METHANE REDUCTION DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM

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.

• 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).