ERA — Advanced Materials Challenge
Baku, AB, Canada
Advanced Materials Challenge funds low-emissions, circular economy projects
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grant_single|eligibleFinancing
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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|projects
The Advanced Materials Challenge offers funding for projects that advance the circular economy and create low-emissions products, with a focus on innovative technologies. Eligible projects include advancements in novel carbon materials, low-emissions plastics, critical minerals, and biochar integration, among other areas.
- Production of novel carbon materials, including carbon nanotubes and graphene integration.
- Creation of non-combustion products from bitumen or hydrocarbons.
- Development of circular and low-emissions plastics technologies.
- Innovative recycling and plastic re-purposing processes.
- Use of novel materials in carbon capture and sequestration applications.
- Production and processing of critical minerals like lithium and vanadium.
- Development of material performance enhancements and embodied carbon reduction solutions.
- Novel materials solutions for emissions reduction in various industries.
- Waste-to-value and recycling solutions for diverse waste streams.
- Innovations in the energy supply chain, including components for batteries and electrolysers.
- Development of biomaterials and bioproducts such as base chemicals and green building products.
grant_single_labels|admissibility
To be eligible for this grant, applicants must fall into one of the following categories:
- 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
- Others as specified by the grant
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
The Advanced Materials Challenge is open to a wide range of applicants who aim to contribute to shaping the circular economy and creating low emissions products in Alberta. Eligible applicants encompass various sectors and industries as specified below:
- Innovators and 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
- Other relevant entities with applicable projects
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
The grant provides funding for eligible expenses related to advanced materials projects that contribute to a circular economy and low-emission products:
- Field pilot, demonstration, or first-of-kind project costs
- Innovative technology scaling and commercialization expenses
- Partnership engagements and local community involvement costs
- Expenses aligned with decarbonization strategies and emission reduction
- Eligible projects must demonstrate clear alignment with Alberta's economic and environmental goals
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
Companies worldwide that can pilot, demonstrate, or deploy their technology solutions in Alberta are eligible for this grant. Although applicants do not need to be based in Alberta, their proposed projects must clearly demonstrate a value proposition for the province.
- Alberta, Canada
- Worldwide, with the condition of piloting in Alberta
grant_single_labels|register
Step 1: Review Guidelines
- Read the Call for Expressions of Interest Guidelines
- Understand Eligible Expense and Cost Instructions
- Review Privacy, Confidentiality, Data, and Security Policy
- Refer to Frequently Asked Questions
Step 2: Attend Informational Webinar
- Register for the webinar held on Wednesday, November 27 from 1-2 p.m. MST (UTC-7h)
- Participate in the webinar to gain further insights
Step 3: Prepare Expression of Interest (EOI)
- Use the provided Expression of Interest Template
- Draft the EOI focusing on alignment with the grant objectives
- Highlight the project's potential impact on emissions reduction and innovation
Step 4: Submit EOI
- Ensure the EOI is complete and adheres to all guidelines
- Submit the EOI before the deadline on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, at 5 p.m. MST (UTC-7h)
- Verify submission confirmation from ERA
Apply to this program
Advanced Materials Challenge: Revolutionizing Alberta’s Circular Economy
The Advanced Materials Challenge provides up to $40 million in funding to support scale-up, pilot demonstration, and first-of-kind projects aimed at fostering a circular economy and creating low-emissions products in Alberta. Funded by the Government of Alberta through the TIER fund, this initiative seeks innovative technologies in sectors such as concrete, plastics, and carbon materials to reduce the carbon footprint of material supply chains.
Understanding the Advanced Materials Challenge and Its Impact on Alberta's Economy
The Advanced Materials Challenge is a transformative initiative introduced by the Government of Alberta, designed to drive innovation in the materials sector while significantly contributing to the circular economy and reducing emissions. With a staggering $40 million up for grabs, this call to action is directed at innovators, technology developers, and a diverse range of stakeholders who are committed to reshaping the future of material production and usage. By targeting critical sectors including concrete, plastics, carbon materials, and more, the Challenge is poised to elevate Alberta as a leader in sustainable material technologies.
The impetus behind this Challenge lies in the need to mitigate the adverse impacts of traditional material processing methods on the environment. By fostering innovations that lead to low-emission products, the Advanced Materials Challenge addresses global environmental concerns while bolstering Alberta’s economy. Projects that embody this vision can range from the creation of non-combustion products utilizing bitumen and other hydrocarbons to advanced recycling processes that enhance the circularity of plastics. This aligns with the broader strategy of decarbonizing industrial processes and supply chains, essential for a sustainable future.
A pivotal aspect of the Challenge is its emphasis on collaboration and partnerships. Recognizing that breakthroughs often arise from the synergy of diverse expertise, the call encourages potential applicants to engage with local communities, research institutions, Indigenous communities, and other stakeholders. This collaborative approach not only leverages complementary resources but also ensures that innovations resonate with the local economic landscape, subsequently increasing Alberta's innovation capacity.
The eligibility for this Challenge is broad, inviting interest from small and medium-sized enterprises, research organizations, universities, and more. While the solutions can be sourced globally, they must be piloted within Alberta, highlighting a distinct value proposition for the province. This requirement underscores the Challenge’s commitment to fostering local economic development and ensuring that Alberta reaps the maximum benefit from the funded projects.
Furthermore, the Challenge's scope is intentionally wide-ranging, encouraging creativity and innovation across various materials and technologies. Whether it’s the development of advanced carbon nanotubes, graphene applications, or novel methods for carbon capture and sequestration, the Challenge sets the stage for pioneering advancements that could redefine industries. As part of its comprehensive review process, the Emissions Reduction Alberta (ERA) will rely on a team of experts to ensure that only the most promising and impactful projects receive funding. This rigorous evaluation process is designed to guarantee that the outcomes not only contribute to emission reductions but also offer tangible economic benefits.
In terms of project development stages, the Challenge accommodates a spectrum from field testing and pilot projects to demonstration and first-of-kind commercial deployment. This flexibility is designed to nurture innovations at various levels of maturity, ensuring that both nascent and more developed technologies have the opportunity to advance and make a meaningful impact. From scaling up prototypes to full commercial operation, the support provided by the Challenge is comprehensive and strategically aligned with long-term emission reduction goals.
In conclusion, the Advanced Materials Challenge represents a significant opportunity to position Alberta at the forefront of sustainable material innovation. By catalyzing advancements in key areas and fostering collaborative efforts, this initiative not only aims to reduce carbon emissions but also seeks to propel Alberta into a new era of economic competitiveness and sustainable growth. As the deadline for submission approaches, eligible applicants are encouraged to seize this opportunity and contribute to shaping a sustainable future for Alberta and beyond.
