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NSERC Alliance – Alberta Innovates Advance Program
Supports emerging technology research in Alberta
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Funding available
$ 150,000
Location
Alberta, Canada
Who can apply
Researchers from post-secondary institutions that are on NSERC’s list of Alberta-based universities.
See full eligibility
Overview
NSERC Alliance – Alberta Innovates Advance is a partnership program for Alberta-based researchers and universities that supports projects advancing emerging technologies toward development and commercialization. It focuses on research aligned with Alberta’s innovation priorities across two streams, including supplemental support for active NSERC Discovery Grants and a general stream for NSERC-eligible researchers.
Receipt of requests is now closed
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At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase performance through digital transformation
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Develop a new product or service
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 150,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Alberta
Legal structures
- Public or Parapublic institution
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- All groups
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
Availability timeline
2026
Periods: 1
Activities funded
- Conduct the research needed to advance to the development stage.
- Advance an idea toward developing a technological solution.
- Bridge the gap between academic research and technology validation within Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 2 to 4.
Documents Needed
- Approved NSERC Discovery Grants (Individual) full application
- NSERC’s Notice of Decision including Terms and Conditions
- Message from the evaluation group
- Alberta Innovates supplemental budget expenses
- Form 100A – Personal Information Form and Form 101 – Grant Application
- Technology Transfer Office evaluation form
Sources and recorded changes
- Source change captured
- Change recorded
- Record updated
A captured source change or record update does not confirm eligibility. Check the funder’s current rules before applying.
Advance Program deadline and eligibility update
The Advance Program now shows a closed intake, a revised full application deadline of November 2, 2026, and a new project start requirement of February 1, 2027.
The program page now shows the intake as closed and removes the open-intake application link, while the full application deadline is updated to November 2, 2026. The new guide also confirms a February 1, 2027 project start requirement and adds more detailed applicant and project rules, including Alberta physical presence, financial standing, and no industry participation. The application steps are also expanded to require completing the NSERC application in its portal, attaching the PDF to the Alberta Innovates form, and waiting for conditional partner-signoff before submission to NSERC.
Program guide
Application form
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Researchers from post-secondary institutions that are on NSERC’s list of Alberta-based universities.
- Researchers from Alberta universities are the Applicant Representatives for applications to this program.
- The Applicant Representative (NSERC primary applicant) must hold an NSERC peer-reviewed grant when they apply and meet NSERC eligibility criteria when applying and when funding is released.
- Only one application per Primary Applicant (Principal Investigator) per fiscal year (April 1 to March 31) is permitted.
Who is not eligible
- Applicants cannot hold more than one active Advance Stream II grant at the same time.
Eligible expenses
- Labour costs at reasonable market rates for individuals specifically identified as performing project services
- Materials at the lower of cost or fair market value, and additional direct operating costs
- Property acquisitions, including capital improvements to facility premises and capital equipment, and acquisitions of software or information databases
- Basic professional services, subcontractor costs, and travel when necessary, including mileage, airfare, accommodation, and meals at reasonable rates
- Unrecoverable GST on eligible expenses, and any other cost pre-approved in writing by Alberta Innovates
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Costs incurred before the Investment Agreement is signed.
- Costs greater than market prices.
- Costs incurred between non-arm’s-length entities.
- Industry participation is not permitted under the Advance Program.
- Projects developing technologies at later stages are not eligible for this program.
Selection criteria
- At intake, applications are assessed on Future Market Opportunity, Research plan, and Impact and benefits to Alberta and Canada, with major emphasis on the Future Market Opportunity of the proposed technology.
- At the full application stage, applications are assessed on Future Market Opportunity, Research plan and team, Training, and Impact and benefits to Alberta and Canada.
- At the intake stage, applications will be ranked in order, and a limited number of applications will be selected in each priority focus area to go to the next stage of full application submission.
How to apply
- Stream I applicants must submit the Post-Secondary Investments & Emerging Technologies (PSIET) Intake Form in the Funding Opportunities tab on the AI online portal.
- If the Stream I intake form is approved, the applicant must submit the full proposal in SmartSimple.
- If successful, Alberta Innovates will execute an Investment Agreement with the academic institution before project activities can proceed.
- Stream II applicants must first contact the Alberta Innovates Advance program manager to determine alignment with the program requirements.
- After alignment is confirmed, Stream II applicants must submit the PSIET EOI in SmartSimple.
- If the EOI is approved, the applicant must complete the NSERC application, attach the PDF to the Alberta Innovates application, complete the joint call funding partner form, and then submit the application to NSERC.
Processing and Agreement
- Stream I full proposals are reviewed internally, with NSERC evaluation group comments considered.
- Applicants are notified through SmartSimple once a decision has been made.
- Stream II applications are reviewed jointly by Alberta Innovates and NSERC, and Alberta Innovates may recommend whether an application proceeds to NSERC review.
- Applications approved by both NSERC and Alberta Innovates receive funding, and successful applicants execute an Investment Agreement with Alberta Innovates.
- For Stream II, separate agreements are executed by NSERC and Alberta Innovates with the Applicant.
Additional information
- Alberta Innovates funds on a milestone completion basis.
- Applicants must submit a Progress and/or Final Report and show sufficient progress before the next milestone payment.
- Project outcomes may be monitored for up to five years after project completion.
- Applicants are strongly recommended to demonstrate Equity, Diversity and Inclusion adequately in the proposed project.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the NSERC Alliance – Alberta Innovates Advance Program Program
What is the NSERC Alliance – Alberta Innovates Advance Program?
NSERC Alliance – Alberta Innovates Advance is a partnership program for Alberta-based researchers and universities that supports projects advancing emerging technologies toward development and commercialization. It focuses on research aligned with Alberta’s innovation priorities across two streams, including supplemental support for active NSERC Discovery Grants and a general stream for NSERC-eligible researchers.
How much funding can be received?
NSERC Alliance – Alberta Innovates Advance Program Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses, capped at $150,000 per project.
Who is eligible for the NSERC Alliance – Alberta Innovates Advance Program program?
To be eligible for the NSERC Alliance – Alberta Innovates Advance Program program, you must:
Applicants must be authorized to undertake the project and sign Alberta Innovates’ standard agreement.
Applicants must have a physical presence in Alberta.
Projects must align with the program objectives, NSERC eligibility criteria, eligible technology topics, and a priority focus area.
What expenses are eligible under NSERC Alliance – Alberta Innovates Advance Program?
Labour costs at reasonable market rates for individuals specifically identified as performing project services
Materials at the lower of cost or fair market value, and additional direct operating costs
Property acquisitions, including capital improvements to facility premises and capital equipment, and acquisitions of software or information databases
Basic professional services, subcontractor costs, and travel when necessary, including mileage, airfare, accommodation, and meals at reasonable rates
Unrecoverable GST on eligible expenses, and any other cost pre-approved in writing by Alberta Innovates
Who can I contact for more information about the NSERC Alliance – Alberta Innovates Advance Program?
You can contact Alberta Innovates by email at susie.li@albertainnovates.ca or by phone at 780-632-8229.
Where is the NSERC Alliance – Alberta Innovates Advance Program available?
The NSERC Alliance – Alberta Innovates Advance Program program is available the province of Alberta.
Is the NSERC Alliance – Alberta Innovates Advance Program a grant, loan, or tax credit?
NSERC Alliance – Alberta Innovates Advance Program is a Grant and Funding