Advance Program Stream II (General - NSERC Alliance) 2024-2025

Eligibility

Note: Partners are not permitted in this program.

Principal Investigator (PI)/Applicant Representative:

• PIs must hold an NSERC peer-reviewed grant when they apply and meet NSERC eligibility criteria when applying and when funding is released.
• PIs cannot hold more than one Advance Stream II (General) grant simultaneously, and only one application per PI is permitted per fiscal year (April 1 to March 31).
• Current Advance Stream II grant holders may be eligible to apply for Stream I (Discovery Grants) funding if they meet the Stream I eligibility requirements.

Projects:

• The 2024-2025 grant cycle targets the following four emerging technology research topics under the Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) category (see Appendix B of the Program Guide for descriptions of these topics):
  • Internet of Things (IoT)/Machine-to-machine systems,
  • advanced data management and analytics (Artificial Intelligence and machine learning),
  • cybersecurity, and
  • quantum computing.
• Technology being developed must be within Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 2 to 4. No technologies at later stages will not be considered.
• Project must meet NSERC's eligibility criteria in addition to the objectives of the Advance Program.
• Project must begin by February 3, 2025.

Summary

The Alberta Innovates (AI) Advance Program is a partnership between Alberta Innovates and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC). Through this program, AI invests in projects that, in alignment with Alberta’s technology and innovation strategies, advance discoveries to develop emerging technologies that can generate economic, environmental, health, and social benefits for Albertans and Canadians. 

Project funding is intended to help bridge the gap between academic research and technology validation (within TRLs 2-4). Projects will advance an idea toward developing a technological solution with an envisioned future market opportunity. Projects could later lead to technology transfer activities and commercialization post-grant.

Stream II application inquiries (pre-intake stage) will be received on a continuous intake basis until application capacity for the current fiscal year has been reached.

It is strongly recommended that applicants demonstrate the practice of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) adequately in their proposed project.

Funding Details

Advance Stream II (General) is a joint funding opportunity between AI Advance and NSERC Alliance grants. The maximum amount is $150,000 per year for up to 2 years. AI will contribute a maximum of $100,000 per year. NSERC will match the AI contribution at a ratio of 50% to a maximum of $50,000 per year. Please refer to both the AI Advance and the NSERC Alliance (AI Advance) program websites for additional details.

Program Resources

• AI Advance-NSERC Alliance Program Guide
• AI Advance program information
• NSERC Alliance (AI Advance) program information
• Merit Indicators for Advance Stream II
• Supplemental Instructions for Advance Stream II
• Application process flowchart for Advance Stream II
• AI Program Contact: Susie Li, Susie.Li@albertainnovates.ca
• NSERC Contact: Irene R. Mikawoz, Irene.Mikawoz@nserc-crsng.gc.ca

Submission Process

There is a two-stage process consisting of an Intake Form and Full Proposal, 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.

This is a continuous intake competition. Intake Forms and Full Applications, plus approval in the Research Management System (RMS), must be submitted to the RSO at least 3 business days (at 12:00 pm) ahead of submission to the funding agency.

Please be sure to carefully review the application process information found on both the AI Advance website and the NSERC Alliance (AI Advance) website.

You must first contact the Advance program manager, Susie Li (Susie.Li@albertainnovates.ca). The Alberta Innovates-NSERC application process consists of three stages: the Post-Secondary Investments & Emerging Technologies (PSIET) Intake Form, submission of the Full Application to Alberta Innovates (by invitation), and submission of the Full Application to NSERC (upon approval from Alberta Innovates).

The NSERC Alliance program falls within the scope of the Government of Canada's Policy on Sensitive Technology Research and Affiliations of Concern. Please refer to the Tri-agency guidance on the STRAC Policy to understand how this policy may impact your grant application. Please reach out directly to researchsecurity@ucalgary.ca for additional information and help.

1. PSIET Intake Form

The PSIET Intake Form, plus approval in the Research Management System (RMS) using a Pre-Award/Letter of Intent record, must be submitted to RSO at least 3 business days (at 12:00 pm) ahead of submission to Alberta Innovates. 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.

Do not submit to Alberta Innovates 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 online portal.

2. Full Application Submission to Alberta Innovates (by invitation)

Note: This stage of the application process requires that you complete the NSERC Alliance Form 101 in the NSERC Online System and download the draft PDF version for inclusion with the AI Advance application form. Do not submit the NSERC application at this stage. 

If invited by Alberta Innovates, the full AI Advance 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 package to Alberta Innovates. 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.

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 online portal.

3. Full Application Submission to NSERC (if approved by Alberta Innovates)

Note: No additional RMS approvals are needed at this stage. We will utilize the same RMS record created for the submission to Alberta Innovates

If approved by Alberta Innovates in the previous stage, you may proceed with submission of the Alliance application to NSERC, where Alberta Innovates has been added as a joint call funding partner. Once you submit the application in the NSERC Online System, please notify Katie Cupello (katie.cupello@ucalgary.ca) in the Research Services Office (RSO) at least 3 business days ahead of the date you intend for NSERC to receive the application. The RSO will then conduct a final review of the application and perform the final submission to NSERC.

Overhead

Not applicable for both Alberta Innovates and NSERC.

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.

RESOURCES 

Support for projects involving Indigenous Research: 

Support with the development of your grant application is available through the Indigenous Research Support Team (IRST). Applicants can reach out by email to IRST at IRST@ucalgary.ca in advance of the RSO internal deadline. For more information about IRST, please visit the IRST webpage. 

Support for Knowledge Engagement: 

Support for knowledge mobilization/engagement/translation, community partnerships, and responsible research assessment (DORA) is available through the Knowledge Engagement Team. Applicants can reach out by email to the KE team at knowledge.engagement@ucalgary.ca. For more information, please visit the KE team webpage. 

Support for Research Data Management: 

For information on research data management plans, processes, or best practices for your research program, please contact research.data@ucalgary.ca OR research.data@ucalgary.libanswers.com. 

Support for EDI in Research: 

RSO can provide resources and support to research teams on the integration of equitable and inclusive practices in research design and research practice. Contact Jaya.Dixit@ucalgary.ca for more information. 

Support for Research Security: 

The Research Security Division is available to assist researchers adhere to research security guidelines and policies, including the National Security Guidelines for Research Partnerships (NSGRP) and the new policy on Sensitive Technology Research and Affiliations of Concern (STRAC). Visit the Research Security website to learn more or contact researchsecurity@ucalgary.ca.  

Reminder: The sooner the researcher engages with RSO units, the more help we can be! 

RMS: 

Creating a Pre-Award LOI

Creating a Pre-Award Application (do not create a new Application record if you have an existing LOI record for the same competition)