ERA — Advanced Materials Challenge
AB, Canada
Advanced Materials Challenge funds low-emissions, circular economy projects
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|fromMinToMax
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- grant_single|timelineUnspecified
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Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
- Manufacturing
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration
grant_single|grantors
- Emissions Reduction Alberta (ERA)
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grant_card_status|open
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The Advanced Materials Challenge offers up to $40 million for projects focused on shaping the circular economy and creating low emissions products, targeting areas such as concrete, plastics, and carbon materials. Eligible activities include scale-up, pilot demonstration, and first-of-kind commercial implementations in Alberta.
grant_single_labels|terms_and_conditions
This grant provides a structured financing framework aimed at supporting sustainable development within Alberta's materials sector. The financing modalities are designed to ensure that the projects align with the economic and environmental objectives outlined.
- Applicants can receive up to a maximum of $5 million per project.
- Minimum funding request must be at least $250,000.
- The grant will not exceed 50% of the total eligible project expenses.
grant_single_labels|projects
The ERA Advanced Materials Challenge fund supports projects that aim to innovate materials technologies with a focus on reducing emissions and enhancing circular economies. Projects eligible focus on novel applications in various industries and the development of low-emission products.
- Development of novel carbon materials including advanced carbon nanotubes and carbon fibres for diverse applications.
- Production of non-combustion products derived from bitumen or hydrocarbons.
- Innovations in circular and low-emission plastic technologies.
- Novel recycling processes focusing on compostable or biodegradable bioplastics such as PHA and PLA.
- Creation of materials that assist in carbon capture and sequestration, including next-generation solvents and biological processes.
- Conversion of carbon dioxide or other GHGs into products that sequester CO2 permanently.
- Processing and production of critical minerals such as lithium and vanadium.
- Enhancements in material performance and embodied carbon reduction in various construction materials.
- Emission reduction solutions for industrial processes through advanced membranes, filters, and coatings.
- Technologies in waste-to-value conversion and recycling for industrial and municipal waste streams.
- Development of biomaterials and bioproducts, including green building products and base chemicals.
grant_single_labels|admissibility
Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific requirements that focus on the profile of the applicant and the location and nature of the proposed project.
- The technology solutions must be piloted, demonstrated, or deployed in Alberta, Canada.
- Applicants can originate from anywhere globally but must demonstrate a clear value proposition for Alberta.
- The applicant types include innovators, technology developers, commercial and industrial building owners, municipalities, Indigenous communities, associations, SMEs, universities, not-for-profits, and others.
- Projects must align with the purpose of shaping the circular economy and creating low emissions products.
- The minimum funding request must be $250,000, and ERA's contribution will not exceed 50% of the project's eligible expenses.
- Applicants are encouraged to form partnerships with Alberta's post-secondary and research institutions, Indigenous communities, co-operative organizations, and municipalities.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
Innovators, technology developers, commercial and industrial building owners, municipalities, Indigenous communities, associations, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), research and development organizations, universities, not-for-profit organizations, and others are invited to apply. While technology solutions can originate from anywhere globally, they must be piloted, demonstrated, or deployed in Alberta. Applicants are not required to be in Alberta, but all applicants must demonstrate a clear value proposition for the province.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
This grant does not specify any explicit exclusions for companies or industries that cannot apply. However, it emphasizes that proposed projects must align with the goal of supporting transformative opportunities compatible with decarbonization strategies.
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
This grant supports projects geared towards advancing the circular economy and reducing emissions through innovative materials technologies. Eligible activities include the development, scaling, and demonstration of new technologies that enhance resource efficiency and lower carbon footprints across various material sectors.
- Production of non-combustion products from bitumen or other hydrocarbons.
- Development of circular plastics technologies and advanced recycling processes.
- Creation of compostable or biodegradable bioplastic materials.
- Utilization of carbon dioxide or other GHGs in the creation of valuable and permanently sequestered products.
- Increase in materials performance and reduction of embodied carbon in construction materials.
- Development of novel chemical processes and catalysts to enhance industrial efficiency.
- Advancements in waste-to-value solutions for various industrial and municipal waste streams.
- Exploration and production of critical minerals like lithium and vanadium.
- Development of biomaterials and green building products.
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
This grant requires that technology solutions be piloted, demonstrated, or deployed in Alberta, Canada. Applicants can be from anywhere globally, but they must demonstrate a clear value proposition for the province of Alberta.
- Projects must be piloted, demonstrated, or deployed in Alberta, Canada.
grant_single_labels|criteria
The evaluation and selection of projects for this grant are based on specific criteria to ensure that they meet the strategic objectives of the initiative.
- Compatibility with decarbonization strategies and potential to achieve substantial emissions reductions.
- Demonstration of a clear value proposition for Alberta and its manufacturing and resource sectors.
- Potential to increase the competitiveness of Alberta’s industries and grow new provincial industries with export potential.
- Readiness for field pilot, demonstration, or first-of-kind commercial implementation by project completion.
- Alignment with focus areas that support the circular economy and low-emissions product development.
