Agri-Food and Bioindustrial Innovation Program (ABIP) 2023-2024

Eligibility

Applicants

Post-secondary institutions are eligible.

Projects

Projects that will be researched, piloted, demonstrated, and/or implemented in Alberta with long-term Alberta impact will be prioritized. Projects must be between Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 3 and 7 at the start of the project (higher start-level TRLs may be considered on a case-by-case basis).

Summary

The Agri-Food and Bioindustrial Innovation Program (ABIP) supports the development and advancement of technologies that increase productivity, enhance competitiveness, boost the value of agriculture and forestry commodities, and lower greenhouse gas emissions. The program aims to build on the existing strengths of Alberta’s agri-food and forestry sectors and to develop new opportunities and markets.

The objectives of the ABIP are to:

• sustain, grow and optimize productivity and reduce the cost of production of Alberta’s agri-food and bioindustrial industries;
• add value to enhanced and new commodities in the agri-food and bioindustrial sectors; and
• increase environmental sustainability and social benefits for Albertans.

Funding Considerations

The ABIP provides up to $500,000 per project and up to 75% of total project costs, with the remaining funding (cash or in-kind) coming from the applicant, project partners or other funding agencies. Co-funding with other funding agencies is highly encouraged, and the program does not limit the amount of stacking towards other contributions.

Collaboration is highly encouraged. Projects that demonstrate formal partnerships will receive additional, favourable consideration. It is strongly encouraged that letters of support and/or confirmation of contributions from partners accompany the application.

Submission Process

The application process consists of two stages: an Intake Form and the Full Application (by invitation).

Note: This is a continuous intake program. Full applications, plus approval in the Research Management System (RMS), must be submitted to the RSO at least 3 business days ahead of the date you intend to submit the application package to Alberta Innovates.

1. Intake Form

You must log into the Alberta Innovates SmartSimple portal to complete the ABIP Intake Form. RSO review and RMS approval are not required at this stage.

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 at least 3 business days ahead of the date you intend to submit the application to Alberta Innovates. 

• Required uploads in RMS:
  • PDF version of application form (including the attachments)
  • Alberta Innovates Workplan and Budget Workbook (Excel file)

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. 

A Research Funding Application Approvals (RFAA) form is not required as approvals are collected electronically in RMS.

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.

Resources

• ABIP Program Guide
• Alberta Innovates Contacts:
  • Agri-Food Innovation: Virginia Mulligan, PhD (Virginia.Mulligan@albertainnovates.ca)
  • Bioindustrial Materials: Rebecca Bruce (Rebecca.Bruce@albertainnovates.ca)

Overhead

N/A

Application deadlines

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.