METHANE REDUCTION DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM

• The applicant must be a start-up or small-to-medium-sized enterprise (SME) (SME: fewer than 500 employees; start-up: fewer than 100 employees and less than CAD $25 million in annual revenues, focused on developing and scaling pre-commercial technologies).
• The project must demonstrate a near-commercial methane detection, quantification, or reduction technology (generally TRL 7–9; TRL 6 may be considered if there is a well-defined, accelerated path to commercialization).
• The project must demonstrate the technology at a site owned or operated by an NGIF Accelerator Industry Grants program industry member, and approved projects should be demonstrated in Alberta, Canada.
• The technology must generate environmental benefits, including substantial environmental performance improvements compared to the business-as-usual case when deployed commercially.
• The applicant may be based in Canada or internationally (no requirement to be incorporated in Canada or have offices in Canada), but international applicants must show how the project and commercialization plan will lead to deployment in Canada, especially in Alberta.

Who is eligible?

• Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and technology development start-ups developing near-commercial methane detection, quantification, or reduction technologies
• Cleantech organizations advancing methane emissions reduction solutions
• Oil and natural gas sector technology providers serving upstream (production), midstream (transmission), and downstream (distribution and end-use) operations
• Companies (Canadian or international) able to demonstrate their technology in Alberta at a site owned or operated by an NGIF Accelerator Industry Grants industry member
• Organizations collaborating on eligible projects as partners (including academic and research institutions such as universities, colleges, and schools)

Who is not eligible

• Organizations (or project subcontractors) based in countries sanctioned by the Government of Canada under the United Nations Act (UNA) and the Special Economic Measures Act (SEMA).
• Projects that are not at the required stage of development: TRL 5 (and lower) are not considered for this competition.

Eligible expenses

• Direct project labour costs: base salaries for employees working on the project, plus actual benefits for permanent full-time employees (up to 20% of base salary), and contractor fees (with documented rates and time worked).
• Depreciation of fixed assets used exclusively for the project during the project period (assets must be itemized in the Investment Proposal; any unidentified asset requires prior approval).
• Land leasing costs, where directly associated with the project and justified.
• Consumables used during the project (e.g., industrial gases, construction supplies, laboratory supplies), with documentation.
• Project materials and supplies needed to carry out the work (e.g., raw materials, tools, software), as budgeted/approved.
• Travel and accommodation for approved project business, including economy airfare; vehicle travel (allowances for private/company vehicles per Canada rates, compact/mid-size rental vehicles where lower cost, receipted parking, tolls); taxis when other options are unavailable/unsuitable; reasonable accommodation and meal per diems consistent with Canada rates.
• Project-related administrative/overhead costs directly related to the project (e.g., administrative salaries for project activities, office supplies, project-related IT charges, pro-rated insurance, pro-rated utilities), itemized and documented.
• Conference travel and attendance costs where the recipient is a presenter and the presentation is directly related to the project (up to $2,500; up to $5,000 for international conferences), subject to approval and documentation.
• Non-recoverable taxes paid on eligible project expenses.
• Third-party greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction verification costs (by a third party pre-approved by NGIF Accelerator).

Ineligible Costs and Activities

• Costs to prepare or develop the Expression of Interest (EOI) or the Investment Proposal (e.g., staff or consultant time).
• Sales commissions, bonuses, or other pay-for-performance compensation included in salaries.
• Land purchase costs.
• Entertainment expenses (e.g., movies, liquor).
• Intellectual property protection costs (e.g., patenting, licensing, copyrighting).

Eligible geographic areas

• Alberta, Canada (projects are expected to be demonstrated in Alberta; approved projects should be demonstrated there).
• Canada (projects must be demonstrated at a site owned or operated by an NGIF Industry Grants Program member).
• International applicants are eligible (companies from any country can apply), provided the demonstration is in Alberta, Canada.

