Closed
ERA — Advanced Materials Challenge
Funding for advanced materials and low-emissions innovation
Last Update: April 10, 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 $
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
- For-profit business
- Social economy enterprise
- Non-financial cooperative
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
Here are answers to the most common questions about the ERA — Advanced Materials Challenge. This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.
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 $5,000,000 of admissible expenses.
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