Digital Innovation in Clean Energy (DICE) 2023

Eligibility

Applicants

Post-secondary institutions are eligible. Principal Investigators (PIs) must be eligible to hold funds at the University of Calgary.

Projects

• Projects should clearly address one or more of the following Clean Resources targeted project themes (see DICE Program Guide for more details): Advanced Hydrocarbons; Cleantech; and/or Environmental Innovation.
• The focus for funding will be on technologies and solutions that are currently at a Technology and Solution Readiness Level (TSRL) between 3-7. That is, beyond the conceptual stage but not advanced enough to be commercialized.
• Projects must be completed by October 31, 2025.

Summary

The Digital Innovation in Clean Energy (DICE) Program supports the development of digital technologies that create value and jobs while reducing emissions in the energy sector. This is inclusive of technologies in artificial intelligence and machine learning, blockchain, industrial internet of things, unmanned aerial vehicles (drones), virtual and augmented reality, digital twins, etc. While many of these technologies have multi-sectoral potential, the energy industry represents both a wealth of data to de-risk technologies along with cash flow to create value to the developer and the end user.

The objectives of DICE are to support data-enabled innovation (transforming data into actionable information) and digital tech for business transformation (leveraging technology to sense and measure information across enterprise is changing the way we live and conduct business). The DICE program supports the Alberta Technology and Innovation Strategy (ATIS) research and commercialization priority areas and two of Alberta Innovates’ strategic priorities – adopting artificial intelligence and advancing clean resource technologies.

Funding Considerations

The program normally supports up to 50% of total project costs, with remaining funding from the Applicant and/or other project partners (including cash and in-kind support). Alberta Innovates encourages co-funding of projects with other public funding agencies up to a maximum of 75% of the total project costs. Federal funding agencies (e.g. NSERC, NRCan, etc.) are considered eligible Project Partners.

Webinar

An informational webinar was held on December 11, 2023. The recording is available here.

Submission Process

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.

Full Application

The Full Application, plus approval in the Research Management System (RMS) via a Pre-Award/Application record, must be submitted to the RSO by January 29, 2024 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.

**Required Attachment: Alberta Innovates Work Plan and Budget Workbook (Excel file available within the online application form)

• The PDF generator within the Alberta Innovates online portal will not incorporate Excel files. As such, you must include the Work Plan and Budget Workbook as a separate upload in the RMS record.

Do not submit to the agency until RSO's approval has been granted in RMS. Once this institutional approval 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 February 1, 2024 at 3:00 pm (MT).

Program Resources

• DICE 2023 Program Guide
• Technology and Solution Readiness Level (TSRL) Definitions
• Information Webinar: recording and slide deck
• Alberta Innovates Contact: Bruce Duong, Senior Manager, Recovery Technologies, Bruce.Duong@albertainnovates.ca

Overhead

N/A

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.