Renewable and Alternative Energy Program

• The applicant can be from any category, including technology developers, industry, industrial associations, small and medium-sized enterprises, R&D organizations, post-secondary institutions, municipalities, not-for-profit organizations, government research labs, and individuals.
• The applicant is not required to be based in Alberta but must clearly demonstrate a strong value proposition and benefits for the province of Alberta.
• The project must focus on technology or knowledge development aligned with the Renewable and Alternative Energy program priorities (such as grid modernization, clean power and heat, and low-carbon electricity solutions).
• The technology development component of the project must be within Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 3 to 7.
• The project must align with Government of Alberta and Alberta Innovates priorities, including contributing to relevant 2030 Innovation Targets (e.g., GHG reduction, renewable energy, clean technology growth).

Who is eligible?

• Technology developers advancing clean technologies at TRL 3–7
• Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)
• Large and multi-national enterprises and industry
• Academic and research organizations, including post-secondary institutions and R&D organizations
• Municipalities, not-for-profit organizations, industrial associations, and government research labs

Who is not eligible

There are specific types of companies that are not eligible for this grant:

• Alberta-based organizations are not eligible.

Eligible expenses

• Salaries and benefits for employees directly working on the funded project.
• Reasonable costs of materials required to carry out the project activities.
• Capital improvements and equipment, as well as software or information databases, with costs pro-rated to the project timeframe based on the asset’s expected economic life.
• Project-related travel expenses, including mileage, economy airfare, meals and accommodation necessary to execute the project.
• Fees for subcontractors and external service providers supplying services or products required for the project.
• Other project costs that Alberta Innovates has explicitly pre-approved in writing as eligible expenses.

Eligible geographic areas

• Projects originating anywhere globally, provided they demonstrate a clear and justified value proposition for the province of Alberta.
• Projects that are researched, piloted, demonstrated and/or implemented in Alberta, with long-term Alberta-based infrastructure or resources, are prioritized.

• Innovation: projects are assessed on their level of technological and innovative advancement, as outlined in the SmartSimple online application form.
• Execution: evaluation of the quality and credibility of the project plan, including the team’s capacity and the approach to carry out the work.
• Impacts: assessment of the expected outcomes and benefits, with detailed considerations specified in the SmartSimple application form.

• This is a continuous intake program, meaning applications can be submitted at any time and are always being accepted.
• Applications may be reviewed by both internal subject-matter experts and external reviewers, whose identities are not disclosed to maintain objectivity.
• Funded projects are publicly profiled in a non-confidential summary after approval, and final outcomes and learnings are reported publicly while protecting competitive information.
• Alberta Innovates may share applications with selected external “Trusted Partners” funders for potential co-funding, subject to the applicant’s consent.