- Innovative and transformative nature of the proposed technology or solution.
grant_single_labels|register
Here are the steps to submit an application for this grant:
- Step 1: Register for Webinar
- Participate in the informational webinar on November 27 from 1-2 p.m. MST (UTC-7h) to gain comprehensive insights into the application process and guidelines.
- Access the relevant links provided to further understand the application requirements.
- Step 2: Review Guidelines and Templates
- Carefully review the "Call for Expressions of Interest Guidelines".
- Understand the "Eligible Expense and Cost Instructions" to ensure all costs are compliant.
- Familiarize yourself with the "Privacy, Confidentiality, Data, and Security Policy".
- Download and use the "Expression of Interest Template" for your application.
- Step 3: Determine Eligibility and Partnerships
- Ensure your project and organization fall under the eligibility criteria outlined.
- Consider forming partnerships with Alberta’s post-secondary institutions, Indigenous communities, and local businesses to strengthen your application.
- Step 4: Prepare Expression of Interest (EOI)
- Draft the EOI focusing on compatibility with the circular economy and low emissions objectives.
- Highlight how your project aligns with the focus areas, and its potential for emissions reduction.
- Step 5: Submit Expression of Interest
- Prepare all necessary documentation using the provided template.
- Submit the EOI by the deadline at 5 p.m. MST on January 22, 2025, ensuring it meets all submission requirements.
- Step 6: Await Response
- Wait for confirmation of submission and any follow-up communication from ERA.
- Prepare for possible requests for additional information or interviews during the review process.
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
Additional relevant details for this grant call are highlighted below:
- A consortium approach is encouraged, promoting collaborations among different organizations to leverage resources and expertise.
- There must be a clear alignment with decarbonization strategies, focusing on tangible emissions reductions.
- ERA collaborates with Alberta Innovates for broader technological support, indicating a potential for access to additional resources.
- The maximum grant contribution is capped at 50% of the total eligible project expenses, necessitating co-financing from other sources.
- ERA requires measurable outcomes that convey a significant impact on emissions reduction and innovation in material technologies.
- Open dialogue about participating in webinars and adhering to guidelines indicates that additional preparatory resources are openly accessible.
Apply to this program
Empowering Innovative Solutions for a Circular Economy
The Advanced Materials Challenge presents a remarkable opportunity for organizations in Alberta and beyond to scale up innovative projects that contribute to the circular economy and foster low-emission product solutions. With a funding pool of up to $40 million, this initiative invites a variety of stakeholders to significantly advance Alberta's industries through creative and sustainable technological applications.
Exploring the Potential of the Advanced Materials Challenge
The Advanced Materials Challenge, funded by the Government of Alberta through the Technology Innovation and Emissions Reduction (TIER) fund, is poised to transform the landscape of Alberta's industrial sector by supporting projects that enhance the circular economy and reduce emissions in material supply chains. This initiative stands out by not restricting technological and material approaches, encouraging a broad spectrum of innovations that align with its objectives.
Key technology focus areas highlight the Challenge's innovative spirit, inviting solutions in carbon materials, advanced nanotechnology, novel circular plastic processes, critical minerals processing, and more. Projects could range from pioneering graphene applications in energy storage to revolutionary methods for capturing and converting CO2 into sustainable products. This flexibility is designed to stimulate a wide array of proposals that can be tailored to various industrial applications, enhancing both Alberta's competitiveness and its environmental commitments.
The funding framework is strategically structured to support substantial industry advancement with up to $5 million available per project, provided that the request does not exceed 50% of the project's eligible expense. This ensures a rigorous commitment from the applicants, necessitating other financial or resource support to sustain their project ambitions. This funding model is aimed at encouraging leveraging of additional investments and partnerships, which are crucial for comprehensive and sustainable project development.
Applicants are encouraged to form consortiums, which not only attract highly skilled talent but also boost innovation capabilities in Alberta. By collaborating with local post-secondary and research institutions, municipalities, and Indigenous communities, applicants can access diverse expertise and resources, further embedding their projects within the fabric of Alberta's socio-economic ecosystem.
The competitive selection process, managed by a team of experts across scientific, engineering, and business domains, ensures that only the most promising projects are funded, maintaining transparency and fairness. Projects must align with the goal of emissions reductions, representing transformative pathways towards a carbon-neutral Alberta. This alignment significantly contributes to the global effort to combat climate change, reinforcing Alberta's position as a leader in sustainable industry practices.
Organizations eligible for this funding vary widely, encompassing technology developers, research institutions, municipalities, and more, encouraging a diverse pool of innovative solutions tailored to specific needs within the circular economy framework. By the project culmination, solutions must reach at least a pilot or demonstration stage, showcasing tangible development and feasibility.
This funding initiative not only offers financial aid but also serves as a catalyst for innovation, compelling industries to rethink traditional practices and embrace future-ready technologies. Participating entities benefit not only from financial support but also gain strategic positioning within Alberta's evolving economic landscape, highlighting their role in achieving sustainable development goals.
Overall, the Advanced Materials Challenge invites stakeholders to partake in a transformation journey, crafting innovative paths towards a future where circular economy and sustainability are at the core of industrial growth. Through this endeavor, Alberta positions itself to harness emerging opportunities and tackle environmental challenges head-on, contributing significantly to both provincial and global sustainability initiatives.
