Aerospace, Defence and Advanced Materials & Manufacturing (ADAMM)

Aerospace, defence, and advanced materials and manufacturing are cross-sectoral priorities that can diversify Alberta’s economy, strengthen secure supply chains, create highly skilled employment, and expand the province’s role in national and global markets. Alberta’s capabilities in applied research, engineering, manufacturing, energy, and entrepreneurship provide a strong platform for developing high-impact technologies in emerging sectors.

The ADAMM portfolio will connect industry, post-secondary institutions, research organizations, government, and end users to accelerate the transition from research to market-ready solutions. Through strategic investment in collaborative research and development, validation, demonstration, adoption, and scale-up, the portfolio will help Alberta companies commercialize innovations, generate intellectual property, attract investment, and compete in domestic and international markets.

Focused on advanced materials and aerospace, with defence and dual-use applications spanning both areas, the portfolio will address technology and commercialization gaps in novel materials, aviation technologies, advanced manufacturing, and automation. Investments will prioritize opportunities with clear industry demand, credible pathways to market, and the potential to deliver measurable economic and societal value for Albertans.

The portfolio uses a continuous intake process, as described in the Application Guide. In addition, periodical calls for proposals (also known as funding competitions) will be issued to award grant funding. Each call for proposals will have specific priorities and criteria, along with a dedicated portfolio description and application process guide.

Innovation Areas

Aerospace & Defence

Aerospace presents a strategic opportunity for Alberta to build globally competitive capabilities, diversify its economy, strengthen domestic supply chains, and contribute to national defence and security priorities. Drawing on provincial strengths in engineering, advanced manufacturing, energy systems, digital technologies, and applied research, Alberta can accelerate aerospace and aviation innovation while supporting company growth, investment attraction, and access to national and international markets.

Defence presents a strategic opportunity for Alberta to strengthen national security, enhance economic resilience, diversify its technology base, and expand participation in growing domestic and international defence markets. Building on Alberta’s strengths in engineering, advanced manufacturing, aerospace, artificial intelligence, digital technologies, energy systems, and applied research, the province is well positioned to develop and commercialize innovative solutions that address evolving defence, public safety, and critical infrastructure challenges. Strategic investment in defence innovation can increase industrial capability, strengthen sovereign and secure supply chains, attract investment, and create highly skilled employment while supporting Canada’s defence and security priorities.

Technical priorities include autonomous and remotely operated systems; intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance technologies; advanced sensors and detection systems; secure communications; cybersecurity; command and control systems; logistics and sustainment technologies; critical infrastructure protection; advanced materials; and aerospace and space-based capabilities. The portfolio also supports dual-use technologies that provide both civilian and defence applications, enabling broader commercialization opportunities and market adoption. Investments will emphasize technology validation, demonstration, interoperability testing, regulatory and procurement readiness, adoption, and scale-up to improve operational effectiveness, resilience, security, and manufacturing competitiveness. Solutions that strengthen supply chain security, enhance situational awareness, improve mission readiness, and address emerging threats will be prioritized, with a focus on industry-led innovation, commercialization potential, and measurable economic and societal benefits for Albertans.

Advanced Materials and Manufacturing

Advanced materials and manufacturing present a strategic opportunity to transform Alberta’s natural resources, industrial capabilities, and research strengths into higher-value products, globally competitive companies, and more resilient supply chains. Investment in novel materials, critical-mineral recovery and processing, and advanced manufacturing can reduce reliance on imported inputs, generate intellectual property, attract investment, and accelerate economic diversification.

Technical priorities include technologies for recovering, refining, and processing critical minerals; bitumen-derived and bioindustrial materials; and polymers, composites, coatings, nanomaterials, specialty chemicals, and other engineered materials. Enabling capabilities include advanced chemical conversion, additive and digital manufacturing, automation, pilot-scale demonstration, recycling, and circular manufacturing processes. Investments will emphasize industry-led solutions that improve material performance, resource efficiency, manufacturability, scalability, and commercial readiness while reducing waste and environmental impacts.

See our portfolio guide for more details and investment priorities.