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Digital Innovation in Clean Energy (DICE)

The Digital Innovation in Clean Energy (DICE) program supports the development of technology that creates jobs in the digital economy, reduces energy sector emissions, and improves the efficiency of energy production.

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Overview
Funding History

Program at a Glance

Business Area: Advanced Hydrocarbons

Priority Area(s): Supports development of technology that creates jobs in the digital economy, reduces energy sector emissions, and improves the efficiency of energy production.

Program Guide: Digital Innovation in Clean Energy (DICE) 3.0 - Program Guide

Eligibility

Alberta-based: No

Organization Type: Academic Institutions & Researchers
Government or Public Entity
Multi-National Enterprise
Not-for-Profit
Post-Secondary Students
Small to Medium Enterprise

Overview

The Digital Innovation in Clean Energy (DICE) program supports the development of digital technologies that create value and jobs while reducing emissions in the energy sector. This is inclusive of technologies in artificial intelligence and machine learning, blockchain, industrial internet of things, unmanned aerial vehicles (drones), virtual and augmented reality, digital twins, etc. While many of these technologies have multi-sectoral potential, the energy industry represents both a wealth of data to de-risk technologies along with cash flow to create value to the developer and the end user.

The Digital Innovation in Clean Energy (DICE) Open Call 3.0 builds on two successful funding competitions. To date, the Digital Innovation in Clean Energy (DICE) program has supported 30 projects completed between March 1, 2020, and August 31, 2023. A total Alberta Innovates funding contribution of $6.1 MM was leveraged 3.3 times for a total project value $26.2 MM for Alberta’s economy.

Project summaries and final reports for completed projects can be found on the Alberta Innovates project library linked here.

The TSRL definitions to be used under this competition are provided in the Resources section below and linked here.

Program Webinar

There was a free, 1-hour Digital Innovation in Clean Energy (DICE) III program webinar on Monday, December 11, 2023, from 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM MST. The session involved a formal presentation, followed by a question and answer session. Click here view the recorded webinar.

Click here to view the accompanying webinar slides.

Eligibility

Funding is open to all categories of lead applicant including technology developers, industry, industrial associations, small and medium-sized enterprises, research and development (R&D) organizations, post-secondary institutions, municipalities, not-for-profit organizations, government research labs, individuals and others, who are advancing technology development within a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) range of 3-7.

Applicants are not required to be based in Alberta, but must demonstrate a clear value proposition for the Province and be able to clearly demonstrate alignment to the program area priorities.

Successful applicants must be legally able to execute the Investment Agreement.

How To Apply

Review the Digital Innovation in Clean Energy Program Guide
Register on SmartSimple, the online application portal.
Complete and submit the Detailed Proposal on SmartSimple.
Wait for your Detailed Proposal to be reviewed to determine a funding recommendation based on the program timeline below.

For more details on eligibility and the intake process, consult the Program Guide.

Evaluation Process

During the review process, Alberta Innovates leverages internal staff with subject-matter and business expertise and external reviewers to evaluate applications submitted.

Proposed projects will be evaluated against criteria in three major categories: Innovation; Execution; and Impacts. The considerations for each criterion are detailed in the SmartSimple online application form.