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.

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Eligible projects for the NSERC Alliance–Alberta Innovates Advance Program include advancing discoveries to develop emerging technologies that align with Alberta’s innovation strategies and generate benefits for Albertans and Canadians.

Advancing emerging-tech discoveries at Alberta’s universities toward commercialization.
Stream I: Activities related to emerging technology subject areas such as Artificial Intelligence, Quantum, and Robotics.
Stream II: Projects focusing on Internet of Things (IoT)/Machine-to-machine systems, Advanced data management and analytics, Cybersecurity, and Quantum computing.
Aligning with Technology Readiness Levels 2 to 4 for Stream II projects.

grant_single_labels|admissibility

The NSERC Alliance – Alberta Innovates Advance Program is open to Alberta-based researchers with specific focus areas. Eligibility criteria vary between the two streams of the program, Stream I for NSERC Discovery Grant holders and Stream II for general proposals aligning with targeted emerging technology topics.

Stream I: Researchers must have an active NSERC Discovery Grant (Individual) for Competition Year 2023 at an Alberta institution, focusing on emerging technology subjects listed in Appendix A. They cannot hold more than one Advance Stream I grant simultaneously.
Stream II: Researchers must be at NSERC’s designated Alberta-based universities, hold an NSERC peer-reviewed grant at the time of application and funding release, and only one application per Principal Investigator is allowed per fiscal year. Current Stream II grant holders may apply for Stream I, given eligibility.
All projects must align with the Advance Program objectives, meet NSERC’s eligibility criteria, focus on outlined technology areas, start by February 3, 2025, be completed within two years, and for Stream II, operate within TRL levels 2 to 4.
Applicants must be authorized to undertake the project, execute agreements with Alberta Innovates, not be prohibited from receiving Alberta Innovates funding, and have a physical presence in Alberta.

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

Eligible expenses for the NSERC Alliance – Alberta Innovates Advance Program include reasonable costs directly associated with the project after the Investment Agreement is signed. Costs incurred before signing the Investment Agreement and costs greater than market prices are ineligible.

Costs related to project execution incurred after the Investment Agreement signing
Market-priced expenses with arm’s length entities

grant_eligibility_criteria|zone

The NSERC Alliance – Alberta Innovates Advance Program is specifically targeted at researchers from Alberta-based universities. To participate, the applicant must have a physical presence in Alberta and be affiliated with an institution recognized by NSERC in Alberta.

Alberta-based researchers
Affiliation with NSERC-recognized Alberta universities
Physical presence in Alberta

grant_single_labels|criteria

The NSERC Alliance – Alberta Innovates Advance Program evaluates applications based on alignment with program objectives and intended outcomes, and NSERC merit indicators. Priority is given to proposals demonstrating research collaboration and the integration of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) in their projects.

Alignment with the objectives of the Advance Program
Fulfillment of NSERC’s eligibility criteria
Alignment with emerging technology subject areas
NSERC Merit indicators: Quality of the proposal, Project Team and Training Opportunities, Relevance and Outcomes, and Future Market Opportunity
Practice of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) in the proposed project
Competitive basis of award decisions, especially for Stream II

grant_single_labels|register

Step 1: Contact the Alberta Innovates Advance program manager to assess alignment with the program requirements, including one of the targeted emerging technology research topics.
Step 2: Complete and submit the Post-Secondary Investments & Emerging Technologies (PSIET) Intake Form within the Funding Opportunities tab on the AI online portal (SmartSimple). On the intake form, select "Advance Stream II (General stream)".
Step 3: Await approval of the PSIET Intake Form from Alberta Innovates.
Step 4: Upon approval of the PSIET Intake Form, receive an invitation to submit a full proposal.
Step 5: Complete the NSERC application (without submitting it) and generate the PDF version of it using NSERC’s online portal.
Step 6: Complete the Alberta Innovates application form in the AI online portal (SmartSimple) and attach a PDF of the NSERC application as part of the Alberta Innovates application.
Step 7: If conditionally approved, Alberta Innovates will sign the NSERC 'joint call funding partner' form in the NSERC application portal.
Step 8: Once Alberta Innovates has signed the Partner Form, submit the application to NSERC through the appropriate NSERC application portal (NSERC online system).

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

NSERC Alliance – Alberta Innovates Advance Program Overview

The NSERC Alliance – Alberta Innovates Advance Program provides funding to support Alberta university researchers in developing emerging technologies aligned with Alberta's technology and innovation strategies. This initiative aims to promote economic diversification and job creation within nascent industries in Alberta by investing in research excellence and creating highly qualified personnel.

