Strategic Networking and Development Program

This program supports members of Alberta post-secondaries and not-for-profits who are leading events that focus on emerging technologies that inspire innovation, foster collaboration, and drive progress in our province, with up to $25,000 in funding.

On This Page

Program at a Glance

Program Status: Active
Business Area: Entrepreneurial Investments, Post-Secondary Investments & Emerging Technology
Priority Area(s): Support of up to $25,000 for events that drive innovation and progress in the tech industry while bringing Albertans together and driving real-world impact and change in our province

Eligibility

Program Status: Active
Alberta-based: Yes
Organization Type: Multi-National Enterprise
Not-for-Profit
Post-Secondary Students
Small to Medium Enterprise

Overview

The Strategic Networking & Development program supports activities in alignment with our mission and values to grow an Alberta technology ecosystem where inventors:

  • Connect Alberta’s tech talent and expertise including researchers, other inventors, and students with each other and with industry, including the small-medium enterprise / start-up community, multinational enterprises, and other technology end-users and stakeholders.
  • Explore Alberta-based collaborations between members of academia, industry, community, and government.
  • Provide exceptional experiential learning opportunities for K-12 or post-secondary students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
  • Develop entrepreneurial thinking and skillsets to become engaged individuals, contributors, and leaders, helping to preparing students/inventors for their futures in Alberta.

We provide funding up to $25,000, depending on the size and scope of the event. Projects, including event lead-up time, have a maximum term of one year.

In addition to financial support, we offer resources and expertise to help event organizers succeed. Our team can connect organizers with other resources and partners in the ecosystem.

Open Intakes

Strategic Networking and Development - Continuous Intake

Due date: Continuous

More details

Program Guide

Strategic Networking and Development Program Guide

Download Program Guide

Eligibility

Projects should create or strengthen collaborations and connections within the innovation ecosystem, and/or provide experiential and intrapreneurial/entrepreneurial learning opportunities with a technology focus/in a tech setting. Examples of eligible activities can include:

  • Focused networking events convening two or more groups including academia, industry, government and/or community stakeholders within an emerging technology topic area.
  • A workshop organized by university researcher(s) around a specific area of emerging technology for further development/adoption involving other institutions, industry end-users and/or students.
  • Team-based science-focused experiential learning opportunities (typically Post-Secondary or High School participants).
  • Hackathons and coding contests.
  • Symposia showcasing student capabilities and skillsets to prospective employers.
  • Intrapreneurial/entrepreneurial training for students/youth.

The program is open to:

  • Post-secondary Institutions
  • For-Profit Organizations*
  • Non-Profit/Not-for Profit Organizations
  • Associations/Consortia/Societies
  • Public, Private and Separate Schools

*For-Profit Organizations will be considered based on the nature of the services provided; however, non-profit is preferred. Reach out to the Program Coordinator for more details.

Please refer to the Program Guide for other eligibility requirements.

How To Apply

  1. Familiarize yourself with the program guide listed under Intake Details.
  2. Contact the coordinator below to discuss your proposed project or submit a summary of your proposed project using the Post-Secondary Investments & Emerging Technologies (PSIET) Intake Form within the Funding Opportunities tab on SmartSimple, our online application portal.
  3. Wait for your proposal to be reviewed. Applicants who submit an intake form will be contacted in turn.
  4. We will invite applicants whose projects are eligible and potentially aligned to the program objectives and intended outcomes to submit a full application.

Evaluation Process

All applications are reviewed and evaluated to determine fit with the Program objectives and intended outcomes described above, as well as with the Alberta ecosystem’s needs. Alberta Innovates staff and expert reviewers are engaged to evaluate Applications. This program is continuous intake and applications are reviewed as they are received.

Alberta Innovates retains the sole right to determine the evaluation process and assessment criteria and does not disclose the names of its reviewers to ensure their objectivity and impartiality. Internal and external parties involved in the evaluation are subject to confidentiality and conflict-of-interest policies set by Alberta Innovates.

All investment decisions are at the sole discretion of Alberta Innovates.

Support Resources

SmartSimple Online Application Portal

Eligible and Ineligible Expenses – Strategic Networking and Development Program

Investment Agreement Template – Strategic Networking and Development Program

Contact

Chao Lipuka

Coordinator, Post-Secondary Investments and Emerging Technologies

780-450-5146

Open and Upcoming Intakes

Strategic Networking and Development - Continuous Intake

This program supports members of Alberta post-secondaries and not-for-profits who are leading events that focus on emerging technologies that inspire innovation, foster collaboration, and drive progress in our province, with up to $25,000 in funding.

Open Apply Now

Discover More

Related Programs

Ecosystem Development Partnerships Program

Agriculture & Forestry, Emerging Technology & Data Science

Active