Global Research Initiative
in Sustainable Low Carbon Unconventional Resources
Driving Innovation. Fueling results.
For many decades, the University of Calgary (UCalgary) has been a globally leading energy research university with many research and technology outcomes benefitting the petroleum and renewable energy industries. UCalgary’s Global Research Initiative in Sustainable Low Carbon Unconventional Resources (GRI), a $75M Canada First Research Excellence Fund program, is a major energy-focussed solution-centric research and training program motivating active translation of lab-based technology innovations into field-deployable solutions.
Focused on collaborative research, the GRI has created a research hub for discovery, creativity, and innovation in unconventional and renewable energy research. The GRI main research areas are Heavy Oil and Bitumen, Tight Oil and Gas, and Low CO2 Solutions.
About Canada First Research Excellence Fund
The Canada First Research Excellence Fund (CFREF) helps competitively selected Canadian post-secondary institutions turn their key strengths into world-leading innovations.
In September 2016, CFREF awarded the University of Calgary, in partnership with the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT), $75 million to implement the Global Research Initiative in Sustainable Low Carbon Unconventional Resources (GRI), which aims to significantly reduce the carbon footprint of unconventional resource development and contribute to a climate-neutral energy system.
Our Impact
Focused on collaborative research between the world-class innovators form the University of Calgary and international partners, GRI creates a network of global hubs for discovery, creativity and innovation in unconventional energy research. As of February 2025, we have over 300 collaborators, partners and supporting organizations spanning 33 countries with $26M+ in leveraged international funding.
UCalgary Rapid Energy Innovation Kick-Start Awards (UREIKA)
The UCalgary Rapid Energy Innovation Kick-Start Awards (UREIKA) support graduate students and postdoctoral fellows who have innovative ideas to kick-start a small concept or project that has a strong potential of a breakthrough.
UREIKA provides funding for innovative energy-related research and design activities in pre-determined thematic areas. The applicants will need to utilize existing equipment or facilities for their solutions. The timeline of the project is 6 months.
Fueling a Clean Energy Future
A key ingredient to achieving our goals are the highly qualified personnel (HQP) — the students and postdoctoral scholars — who are the lifeblood of these research projects. Their ideas, enthusiasm and passion drive much of what we do as a research-intensive university. Their energy and tireless pursuit of excellence enables us to deliver on our commitment to take our energy research from great to best, to operate ‘not business as usual’, and to make significant impacts in scholarship, training, industry solutions, and contributions to the community.
GRI Artwork Book
This publication is an anthology of the creativity and artistic aptitudes of faculty members, students, postdocs and staff at the University of Calgary.
Please join us on this journey to discover the hidden talents of our
University community.
Contact the GRI Team
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