Closed
Northern and Regional Economic Development Program
Supports regional economic development projects in Alberta
Last Update: April 9, 2026
Funding available
$ 10,000 - $ 300,000
Timeline
- Open Date : September 3, 2025
- Closing date : November 28, 2025
Location
Alberta, Canada
Overview
Provides up to $300,000 per project to support regional economic development and diversification in Alberta. Eligible activities include planning and feasibility studies, training or events, marketing and regional promotion, and business retention and expansion projects.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Develop team skills
- Conduct research and development activities
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 300,000 $
- Minimum amount : 10,000 $
- Up to 75% of project cost
Timeline
- Open Date : September 3, 2025
- Closing date : November 28, 2025
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Alberta
Legal structures
- Non-profit
- Public or Parapublic institution
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
- Rural or Northern Residents
- Startups
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Economic, Social and Community Development
Target groups
- Indigenous peoples
- Rural / Remote communities
- Business owners / entrepreneurs
- Artists / creatives
- Nonprofits / charities
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- Municipal
- Regional
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Planning and feasibility studies
- Training or events
- Marketing and investment or regional promotion
- Business retention and expansion projects
- Innovative initiatives, pilot projects, and research and development
Documents Needed
- NRED Budget Template
- NRED Management and Measures Template
- Quotes, estimates, or historical data
- Letters of commitment
- Additional supplemental project documentation
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Incorporated not-for-profit organizations with an economic development mandate
- Municipalities
- Indigenous communities, including First Nations and Métis Settlements
- Project-based partnerships led by an eligible entity
Who is not eligible
- Organizations not based in Alberta
- Non-profits without an economic development mandate
- Non-profits that have operated for less than one year or are not in good standing with required filings
- Applicants seeking to combine this support with other Government of Alberta or Alberta agency funding for the same project
- Applicants not in good standing on previous agreements under this program
Eligible expenses
- Professional service fees, excluding legal and accounting
- Project management, facilitators, speaker fees, and limited recruitment costs for a new Economic Development Officer tied to the project
- Facility and equipment rentals, advertising, marketing, printing, and publishing
- Travel within Alberta, standard accommodations, meals, and hospitality in line with provincial policy
- Event-related costs such as catering and other approved non-capital project costs
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Capital costs, land acquisition, and operating costs
- Salaries for existing staff and most new staff hires, except limited support for a new Economic Development Officer tied to the project
- Legal and accounting fees, insurance, membership fees, and sponsorships
- Alcohol, gifts, prizes, fundraising, lobbying, and advocacy activities
- Travel outside Alberta, retroactive costs, permits and licences, and application preparation costs
Eligible geographic areas
- Alberta
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are reviewed after submission through the online portal.
- Successful applicants receive a grant agreement before any payment is released.
- The agreement must be signed by both parties.
- Recipients must report on financial status and project outcomes as required.
Additional information
- The program is competitive, with $3 million available for the 2025/2026 intake.
- Projects that require provincial or federal regulatory approval must have that approval in place before applying.
- Projects previously funded by this program may affect eligibility if reporting requirements were not met.
- Funding from the Government of Alberta or its agencies cannot be combined for the same project.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Northern and Regional Economic Development Program Program
Here are answers to the most common questions about the Northern and Regional Economic Development Program. 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 Northern and Regional Economic Development Program?
Provides up to $300,000 per project to support regional economic development and diversification in Alberta. Eligible activities include planning and feasibility studies, training or events, marketing and regional promotion, and business retention and expansion projects.
How much funding can be received?
Northern and Regional Economic Development Program Funds up to 75% of admissible expenses, capped at $300,000 per project.
What is the deadline to apply?
The application deadline for this grant program was November 28, 2025.
Who is eligible for the Northern and Regional Economic Development Program program?
To be eligible for the Northern and Regional Economic Development Program program, you must:
Alberta municipalities, Indigenous communities, or not-for-profits
Economic development mandate
Regional economic development project
What expenses are eligible under Northern and Regional Economic Development Program?
Planning and feasibility studies
Training or events
Marketing and investment or regional promotion
Business retention and expansion projects
Innovative initiatives, pilot projects, and research and development
Who can I contact for more information about the Northern and Regional Economic Development Program?
You can contact Government of Alberta by email at NRED.program@gov.ab.ca or by phone at 1-833-538-6733.
Where is the Northern and Regional Economic Development Program available?
The Northern and Regional Economic Development Program program is available the province of Alberta.