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Home > Funding Programs > Accelerating Innovations into CarE (AICE) – Concepts
The AICE Concepts program is designed to accelerate the conversion of research into innovation by applying digital and data-enabled solutions.
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The AICE – Concepts Program serves to accelerate early-stage health research and innovation that demonstrates high commercial potential towards proof of concept.
AICE – Concepts enables innovators to advance their client journey (infographic below) across four commercialization domains for health innovation:
Funding Available: Up to $200,000 for Alberta-based SMEs and up to $600,000 for researchers at post-secondary institutes in Alberta.
Term: Up to 24 months for Alberta-based SMEs and up to 36 months for researchers at post-secondary institutes in Alberta.
The success of this program will be measured in aggregate across the portfolio of projects. While individual project outcomes are expected, all projects should align with the Program Objectives and contribute to the Indicators of Success as outlined below.
A special opportunity is available for applications submitted by November 8, 2024 that relate to improving health for older adults and their caregivers through our partnership with AGE-WELL. See the AICE – Tech for Healthy Aging website for more information and supplementary application requirements.
AICE - Concepts Program Guide
Projects must:
Consult the program guide for full details.
We use a digital application portal to manage all incoming funding requests. There are two important steps to complete: If you’re new to SmartSimple, our application portal, you must first create a user account (i.e., account registration). Then, follow up by registering your application.
PSI application deadline: Opening early April, 2024
Applicants must register intent to apply by completing the non-confidential summary tab of the AICE – Concepts application and saving a draft via SmartSimple, our online application portal.
SME application deadlines:
Applicants must submit Intake Forms at least 4 weeks in advance of the posted application deadline to be considered, and must submit their applications by 4 p.m. MT on the following submission dates:
All applications are reviewed and evaluated to determine fit with the AICE – Concepts Program objectives and intended outcomes. Alberta Innovates employees and external expert reviewers evaluate applications.
We evaluate submitted applications based on the strength of the innovation opportunity, market opportunity, commercialization pathway, project plan, team, and potential economic as well as health impacts.
Alberta Innovates retains the sole right to determine the evaluation process and assessment criteria and does not disclose the names of 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.
Director, Research - Health Innovation
Senior Business Partner, Research - Health Innovation
Registration closed: November 8, 2024 4:00 pm
PSI application deadline: Opening early April, 2024 Applicants must register intent to apply by completing the non-confidential summary tab of the AICE Concepts application and saving a draft via SmartSimple, our online application portal. • Registration window: Opening early April, 2024 • Registration deadline: May 10, 2024 • Full application deadline: July 12, 2024 SME application deadlines: Applicants must submit Intake Forms at least 4 weeks in advance of the posted application deadline to be considered, and must submit their applications by 4:00 pm on the following submission dates: • April 19, 2024 • August 16, 2024 • November 8, 2024
Registration closed: January 31, 2023 12:00 am
Concepts 3.0 closed in January 2023, investing in five Alberta-based researchers and one Alberta-based small-medium enterprise. Total value for the six projects is $4.5 million, with $3 million contributed by Alberta Innovates. Projects will run from February 2023 to January 2026.
Registration closed: January 28, 2022 12:00 am
Concepts 2.0 closed in January 2022, investing in eight leading Alberta-based researchers and their projects. Total value for all eight projects is nearly $7.5 million with $4.5 million contributed by Alberta Innovates. Projects will run from February 2022 to January 2025.
Registration closed: February 25, 2021 12:00 am
The Real-World Evaluation of Cannabis-based medicines intake was designed to address urgent clinical or policy knowledge gaps related to the efficacy and safety of cannabis in real-world settings. Funding was awarded to three leading Alberta-based researchers and their projects. Total value for the three projects is $930,000 with $900,000 contributed from Alberta Innovates. A first of its kind, applicants were provided a unique opportunity to engage with a panel of 12 partners representing industry, academia, clinicians, research facilitators and other health care agents to strengthen full proposals and identify collaborative opportunities. Six new collaborations resulted from 5 strengthening partners. Projects ran from March 2021 to March 2023. MCannabis.Realworld funded projects.
Registration closed: January 29, 2021 12:00 am
Concepts 1.0 closed in early 2021, awarding $5.7 million in funding to eleven leading Alberta-based researchers and their projects. Projects run from March 2021 to June 2024.
Registration closed: February 27, 2020 12:00 am
The exploring Cannabis-Based Medicines and Tools intake was designed to address urgent knowledge gaps related to the efficacy and safety of Cannabis for medical purpose. Five leading Alberta-based researchers and their projects were awarded funding with a total value of $1.7 million, with $1.5 million contributed by Alberta Innovates. Projects ran from March 2020 to March 2022.
September 2024 - October 2025
February 2024 - January 2027
8 projects
February 2022 to January 2025
6 projects
February 2023 to January 2026
11 projects
March 2021 to June 2024
February 26, 2024
An AICE-Concepts-funded project at the University of Alberta is developing a non-invasive way to determine the extent of upper-body injuries.
June 9, 2021
Using the power of technology to solve health care's biggest challenges
Health & Life Sciences
Sectors: Health & Life Sciences
Initiative description: We are advancing digital health technologies to accelerate improvements in the quality and long-term sustainability of our health system and the health of Albertans.