• Project objectives and scope, including the technology’s innovation and unique value proposition compared to incumbent competing technologies. (No point score specified)
• Relevance to the oil & gas value chain, including the end-user value proposition, environmental benefits, business case (economics), and addressable market. (No point score specified)
• Project work plan quality, including a clear and appropriate plan showing how key technology development and commercialization constraints/success factors will be identified and addressed. (No point score specified)
• Demonstration of the technology pathway to commercial deployment. (No point score specified)
• Project financing and budget, and the management capability of the company and project partners (e.g., relevant technical/commercial experience and project delivery capacity). (No point score specified)

• Step 1: Access the application portal (SmartSimple)
  • Go to the NGIF Accelerator Industry Grants application portal: https://ngif.smartsimple.ca/
  • If you are new to the system, register for an account (“Register Here”).
  • If you already have an account, log in via the portal login page.
  • If you need help with registration, contact NGIF Accelerator at mrdp@ngif.ca.
• Step 2: Prepare and complete the Stage 1 application (Expression of Interest / EOI)
  • Complete the online application in the portal, ensuring the submission is clear, complete, and comprehensive (as incomplete/non-clear submissions may be rejected at NGIF Accelerator’s discretion).
  • Define the project scope, including objectives, milestones, deliverables, and timelines (as required under the funding terms).
  • Prepare the project budget and justify the amount of funding requested.
  • Ensure your application includes the project’s Technology Readiness Level (beginning and end), as requested for Stage 1 screening.
• Step 3: Submit the Stage 1 application by the deadline (Cohort I)
  • Submit the online Expression of Interest (EOI) through the SmartSimple portal.
  • For Cohort I, submit before January 31, 2026 at 7:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST).
• Step 4: Await Stage 1 notification (Stage 1 outcome)
  • Wait for NGIF Accelerator’s notification on whether your application is accepted or not accepted to progress to Stage 2 (anticipated March 2026 for Cohort I).
• Step 5: Submit the Stage 2 full proposal (invitation-only)
  • If invited, prepare and submit the Stage 2 full proposal through the application portal by the Stage 2 deadline (anticipated April 2026 for Cohort I).
  • Complete the GHG quantification template during Stage 2 (as required by the program’s process).
• Step 6: Participate in Stage 2 activities (site visits, selection)
  • Participate in site visits if you are a successful Stage 2 applicant (anticipated April 2026 for Cohort I).
  • Wait for Stage 2 finalist selection and funding decision announcements (anticipated July 2026 for Cohort I).
• Step 7: Execute the Contribution Agreement (contracting before funds release)
  • If approved for funding, proceed to the contracting phase where project scopes are refined based on due diligence outcomes.
  • Execute a fully signed Contribution Agreement before any funds are released.
  • Provide requested financial information to demonstrate that the balance of project funds is committed (examples cited include contribution agreements, financial statements, and bank statements).
• Step 8: Follow approved cost rules after funding approval (eligible costs and records)
  • Track and document eligible project expenses with invoices/receipts/records and maintain evidence of payment for audit purposes.
  • Ensure only eligible expenses incurred after the funding approval letter are claimed using approved IG program funds.
  • For questions on expense eligibility not addressed in the guidance, contact mrdp@ngif.ca.

• NGIF Accelerator screens submitted applications (Stage 1) to confirm enough information is provided for evaluation and alignment with the program’s mandate.
• Stage 1 applications are evaluated by NGIF Accelerator’s Industry Grants program using the evaluation criteria set out in the Intake Guidelines; only selected applicants are invited to Stage 2.
• Stage 2 proposals undergo further evaluation (including site visits for successful Stage 2 applicants), and finalists are selected.
• Selected projects must pass both Gate 1 (Industry Grants evaluation) and Gate 2 (Government of Alberta TIER matching-funding assessment by an independent expert committee) before being approved for funding.
• NGIF Accelerator issues funding decisions (Cohort I: July 2026) and requires a fully executed Contribution Agreement before any funds are released.

• The program is designed as a fixed-intake model with three competitive intakes (cohorts) planned between November 2025 and December 2027.
• Each cohort cycle is anticipated to span approximately six to eight months from intake to project selection, followed by a contracting phase where project scopes may be refined based on due diligence outcomes.
• Successful projects are expected to proceed into an eighteen-month delivery period once contracts are executed.
• Only expenses incurred after the funding approval letter are eligible for payment using the approved Industry Grants program funds (even if a project starts earlier).