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Industry Liaison Office (Research)
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Sector Collaborations
Health & Life Sciences
Energy & Advanced Technologies
Companies partner with UCalgary researchers to:
How to initiate a research partnership through ILO-R
The ILO team creates low friction pathways for companies to access these services in a six step process
Complete the intake form and we will review your request promptly
Meet with an ILO team member to discuss your goals and expectations and qualify for our program
ILO will arrange meetings with relevant experts to identify the right fit for your company’s priorities
Work with ILO and selected experts to scope the project and define research question(s)
With guidance from ILO, your company and the research team will co-create partnership documents such as research agreements, grant proposals and more
The work begins – and ILO remains available to provide support as required
Explore sector specific collaborations
Health and Life Sciences
UCalgary is developing innovative solutions to tackle challenges in health and life sciences, improve outcomes and lead the way in various transformative ways.
Energy and Advanced Technologies
Recognized for its leadership in energy research, UCalgary works with industry partners across the energy sector—from production and infrastructure to emerging technologies and decarbonization—to develop practical solutions with real-world impact. Our collaborative approach makes it easy to access the expertise, resources, and partnerships that support growth and innovation.
Lab Services Incentive Program
LSIP is a collaborative program designed to accelerate the development of innovative, emissions-reducing technologies in Alberta. The program supports connections between startups and small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) and UCalgary, offering access to specialized laboratory facilities and expertise. By subsidizing lab services such as testing, validation, and research support, LSIP helps innovators overcome financial and logistical barriers, enabling faster progress toward commercialization.
Company FAQ
Please review our frequently asked questions about the process of working with our office. If your question isn't answered here, please feel free to contact our team at ilo.research@ucalgary.ca.
An ILO-R team member will respond to your intake form within three business days of submission. As part of the initial response, we will invite you to meet with our team to discuss your company, objectives, and areas of interest.
During this meeting, we will provide an overview of the partnership process and outline the next steps based on your organization’s specific needs and priorities. Timelines can vary depending on the scope and complexity of the project, but our team will work with you to identify the most appropriate pathway and connect you with relevant University of Calgary expertise.
Costs vary depending on the type, scope, and duration of the engagement. For research projects, companies typically contribute 50–100% of project costs. Depending on complexity and timelines, projects generally range from $20,000 to $250,000 and are often completed within six months to three years.
For service contracts, which are typically completed in less than six months, companies are responsible for the full cost of the work. Pricing for many specialized services is available through the University’s Core Labs.
To receive a more detailed estimate tailored to your needs, please complete the intake form. An ILO-R team member will contact you to discuss your objectives and provide guidance on potential costs and available partnership options.
Yes! We welcome inquiries from Canadian small businesses, particularly those based in Calgary.
You do not need to identify a researcher before contacting the ILO-R. Once we understand your company’s needs and priorities, we will introduce you to researchers with aligned expertise.
The University of Calgary operates under a creator-owned IP policy, meaning that researchers and inventors generally own the IP they create.
For industry-sponsored or collaborative research projects, the company and the University researchers discuss and agree on how any IP arising from the project will be managed before the project begins. These discussions may address ownership, licensing, commercialization rights, and other IP-related considerations, ensuring that expectations are clear and aligned for all parties from the outset.
Yes. The ILO-R can help companies maximize the impact of their research investments by identifying and accessing a range of funding programs that support industry–university collaboration. Funding opportunities are often project-specific and may depend on factors such as the nature of the research, the project scope, and company eligibility.
As part of the project development process, our team will discuss potential funding sources and help determine which programs may be the best fit for your organization and research objectives.
Yes. We understand that confidentiality is a critical consideration for many industry partners. Confidentiality provisions are discussed, negotiated, and formalized through appropriate agreements before a collaborative project begins.
These agreements help protect sensitive business information while enabling productive collaboration between the company and University researchers. Our team works with partners to establish clear confidentiality terms that support both the project objectives and the needs of all parties involved.