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Future Fuels Challenge

Canadian funding for low-emission fuel innovation

Offered by

Emissions Reduction Alberta (ERA)

Official source: fuelinnovationfund.ca

Source change captured June 27, 2026

Funding available: Varies by project
Deadline: Unspecified
Location: Canada
Who can apply: Regulated fuel suppliers; See full eligibility

Overview

The Future Fuels Challenge is an annual competitive funding call under the Fuel Innovation Fund, administered by ERA, for Canadian projects advancing low-emission fuel technologies and measurable greenhouse gas reductions. Eligible activities include energy efficiency, carbon capture, co-processing, and production of low-carbon-intensity fuels.

At a glance

Funding available

Varies by project

Financing goals

Increase performance through digital transformation
Develop strategic partnerships
Develop a new product or service
Conduct research and development activities
Optimize production processes
Reduce environmental footprint
Conduct research or evaluation activities

Eligible candidates

Location: Canada
Eligible Industries: All industries
Annual revenue: All revenue ranges
Organisation size: All organization sizes
Audience: Indigenous Peoples
Canadians
Legal structures: For-profit business, Non-profit, Public or Parapublic institution

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Availability timeline

2026

Periods: 3

Latest changes

June 27, 2026

Future Fuels Challenge updated

The Future Fuels Challenge now shows its 2026 timeline, application portal, funding range, cost-share terms, and a narrower project scope.

The Future Fuels Challenge now shows its active 2026 call details instead of the earlier spring-launch notice: the call launched April 22, 2026, the EOI deadline is June 10, 2026 at 5 p.m. MDT, and funding decisions are expected in December 2026. The page also adds new funding and process details: applicants may request $1 million to $10 million per project, funding covers up to 50% of eligible expenses, projects require a minimum 1:1 match, and disbursements are milestone-based after a contribution agreement is executed. The application flow now includes an EOI evaluation stage, a short-listing process, an APPLY NOW portal link, a new info email address, and posted program documents including the program guidelines and eligible expenses/cost guidelines.

Official source: fuelinnovationfund.ca

June 27, 2026

Eligibility

Who is eligible?

Regulated fuel suppliers
Industry innovators
Technology developers

Eligible expenses

Not explicitly stated in the scraped content.

Ineligible Costs and Activities

Costs associated with negotiating funding agreements with FIF or to arrange project financing
Costs to hire personnel
Costs to obtain regulatory approvals
Expenses incurred prior to eligible expense date in Contribution Agreement
Costs for the use of existing capital assets

Activities funded

Energy efficiency, optimization, electrification, fuel switching, and new processes at refineries and fuel production facilities
On-site clean electricity and heat production within the fuels sector
Reduction of upstream emissions in the fuel supply chain, including methane emissions reduction
Carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) at refineries or fuel production facilities
Co-processing of biogenic feedstocks at refineries

How to apply

Submit an Expression of Interest using ERA’s online portal.
Short-listed applicants submit a Full Project Proposal for additional due diligence.
Short-listed applicants present their proposals to the Fuel Innovation Fund’s evaluation committee.

Documents Needed

Program Guidelines
Eligible Expenses and Cost Guidelines

Selection criteria

Strength and readiness of the technology or process
Business case and market potential
Project readiness and implementation plan
Greenhouse gas emissions reductions and carbon intensity improvements
Economic, environmental, and broader benefits

Processing and Agreement

Successful applicants will enter into a Contribution Agreement outlining milestones, deliverables, and reporting obligations.
Funding is disbursed based on milestone completion, following execution of a contribution agreement.
All funded projects must enter into a Contribution Agreement with FIF and will be subject to both public and confidential reporting and data collection requirements.

Additional information

The program launched on April 22, 2026.
An informational webinar was held on May 4, 2026, 10-11 a.m. Mountain Daylight Time (UTC-6h).
Applicants are encouraged to connect with the Fuel Innovation Fund team to discuss project alignment and eligibility before applying.

Official sources

fuelinnovationfund.ca

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Frequently Asked Questions about the Future Fuels Challenge Program

What is the Future Fuels Challenge?

Who is eligible for the Future Fuels Challenge program?

To be eligible for the Future Fuels Challenge program, you must: The project must be implemented in Canada. The project must demonstrate clear benefits to the Canadian transportation fuel sector. The project must include robust measurement, monitoring, and reporting of emissions reductions.