How much funding can be received?

The NSERC Alliance – Alberta Innovates Advance Program is designed to support Alberta university researchers in developing emerging technologies aligned with Alberta's technology and innovation strategies. It offers two streams of funding: Stream I, which supplements NSERC Discovery Grants for researchers with awards in emerging technology areas, and Stream II, targeting general researchers focusing on specific topics such as Internet of Things, advanced data management, cybersecurity, and quantum computing. Eligible projects must align with outlined emerging technology areas and be aimed towards commercialization within a two-year term.

grant_single_labels|projects

This grant is specifically available to Alberta-based academic institutions and researchers. The eligible locations are restricted to ensure that the program supports the intended local economic and innovation strategies.

Academic institutions and researchers based in Alberta, Canada.

grant_single_labels|admissibility

There are no specific company eligibility criteria for this grant, as it is primarily aimed at researchers and academic institutions.

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply

Eligibility for the NSERC Alliance – Alberta Innovates Advance Program is divided into two streams, each with specific criteria.

Stream I (NSERC Discovery Grants [Individual]): Researchers who hold active NSERC Discovery Grants (Individual) at post-secondary institutions in Alberta for Competition Year 2023, focusing on one or more emerging technology subject areas as outlined in Appendix A of the Program Guide. Applicants cannot hold more than one Advance Stream I grant simultaneously.
Stream II (General Stream): Researchers must be from universities on NSERC’s list of Alberta-based universities. They must hold an NSERC peer-reviewed grant at the time of application and meet NSERC eligibility criteria when applying and when the funding is released. Applicants cannot hold more than one Advance (Stream II) grant simultaneously, and only one application per Primary Applicant (PI) per fiscal year is permitted. Current Advance (Stream II) grant holders may however be eligible to apply for Stream I funding, meeting the eligibility requirements of Stream I.
All applicants must align with Alberta Innovates’ objectives of advancing emerging technology readiness levels toward commercialization and creating highly qualified personnel in Alberta's emerging technology areas.
Applicants must align with at least one of the emerging technology subject areas for Stream I or one of the four emerging technology research topics for Stream II.

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply

The NSERC Alliance – Alberta Innovates Advance Program is specifically designed for Alberta-based academic institutions and researchers, particularly those holding NSERC grants. As such, private industry companies are not eligible to apply directly for grants under this program.

The program is targeted only at academic institutions and researchers in Alberta.
Funding is not available directly to private industry companies.
Industry participation is not permitted in Stream II of the program.

grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses

This grant supports Alberta university researchers in advancing discoveries to develop emerging technologies with economic and social benefits. Eligible projects must align with the objectives and emerging technology areas of the Advance Program.

Research projects advancing emerging technology towards commercialization.
Development of projects within Information and Communications Technologies, such as IoT, data management, cybersecurity, and quantum computing.
Projects developing technologies within Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 2 to 4.

grant_eligibility_criteria|zone

The grant covers specific expenses directly related to the implementation and success of the project, as specified in the agreement.

Personnel costs required to execute the project.
Costs related to the use of unique scientific talent or knowledge from outside the project.
Materials, research supplies, and project-specific consumables.
Rent and utilities for project workspace.
Costs for machinery and equipment essential for the project but not already budgeted by the applicant.
Travel expenses strictly necessary for project execution.
Costs relating to dissemination of project results.
A reasonable allocation of administrative costs directly connected with project delivery.

grant_single_labels|criteria

The evaluation and selection of projects for the NSERC Alliance – Alberta Innovates Advance Program are based on specific criteria to ensure alignment with the program’s objectives.

Eligibility criteria for the Applicant and the proposed project as outlined in the guidelines.
NSERC Merit indicators including the quality of the proposal, the project team and training opportunities, and future market opportunity.
Alignment with Advance Program objectives.
Encouragement to demonstrate the practice of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) in the proposed project.

grant_single_labels|register

Step 1: Access Eligibility
- Verify that your research aligns with the objectives of the Advance Program and meets NSERC's eligibility criteria.
- Ensure your project aligns with the emerging technology subject areas for Stream I or the four targeted emerging technology topics for Stream II.
Step 2: Initial Contact
- Stream II applicants should contact the Alberta Innovates Advance program manager for initial alignment assessment.
Step 3: Complete PSIET Intake Form
- For Stream I, submit the Post-Secondary Investments & Emerging Technologies (PSIET) Intake Form on the AI online portal, SmartSimple.
- For Stream II, after alignment confirmation, submit the PSIET Intake Form on SmartSimple.
Step 4: Notification and Full Proposal
- If approved, receive notification to submit the full proposal.
- For Stream I, include essential documents like the approved NSERC application, NSERC’s Notice of Decision, evaluation group message, and Alberta Innovates supplemental budget expenses.
- For Stream II, generate a PDF version of the NSERC application from their portal and include it in the Alberta Innovates application on SmartSimple.
Step 5: Conditional Approval and Submission
- Upon conditional approval by Alberta Innovates, sign the NSERC 'joint call funding partner' form in the NSERC application portal.
- Complete and submit your application to NSERC for final approval.
Step 6: Final Decision and Agreement
- Await the final decision after the internal review from Alberta Innovates and NSERC’s review.
- If successful, execute an Investment Agreement with Alberta Innovates to commence project activities.

grant_single_labels|otherInfo

The NSERC Alliance - Alberta Innovates Advance Program is aimed at bridging academic research and technological development, with a focus on emerging technologies, while emphasizing diversity and inclusion in project execution. Alberta Innovates requires detailed performance measurement and financial reporting to ensure the funded projects align with Alberta's innovation priorities and deliver tangible benefits.