Detailed Explanation of the NSERC Alliance – Alberta Innovates Advance Program

In the ever-evolving landscape of global research and innovation, Alberta Innovates has positioned itself as a key player in propelling Alberta, and by extension, Canada, into a future characterized by sustainable economic growth, technological advancement, and societal well-being. The NSERC Alliance – Alberta Innovates Advance Program embodies this mission, offering a gateway for Alberta-based academics and researchers to transform their discoveries into tangible innovations that generate broad economic, environmental, and social benefits. The program's structure rests on a robust partnership between Alberta Innovates and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC). This collaboration forms the backbone of a funding landscape designed to accelerate the translation of research into emerging technologies, thereby enabling new market opportunities both locally and globally. **Program Structure and Streams** The Advance Program is thoughtfully divided into two main streams, each targeting specific facets of research and technology development to maximize impact and efficiency: 1. **Stream I (NSERC Discovery Grants [Individual]):** This stream is designed to enhance existing research efforts by providing supplemental funding to researchers who hold active NSERC Discovery Grants in Alberta. The focus is on fostering projects that delve into emerging technology areas such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, robotics, and more—areas that hold transformative potential for industry applications and societal innovation. 2. **Stream II (General Stream):** The general stream expands the scope to NSERC-eligible researchers at Alberta-based universities who are working on pioneering discoveries across targeted information and communications technologies (ICT) topics. These include the Internet of Things (IoT), advanced data analytics, and quantum computing, which have significant implications for privacy, productivity, and economic prosperity. **Eligibility Criteria** To qualify for the Advance Program, projects must align with the program's objectives and should conform to the NSERC eligibility criteria. Additionally, Stream I projects need to focus on specific emerging technology areas, whereas Stream II demands alignment with defined ICT topics. All projects must have a specified timeframe for completion and must fall within Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 2 to 4, ensuring that projects are at a stage where they can effectively transition from research to development. **Application Process** Navigating the application process requires precision and foresight: - **Stream I Application:** Researchers interested in supplemental funding from Alberta Innovates must submit the Post-Secondary Investments & Emerging Technologies (PSIET) Intake Form via the SmartSimple online portal. Successful intake approvals lead to a more detailed application process, including the submission of budgets and a full proposal, ensuring the alignment of proposed activities with existing NSERC-funded endeavors. - **Stream II Application:** Applicants must first consult with Alberta Innovates program managers to ensure their research aligns with the program's ICT focus. Upon alignment, the PSIET Intake Form is submitted, followed by a detailed full proposal contingent on initial approvals. Joint evaluation by NSERC and Alberta Innovates guarantees that funded projects meet rigorous standards for innovation and potential impact. **Funding Details** Funding varies between the streams in terms of scope and scale: - **Stream I Funding:** Provides up to two-thirds of NSERC's annual Discovery Grants, capped at $20,000 annually per researcher for a period of up to two years. This focused investment aims to deepen research activities already underway within Alberta’s academic institutions. - **Stream II Funding:** Proposals can request up to $150,000 annually, with Alberta Innovates contributing a maximum of $100,000 yearly. NSERC matches this with 50%, ensuring robust financial support for innovative projects. This stream is particularly instrumental in ushering research from theoretical exploration to practical technology validation and potential commercialization. **Evaluation and Expected Outcomes** Both streams undergo thorough evaluation processes to ensure alignment with the program's comprehensive objectives: - **Stream I Evaluation:** Internal review considers NSERC group's insights, aligning Alberta Innovates' funding decisions with overarching provincial research priorities. Successful projects result in funding agreements crucial for advancing research activities. - **Stream II Evaluation:** An iterative review by Alberta Innovates precedes NSERC assessment, ensuring that all project aspects, from collaboration potential to market impact, adhere to stringent evaluation criteria. Program outcomes reflect Alberta Innovates' strategic goals: fostering increased R&D activity, developing new highly qualified personnel (HQPs) in burgeoning fields, and facilitating the creation of advanced products and services that drive economic growth and diversification. **Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion** The program strongly encourages the integration of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) into all research proposals. Emphasizing EDI not only ensures a broader spectrum of perspectives in research but also enhances the overall quality and relevance of innovations developed. **Performance Measurement and Accountability** Alberta Innovates invests with an emphasis on results-driven funding. Performance metrics are closely monitored, both at the project and program level, ensuring continuous evaluation of the economic, societal, and environmental returns on investment. The grant operates under a milestone-based funding system, where progress reports influence subsequent financial support, thereby aligning investment with tangible outcomes. **Conclusion** The NSERC Alliance – Alberta Innovates Advance Program stands as a cornerstone for Alberta’s academic and technological landscape, driving forward the spirit of innovation. By leveraging both NSERC's and Alberta Innovates' resources and expertise, the program not only accelerates research but also strategically positions Alberta’s academia and industries at the forefront of global scientific and technological advancements. Through sustained investment in research excellence and emerging technologies, Alberta Innovates and its partners aim to create a robust pipeline of innovative solutions that not only tackle pressing challenges but also forge new pathways to economic prosperity and societal health.

NSERC Alliance – Alberta Innovates Advance Program

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