Ecosystem Development Partnership (EDP) Program 2024-2025

Eligibility

Applicants:

The program is open to post-secondary institutions.

Qualified applicants are those focused on:

• Providing communities, services and supports for inventors and entrepreneurs traversing the client journey.
• Building capacity, platforms and/or networks.

Projects:

This program is not meant to help individual applicants directly. Instead, its purpose is to support innovators in Alberta and promote collaboration and opportunities within the ecosystem. The program does not provide support for research projects, sponsorships, or product development projects at companies or post-secondary institutions.

Alberta-wide initiatives are preferred. Regional initiatives and gaps should be addressed with your local regional innovation network.

Summary

The Ecosystem Development Partnership (EDP) Program aims to enhance the research and innovation ecosystem in Alberta. By working together to converge services and initiatives, we will foster provincial strengths, new industries and enhance value throughout the entire system and its operations.

The EDP Program is focused on the following priority areas:

• Health Innovation;
• Entrepreneur Ecosystems;
• Agri-food Innovation;
• Technology Innovation Hubs; and
• Clean Energy.

Funding Considerations

Funding will be provided for up to 3 years. The funding amount for individual projects is based on the outcomes and quality of the proposed project. Applicant contributions are not required for the program. However, additional consideration will be given to applicants where it is demonstrated that the applicant contributes cash or in-kind funding or leverages funding from other sources.

Submission Process

There is a two-stage process consisting of an Intake Form/Expression of Interest (EOI) 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 Alberta Innovates.

1. Intake Form

The Intake Form/EOI, plus approval in the Research Management System (RMS) using a Pre-Award/Letter of Intent record, must be submitted to RSO by 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.

Program Resources

• EDP Program Guide
• EDP Program Contact: Dayna Misener, Business Partner, Entrepreneurial Investments, edpinquiries@albertainnovates.ca

Overhead

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

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 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 Erin.OToole@ucalgary.ca for more information.

Support for Research Security:

The new Research Security Division is available to offer guidance and support on safeguarding research and ensuring that principles of research security are upheld while conducting leading edge research. Learn more on their webpage or contact researchsecurity@ucalgary.ca.

RMS: Creating a Pre-Award Letter of Intent