How much funding can be received?

Funds up to 150000% of admissible expenses.

What is the deadline to apply?

The program is accepting continuous intake

Who are the financial supporters of the NSERC Alliance – Alberta Innovates Advance Program?

NSERC Alliance – Alberta Innovates Advance Program is funded by Alberta Innovates

What are NSERC Alliance – Alberta Innovates Advance Program's eligibility criterias?

Researchers must be from Alberta-based academic institutions and hold active NSERC peer-reviewed grants. The project must align with the objectives of the Advance Program and the specific emerging technology areas outlined in the program guide. The application must meet NSERC’s eligibility criteria and be completed within a two-year term.

NSERC Alliance – Alberta Innovates Advance Program

grant_single|update January 24, 2025

AB, Canada

Empower Alberta university researchers to develop cutting-edge technologies with significant economic, environmental, health, and social benefits

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grant_single|openingDate July 26, 2024
grant_single|closingDate October 31, 2024

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Grant and Funding

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Professional, scientific and technical services

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Alberta Innovates

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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.

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The NSERC Alliance – Alberta Innovates Advance Program provides funding for the development of emerging technologies through structured financial support to researchers in Alberta. The program has distinct financing modalities for its two streams, Stream I and Stream II, to support technology advancement and commercialization.

For Stream I, successful applicants receive 2/3rd of NSERC’s annual Discovery Grants (Individual) award value from Alberta Innovates, capped at $20,000 per year for up to two years.
Stream II allows for requests up to $150,000 per year over a two-year period, with a maximum of $100,000 per year provided by Alberta Innovates, and additional NSERC matching funds up to $50,000 per year at a 50% ratio.

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The NSERC Alliance – Alberta Innovates Advance Program supports projects that leverage innovative research to develop emerging technologies, focusing on information and communications technologies. These projects aim to generate significant economic, environmental, and societal benefits in Alberta, aligning with Alberta's emerging technology strategies.

Research and development in the Internet of Things (IoT) to enhance machine-to-machine systems and data synthesis.
Advanced data management and analytics that incorporate artificial intelligence and machine learning for improved decision-making processes.
Developing and implementing advanced cybersecurity measures to protect data integrity and system security.
Exploration and application of quantum computing to advance sensor technology and computational power.
Support for NSERC Discovery Grant holders to enhance their research in emerging technology areas like artificial intelligence and robotics.

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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This grant program is specifically designated for academic institutions and researchers based in Alberta, Canada. Applicants must have a physical presence in Alberta to be eligible for funding from the NSERC Alliance – Alberta Innovates Advance Program.

Alberta, Canada

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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.

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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.