Alberta Innovation Employment Grant (IEG)

Q: How much funding can be received?

Alberta Innovation Employment Grant (IEG) Funds up to 20% of admissible expenses, capped at $4000000 per project.

Q: What is the deadline to apply?

The deadline to apply is not specified.

Q: Is the Alberta Innovation Employment Grant (IEG) a grant, loan, or tax credit?

Alberta Innovation Employment Grant (IEG) is a Tax Credits

Q: Who are the financial supporters of the Alberta Innovation Employment Grant (IEG)?

Alberta Innovation Employment Grant (IEG) is funded by Government of Alberta, Ministry of Treasury Board and Finance (AB)

Q: Who is eligible for the Alberta Innovation Employment Grant (IEG) program?

To be eligible for the Alberta Innovation Employment Grant (IEG) program, you must: • The corporation must undertake research and development (R&D) in Alberta. • The firm must have taxable capital below $50 million. • Eligible expenditures must be incurred in Alberta after December 31, 2020, and align with federal SR&ED program criteria.

Q: Who can I contact for more information about the Alberta Innovation Employment Grant (IEG)?

You can contact Government of Alberta.

Q: Where is the Alberta Innovation Employment Grant (IEG) available?

The Alberta Innovation Employment Grant (IEG) program is available the province of AB.

Q: Are startups eligible for the Alberta Innovation Employment Grant (IEG) program?

Yes, startups are eligible to apply for the Alberta Innovation Employment Grant (IEG) program.

Last Update: July 22, 2025

AB, Canada

SR&ED tax credit for SMEs in Alberta

At a glance

Eligible Funding

Max. $4,000,000
Up to 20% of project cost

Timeline

Open Date : January 1, 2021

Financing Type

Tax Credits

Eligible Industries

All industries

Funds Providers

Unspecified

Program status

Open

Overview

If your business has less than $50 million in taxable capital, you can get a refundable tax credit of up to 20% of your research and development expenses incurred after December 31, 2020.

Financing terms and conditions

The Innovation Employment Grant offers a structured approach to funding R&D expenditures through the Alberta corporate tax system. It provides financial support that adapts to the amount of eligible R&D investment by the corporation.

8% payment for eligible R&D spending that matches up to the corporation’s base level of spending.
Enhanced 20% payment for eligible R&D spending that exceeds the corporation's base spending level.
Financial benefits apply to up to $4 million in annual R&D spending.
Grant amounts are calculated based on the corporation's average qualifying R&D spending over the previous two years.

Activities funded

This grant supports small and medium-sized businesses in Alberta that engage in research and development activities. Eligible projects aim to advance innovation and enhance industrial development through R&D efforts.

Research and development activities undertaken by corporations in any industry.
R&D initiatives that align with expenditures qualifying for the federal Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) Tax Incentive Program.
Projects increasing R&D spending above the corporation’s established base level of R&D expenditure from the previous two years.
Innovative projects involving substantial R&D spending up to $4 million annually.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 80,000

Developing a new AI-powered financial analysis tool for banks

$ 40,000

Developing a mobile app to improve mental health services

$ 50,000

Developing a sustainable agriculture system using vertical farming methods

$ 45,000

Creating a sustainable packaging solution using biodegradable materials

$ 40,000

Innovating a new line of eco-friendly household cleaning products

$ 60,000

Researching renewable energy solutions with photovoltaic cells

Eligibility

Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific requirements related to the corporation's activities and financial status.

The applicant must be a corporation undertaking R&D activities in Alberta.
The corporation should have incurred eligible expenditures in Alberta after December 31, 2020.
Eligible expenditures must match those that qualify for the federal Scientific Research and Experimental Development Tax Incentive Program.
The grant phases out for firms with $10 million to $50 million in taxable capital.
Firms with $50 million or more in taxable capital are not eligible for the grant.

Who is eligible?

The grant is available to corporations undertaking R&D in Alberta. It specifically targets small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by phasing out incrementally for firms that have taxable capital between $10 million and $50 million. Firms with $50 million or more in taxable capital are not eligible, ensuring the focus remains on SMEs.

Who is not eligible

This grant does not specify any industry exclusions; however, there are financial eligibility criteria that companies must meet. Restrictions focus on ensuring the support targets small and medium-sized enterprises based on capital limits.

Firms with $50 million or more in taxable capital are not eligible for the grant, as the grant phases out incrementally for firms with taxable capital between $10 million and $50 million.

Eligible expenses

Eligible projects and activities under the Innovation Employment Grant focus on research and development endeavors within Alberta. These initiatives aim to advance technological capabilities and innovation across different sectors.

Research and development projects that align with the federal Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) Tax Incentive Program.
Innovative projects exceeding previous average R&D spending levels.
Technology development and enhancement efforts that are conducted within Alberta.

Eligible geographic areas

This grant is available to companies that undertake research and development (R&D) specifically in Alberta, Canada. The focus is on driving economic growth within this provincial jurisdiction.

Companies operating and conducting R&D within the province of Alberta.

Selection criteria

There are evaluation and selection criteria for the Innovation Employment Grant.

Corporations must undertake R&D in Alberta
Base level of spending determined by average qualifying R&D spending over previous 2 years
Grant phases out for firms with taxable capital between $10 million and $50 million
Eligible expenditures must match those qualifying for the federal SR&ED program

How to apply

Verify Eligibility Ensure your corporation conducts R&D activities in Alberta.

Confirm that your corporation's taxable capital is below $50 million.
Verify that your expenditures qualify under the federal SR&ED program.

Collect Documentation Compile records of all R&D expenditures incurred in Alberta after December 31, 2020.

Calculate your corporation’s base level of R&D spending from the past two years for comparison.

Prepare the AT1 Tax Return Complete the Alberta Corporate Income Tax Return (AT1) for the applicable taxation year.

Ensure all corporate income tax calculations are up to date and accurate.

Complete Schedule 29 Fill out Schedule 29, which is specific to the Innovation Employment Grant.

Detail all qualifying R&D expenditures for the grant calculation.

Submit Tax Return File the completed AT1 return along with Schedule 29 to the Tax and Revenue Administration of Alberta.

Ensure submission occurs by the tax filing deadline to avoid any delays.

Wait for Confirmation Await verification of expenses and grant approval from the Canada Revenue Agency.

Receive confirmation once the grant has been processed.

Additional information

Consider these additional details regarding the Innovation Employment Grant:

The grant works through the corporate tax system, allowing for integration with regular tax return processes.
The payment for grant claims will be subject to verification by the Canada Revenue Agency, ensuring expenditures align with qualifying criteria.
Supporting documentation is critical; applicants must refer to the Guide to Claiming the Alberta Innovation Employment Grant for accurate preparation.
The grant complements other economic incentives like the Job Creation Tax Cut, benefiting firms at different stages of their business cycles.

Apply to this program

Frequently Asked Questions about the Alberta Innovation Employment Grant (IEG) Program

Here are answers to the most common questions about the Alberta Innovation Employment Grant (IEG). 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.