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Home > Funding Programs > NSERC Alliance – Alberta Innovates Advance Program
Emerging Technology Development funding and commercialization pathway support for Alberta post-secondary researchers advancing early-stage discoveries toward validated market opportunities.
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The Advance Program helps close the gap between early discovery and commercial technology. Advance grants support Alberta researchers to develop their new discoveries and emerging technology concepts into early-stage technology solutions (TRL 2 to TRL 4), toward an identified high-potential market opportunity. In addition, funds provided connect researchers with commercialization support- knowledge, people and processes- to increase innovation readiness level and enable pathways to market, including new venture creation.
In alignment with Alberta’s Technology and Innovation Strategy 2.0, the program invests in projects that develop and use emerging technologies with the potential to generate economic, environmental, health and social benefits for Albertans and Canadians.
Projects must align with an Alberta Innovates Innovation Priority Area in Appendix A of the Program Guide.
NSERC-Matched: A cost-matched funding stream in partnership with NSERC open to eligible researchers at Alberta universities currently holding an NSERC peer-reviewed grant. In this scenario Alberta Innovates provides up to $100,000 per year, and NSERC matches at a ratio of 50%, up to $50,000 per year for a maximum two-year project.
Alberta Innovates Direct: For eligible researchers at Alberta’s publicly-funded post-secondaries whose projects align with the program but do not have an NSERC-matched route available, Alberta Innovates provides up to $100,000 per year for a maximum two-year project.
New for 2026-27: every new Advance award granted will include an additional $20,000 in commercialization pathway support.
Alberta Innovates Direct Intake
NSERC-matched Intake
Research funding:
Up to $100,000 per year, to a maximum of $200,000 over two years
Commercialization Pathway Support: Every award includes an additional fixed $20,000, paid directly to the applicant’s institution innovation unit for support such as market validation, intellectual property strategy and investor-readiness coaching. This is separate from the research award.
Due date: February 3, 2027 4:00 pm
Due date: November 9, 2026 4:00 pm
To qualify for funding all Projects must:
If you have determined your project aligns with program objectives and requirements:
Alberta Innovates’ review process leverages internal and external subject-matter and business expertise to evaluate applications submitted. Applications are evaluated on criteria including market opportunity, project feasibility (technical, plan and team), and impacts and benefits to Alberta, with major emphasis on market opportunity and potential impacts. At the EOI stage, applications are ranked and only a limited number are invited to submit a full proposal. NSERC-Match applications are also reviewed by NSERC. Meeting all criteria does not guarantee funding.
Business Partner, Emerging Technology and Talent
The Advance Program provides emerging technology development funding and commercialization pathway support for Alberta post-secondary researchers advancing early-stage discoveries toward validated market opportunities.
Application Deadline: February 3, 2027 4:00 pm MDT
EOI deadline: December 4, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. Mountain Time. Full proposal invitations: By January 11, 2026 Full proposal deadline: February 3, 2027, at 4:00 p.m. Mountain Time.
Through this program, we offer funding to support Alberta university researchers in advancing discoveries to develop emerging technologies.
Application Deadline: November 9, 2026 4:00 pm MDT
Advance – Stream II: AI EOI Deadline: September 14, 2026 AI Full Application Deadline: November 2, 2026