed EOI and supporting materials through ERA’s application platform before the deadline: Thursday, June 12, 2025, 5 p.m. MDT (UTC-6).
Ensure all required information and documentation is included in your submission, as late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.
Step 4: Shortlisting NotificationIf selected, receive a request from ERA in July 2025 to submit a Full Project Proposal (FPP).
Step 5: Submit Full Project Proposal (if shortlisted)Prepare a detailed Full Project Proposal based on guidance from ERA.
Provide additional technical, financial, and operational details as required for comprehensive review.
Submit the FPP by the deadline communicated by ERA.
Step 6: Evaluation and Board ReviewERA's team of experts will review and assess proposals based on competitiveness, innovation, and alignment with program goals.
Independent assessment overseen by a Fairness Monitor.
Step 7: Funding Approval and Project AnnouncementERA’s Board of Directors makes final funding decisions in December 2025.
Successful projects are announced in January 2026.

Additional information

Expressions of Interest (EOIs) must clearly demonstrate technology compatibility with emissions reduction pathways in Alberta.
Partnerships with post-secondary institutions, Indigenous communities, and co-operative organizations are encouraged to strengthen applications.
A free, hour-long online webinar is offered for prospective applicants prior to the submission deadline.
Submissions are assessed by independent experts and overseen by a Fairness Monitor.