Agri-Food and Bioindustrial Innovation Program (ABIP) 2024-2025

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.

Focus areas within the scope of this program include:

• Data and digital solutions
• Autonomous systems
• Agricultural biotechnology
• Food processing innovation
• Biofibre utilization
• Adding value to biomass
• Green construction

This program does not fund:

• Bioenergy, biofuel, and biochar applications
• Marketing and/or new agri-food product development

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.

Program Resources

• ABIP Program Guide
• ABIP Program Contact: Virginia Mulligan, Senior Manager, Agri-Food Innovation (Virginia.Mulligan@albertainnovates.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.

1. Intake Form

The 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 (by invitation)

The Full Application, plus approval in the Research Management System (RMS) using a Pre-Award/Application 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.

*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 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.

Overhead

Not applicable. Alberta Innovates does not permit overhead and/or indirect costs.

Application deadlines

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.

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)