Land and Biodiversity Program

This program funds projects that reduce the impact of natural resource development on the land and environment, and maintain or improve biodiversity in Alberta.

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Program at a Glance

Program Status: Active
Strategic Initiative: Environmental Innovation
Business Area: Environmental Innovation
Priority Area(s): Ensuring that natural resource development operations and practices are sustainable.

Eligibility

Program Status: Active
Alberta-based: No
Organization Type: Academic Institutions & Researchers
Government or Public Entity
Individual or Sole Proprietor
Multi-National Enterprise
Not-for-Profit
Small to Medium Enterprise

Overview

The Land and Biodiversity program works to ensure that natural resource development operations and practices are sustainable. It includes subprograms related to Environmental Monitoring, Oil Sands Tailings remediation and restoration, climate adaptation and a new initiative on abandoned well reclamation.

 The program is positioned to support: 

  1. That land reclamation is equal to or better than the rate of land disturbance; and  
  2. That biodiversity in Alberta is maintained or enhanced.  

Types of projects we are looking for:

If you are innovating a way to:

  • Avoid or minimize industrial footprint through development and adoption of new technologies, including application of AI/ML, digital solutions. 
  • Improve remediation, reclamation, or restoration best practices that reduce the environmental impact of: 
    • Upstream and downstream oil, gas and coal 
    • Renewable energy 
    • Forestry & agriculture 
    • Mining  
  • Reduce environmental emissions of GHGs and support carbon sequestration through nature-based solutions  
  • Improve conservation of biodiversity to: 
    • Protect threatened ecosystems and species of concern 
    • Promote climate change adaptation/resilience 
    • Manage/control invasive species 
    • Integrate Indigenous knowledge 
    • Advance development of environmental monitoring and modelling tools and technologies 

Open Intakes

Land and Biodiversity Program - Intake

Due date: Continuous

More details

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.

For full details of eligibility criteria, consult the Clean Resources Continuous Intake Program Guide.

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

How To Apply

  1. Contact a Clean Resources Project Advisor, listed below, to determine if project scope meets the requirements.
  2. Register on SmartSimple, the online application portal.
  3. Complete and submit the Intake Form on SmartSimple.
  4. Wait for your Intake Form to be reviewed to determine if the proposed proejct will be invited to submit a Detailed Proposal.

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

If you have determined that your project meets our criteria, please contact a Project Advisor before submitting your Intake Form.

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.

Support Resources

Contact

Dallas Johnson, PhD

Director, Land and Biodiversity


Open and Upcoming Intakes

Land and Biodiversity Program - Intake

We use the Clean Resources Continuous Intake Process to assess projects for funding eligibility.  

Funded Projects

View All Projects

Advancing Native Habitat Recovery and Improving Carbon Sequestration

Lethbridge Polytechnique

Jun 1, 2024 – May 31, 2028

Automated Wildfire Monitoring: AI-Enabled Drone Surveillance

Petroleum Technology Advisory Council

Jun 1, 2024 – Jul 31, 2025

In Situ Influence on Wetland Ecosystem Processes

Athabasca University

May 1, 2024 – Apr 30, 2027

Grassland Ecosystem Services and Biodiversity Market Pilot

Alberta Biodiversity Monitoring Institute