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Source verified August 11, 2026
ERA — Advanced Materials Challenge
Advances low-emission materials commercialization in Alberta
Latest source updateLast Update: August 11, 2026Latest change: ERA’s Cost Guidelines PDF was updated with clearer expense categories, new ineligible items, and more explicit overhead treatment.View change
Latest source update
Last Update: August 11, 2026
Latest change: ERA’s Cost Guidelines PDF was updated with clearer expense categories, new ineligible items, and more explicit overhead treatment.
ERA cost guidelines updated
The Cost Guidelines PDF now presents the eligible and ineligible expense table more clearly and adds or surfaces items such as first-class airfare, tips and gratuities over 20%, fines, and land purchase or leasing costs. The overhead section is also more explicit, including the 15% cap on overhead expenses and clearer language on allocating office space, IT, administration salaries, insurance, and utilities directly related to project activities.
Funding available
$ 250,000 - $ 5,000,000
Deadline
January 22, 2025
Location
Alberta, Canada
Overview
Advanced Materials Challenge by Emissions Reduction Alberta invests up to $5 million per project in Alberta for innovators, small and medium-sized enterprises, municipalities, universities, Indigenous communities, and other applicants. It supports materials-focused technologies that advance the circular economy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions through scale-up, pilot demonstration, and first-of-kind implementation.
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At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Increase production or service capacity
- Implement environmental initiatives
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 5,000,000 $
- Minimum amount : 250,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Alberta
Legal structures
- For-profit business
- Public or Parapublic institution
- Non-profit
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Research
- Environment
- Economic, Social and Community Development
- Business Associations
- Not Elsewhere Classified
Target groups
- Indigenous peoples
- Rural / Remote communities
- Business owners / entrepreneurs
- Nonprofits / charities
- Academia / students
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- Provincial
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Scale-up of advanced materials technologies
- Pilot testing and commercial demonstration
- First-of-kind commercial implementation
- Development of low-emissions materials and circular economy solutions
Documents Needed
- Expression of Interest (EOI)
- Expression of Interest (EOI) template
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Innovators and technology developers
- Indigenous communities
- Industrial facility owners/operators
- Industrial associations, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), research and development (R&D) organizations, universities, municipalities, not-for-profit organizations, government research labs, and individuals
Eligible expenses
- Labour, employee benefits, and contractor fees directly tied to the project
- Equipment, capital assets, materials, supplies, and consumables
- Travel, conference participation, and workshop-related expenses
- Overhead directly related to project activities, up to the allowed limit
- Third-party GHG verification and required project reporting
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Business-as-usual recycling or waste management
- Production of plastic feedstocks without an end-user
- Biochar production without an end-user
- Projects mainly focused on biofuels or other fuels
- Standalone pre-construction studies
Eligible geographic areas
- Alberta
Selection criteria
- Innovation opportunity: 20%
- Implementation plan: 20%
- GHG benefits: 30%
- Non-GHG benefits: 15%
- Market and value proposition: 15%
How to apply
- Complete an Expression of Interest (EOI).
- Create an account and start a submission on ERA’s application portal to download the EOI template.
- Submit all submissions through the ERIMS; no submissions will be accepted via other means.
Processing and Agreement
- EOIs are reviewed through a competitive assessment process.
- Selected applicants are invited to submit a Full Project Proposal.
- Final funding decisions are made by ERA’s Board of Directors.
- Successful applicants must sign a contribution agreement before funding is issued.
- Unsuccessful applicants may receive a debrief call.
Additional information
- Partnerships and consortiums are encouraged.
- Applicants may be invited to a Full Project Proposal stage after EOI review.
- A final outcomes report will be required and shared publicly.
- Applicants may request ERA to share proposals with trusted funding partners.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the ERA — Advanced Materials Challenge Program
What is the ERA — Advanced Materials Challenge?
Advanced Materials Challenge by Emissions Reduction Alberta invests up to $5 million per project in Alberta for innovators, small and medium-sized enterprises, municipalities, universities, Indigenous communities, and other applicants. It supports materials-focused technologies that advance the circular economy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions through scale-up, pilot demonstration, and first-of-kind implementation.
How much funding can be received?
ERA — Advanced Materials Challenge Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses, capped at $5,000,000 per project.
Who is eligible for the ERA — Advanced Materials Challenge program?
To be eligible for the ERA — Advanced Materials Challenge program, you must:
Advanced materials project
Demonstrated or implemented in Alberta
New development beyond business as usual
What expenses are eligible under ERA — Advanced Materials Challenge?
Scale-up of advanced materials technologies
Pilot testing and commercial demonstration
First-of-kind commercial implementation
Development of low-emissions materials and circular economy solutions
Who can I contact for more information about the ERA — Advanced Materials Challenge?
You can contact Emissions Reduction Alberta (ERA) by email at applications@eralberta.ca or by phone at 780-417-1920.
Where is the ERA — Advanced Materials Challenge available?
The ERA — Advanced Materials Challenge program is available the province of Alberta.
Is the ERA — Advanced Materials Challenge a grant, loan, or tax credit?
ERA — Advanced Materials Challenge is a Grant and Funding