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ERA — Advanced Materials Challenge
Funding for advanced materials and low-emissions innovation
Last Update: June 8, 2026
Funding available
$ 250,000 - $ 5,000,000
Timeline
- Closing date : January 22, 2025
Location
Alberta, Canada
Overview
This program provides up to CAD 5 million per project for advanced materials initiatives. It supports scale-up, pilot demonstration, and first-of-kind projects that advance circular economy solutions and low-emissions products.
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Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
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
Timeline
- Closing date : January 22, 2025
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
- Utilities
- Construction
- Manufacturing
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services
- Educational services
- Public administration
Location
- Alberta
Legal structures
- Non-profit
- Public or Parapublic institution
- Non-financial cooperative
- Social economy enterprise
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
- Canadians
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 document
- Online application information in Grant Manager
- Letters of support, if available
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Innovators and technology developers
- SMEs and industrial facility owners/operators
- Universities and research organizations
- Municipalities and Indigenous communities
- Not-for-profit organizations and associations
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
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?
This program provides up to CAD 5 million per project for advanced materials initiatives. It supports scale-up, pilot demonstration, and first-of-kind projects that advance circular economy solutions and low-emissions products.
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:
Materials-related project
Demonstrated in Alberta
Shows GHG reduction potential
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