Applicants must be in good financial standing with Alberta Innovates to qualify for funding.
Funding decisions rest solely with Alberta Innovates, providing no guarantees based on meeting eligibility criteria.
The program emphasizes the practice of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) in project proposals.
Performance is monitored for up to five years post-project completion to assess benefit realization.
Funding operates on a milestone completion basis, with payments contingent on progress reports.
Alberta Innovates maintains confidentiality around reviewer identities to ensure impartial evaluations.

grant_single_labels|contact

susie.li@albertainnovates.ca

780-632-8229

Apply to this program

Exploring Opportunities for Alberta's Technological Advancements

The NSERC Alliance – Alberta Innovates Advance Program (Advance Program) supports Alberta-based university researchers in transforming technological discoveries into emerging technologies with substantial benefits. This initiative is designed to drive technological innovation, create economic growth, and improve the social fabric of communities across Alberta and Canada.

In-Depth Analysis of the NSERC Alliance – Alberta Innovates Advance Program

The NSERC Alliance – Alberta Innovates Advance Program serves as a beacon for Alberta's research community, driving forward technological advancements that promise significant economic, environmental, health, and social benefits. Specifically aimed at researchers within Alberta's universities, this grant program empowers projects that align with provincial innovation strategies and focus on taking technological discoveries to the commercialization stage. By supporting realms such as Information and Communications Technologies (ICT), this initiative fosters an academic environment ripe for groundbreaking discoveries and market-ready implementations.

This program operates two distinct streams to cater to different phases of research and discovery. Stream I is dedicated to augmenting NSERC Discovery Grants (Individual) with supplemental funding aimed specifically at active grant holders whose research overlaps with emerging technology themes. This stream represents a targeted approach to bolster specific R&D activities that might otherwise lack the necessary financial backing, ensuring ongoing discoveries get the support they need to transition from hypothetical concepts to practical applications.

Stream II, the broader General Stream, is designed for any NSERC-eligible researchers at Alberta universities. It focuses on four key emerging technology areas: the Internet of Things (IoT), advanced data management and analytics, cybersecurity, and quantum computing. These focus areas have been identified due to their transformational potential, offering new solutions to pervasive challenges within Alberta's primary sectors. By facilitating the exploration of these topics, the Advance Program aims not only to spur academic inquiry but also to create a robust environment for high-quality personnel (HQP) to develop, thereby enriching the workforce and supporting sustainable job creation.

The funding details highlight the program’s strategic alignment with long-term goals. Stream I offers up to 2/3rds of the NSERC Discovery Grants award value, capped at $20,000 annually for a maximum of two years. Stream II allows for more significant financial requests, up to $150,000 per year per project, matched at a 50% contribution by NSERC to a maximum of $50,000. By structuring funds this way, Alberta Innovates ensures resources are meticulously allocated to projects with the highest potential for groundbreaking results, while encouraging detailed project planning that harmonizes with Alberta's wider economic objectives.

Eligibility for funding under this program mandates a strict alignment with the outlined emerging technology subjects and themes. It ensures that projects not only display scientific merit but also demonstrate a clear pathway to market impact, underlining Alberta's drive towards economic diversification. Furthermore, proposals are required to incorporate equity, diversity, and inclusion practices, reinforcing a commitment to a diversified research ecosystem that reflects the Alberta community’s broad spectrum of perspectives and talents.

Applicants must navigate a rigorous application process, taking place through the SmartSimple portal, where proposals are assessed for their potential to meet the program’s objectives. The evaluation considers the project's scientific foundation, anticipated outcomes, and its alignment with Alberta's innovation goals. NSERC and Alberta Innovates undertake a collaborative review process, ensuring that funded projects are of the highest quality, promising significant advancements in their respective fields.

Ultimately, the NSERC Alliance – Alberta Innovates Advance Program stands as a catalyst for innovation in Alberta, equipped to transform research initiatives into viable technologies that foster economic growth and societal betterment. Through strategic investments in cutting-edge technologies, the program fosters an environment where innovation flourishes, providing a pathway to market creation and sustained prosperity for future generations. Researchers engaging with this program are not only contributors to scientific discourse but are vital players in shaping a more innovative, diverse, and vibrant Alberta.