Advancing Hydrogen — Competition 2

Eligibility

Projects must have a starting Technology Readiness Level (TRL) between 3 and 6 (refer to TRL table in the Program Guide for definitions). For projects at a higher TRL level, see the Emissions Reduction Alberta Accelerating Hydrogen Challenge.

Proposed projects should have a clear and direct pathway to creating tangible impacts in Alberta. Projects should be able to show direct measurable benefits, or to quantify indirect benefits, in at least one of the following areas:

• hydrogen production
• transmission/transportation/dispensing
• storage (mobile, stationary, and subsurface);
• end use (heating, mobility, power, industrial processes); and
• export

Summary

The Hydrogen Centre of Excellence (HCOE), Emissions Reduction Alberta (ERA), and Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) are collaborating to provide a one-window approach for applicants to access funding for projects featuring development, prototyping, piloting, scale-up, and demonstration of innovative hydrogen technologies in two parallel funding Competitions. Via submission of a single proposal, applicants will be considered for either HCOE/NRCan or ERA funding in separate but parallel funding competitions. In general, proposals are invited for development and demonstration of technology solutions across the hydrogen value chain from production to end use, including critical infrastructure and enablers for the hydrogen economy. Funding dispersed via these competitions will be directed towards developing projects that support the objectives of the Alberta Natural Gas Strategy, the Alberta Hydrogen Roadmap, the HCOE targets, and the shared mandates of Alberta Innovates and ERA.

There will be an informational webinar on August 16, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. (MT). Register here.

Funding Considerations

Alberta Innovates will fund up to 75% of the total project costs. The remaining 25% must come from the applicant, project partners, and/or other funding agencies as cash and/or in-kind contributions.

Submission Process

There is a two-stage process consisting of an Intake Form and Full Application, which is by invitation only. Both stages of this competition will be part of the Research Management System (RMS), and approvals will be obtained electronically. Research Funding Application Approvals (RFAA) forms are not required as approvals are collected electronically in RMS.

1. Intake Form (EOI)

Access to the Intake Form is via the Alberta Innovates SmartSimple portal. The Intake Form, plus approval in the Research Management System (RMS) using a Pre-Award/Letter of Intent record, must be submitted to RSO by September 21, 2023 at 12:00 pm. Please be sure to select 'Submitted for approval' (under Save & Progress) in RMS in good time to allow for approvals from your Department Head and/or ADR prior to the RSO internal deadline. Consult your department and faculty for more information on their approval processes and timelines.

Once you have received RSO approval, you must submit the intake form by September 26, 2023 at 5:00 pm (MT) using the Alberta Innovates SmartSimple portal.

2. Full Application (by invitation)

If invited, the Full Application, plus approval in the Research Management System (RMS) via a Pre-Award/Application record,* must be submitted to the RSO by November 14, 2023 at 12:00 pm. Please be sure to select 'Submitted for approval' (under Save & Progress) in RMS in good time to allow for approvals from your Department Head and/or ADR prior to the RSO internal deadline. Consult your department and faculty for more information on their approval processes and timelines.

*Creation of a new Pre-Award/Application record in RMS is not necessary. You can automatically generate an Application record from the existing LOI record by changing the status of the LOI record to 'Invited to full application' (under Save & Progress).

Do not submit to the agency until RSO's approval has been granted in RMS. Once the institutional signature has been obtained, the Principal Investigator will receive an automated message from RMS to their @ucalgary email address. You can then proceed with submitting your application via the Alberta Innovates SmartSimple portal by November 18, 2023 at 5:00 pm (MT).

Resources

• Advancing Hydrogen — Competition 2 Program Guide
• Webinar Slides and Recording
•  Alberta Innovates contact: David Van Den Assem, Director, Hydrogen Centre of Excellence (David.vandenassem@albertainnovates.ca)

Overhead

N/A

Pre-application deadlines

RSO internal deadline

Pre-application program deadline

Application deadlines

RSO detailed review deadline

RSO final internal review deadline

Program application deadline

NOTE: Consult your Faculty Associate Dean (Research) (ADR) regarding Faculty-specific deadlines and submission processes.

Principal Investigators: Complete a Research Management System (RMS) record, including a copy of your complete application, and submit this for approvals in RMS.

Postdocs, students, and trainees: For fellowships and externally-sponsored research training awards or opportunities, you must complete the Research Funding Application Approval (RFAA) Trainee PDF form, and submit it, along with a complete copy of the application, to Research Services at rsotrainee@ucalgary.ca. Trainees should not use RMS at this time.

Approvals: The University of Calgary requires that all funding applications be approved prior to submission. Approval requires signatures via either RMS or the RFAA Trainee form, in the following order:

• Principal Investigator
• Department Head
• Faculty ADR/Dean
• Research Services (on behalf of the Vice-President Research)

Read the Meaning of Grant Signatures policy to understand what your approval means. Please see the agency guidelines for details about which signatures are required on your application, as it may differ from internal requirements.

Late submissions: Late submissions will only be accepted in cases of medical or family emergencies, or other exceptional circumstances. If you submit your RMS record to Research Services after the internal deadline has passed, you must secure additional approvals. Please read: Late Applications Process.