Closed
Northern and Regional Economic Development Program
Supports regional economic development and diversification initiatives
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 to support regional economic development and diversification in Alberta. Eligible activities include feasibility studies, training or events, marketing and investment promotion, and business retention and expansion initiatives.
/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 for future economic development projects
- Training activities, conferences, webinars, and other events that build skills and capacity
- Marketing, investment attraction, and regional promotion initiatives
- Business retention and expansion initiatives that support local businesses
- Innovative projects, pilot projects, research and development, and other initiatives aligned with program priorities
Documents Needed
- Proof that matching funding is secured or committed
- Quotes, estimates, historical data, or similar budget support
- Confirmation of in-kind contributions, if applicable
- Letters of support or commitment from partners, communities, or collaborators
- Regulatory approval documents, if required for the project
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Incorporated non-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 first go through an administrative screening for completeness and eligibility.
- Eligible applications are then reviewed and scored through a competitive process by Government of Alberta and agency reviewers.
- The application status remains submitted in the portal until final decisions are made.
- Successful applicants receive a grant agreement that must be signed by both parties before any payment is released.
- Approved recipients must provide regular financial and outcome reports as set out in the grant agreement.
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 to support regional economic development and diversification in Alberta. Eligible activities include feasibility studies, training or events, marketing and investment promotion, and business retention and expansion initiatives.
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:
Based in Alberta
Eligible non-profit, municipality, or Indigenous community
Economic development project
What expenses are eligible under Northern and Regional Economic Development Program?
Planning and feasibility studies for future economic development projects
Training activities, conferences, webinars, and other events that build skills and capacity
Marketing, investment attraction, and regional promotion initiatives
Business retention and expansion initiatives that support local businesses
Innovative projects, pilot projects, research and development, and other initiatives aligned with program priorities
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.