Advance Program Stream II (NSERC Alliance)

Eligibility

• Applicant Representative (Principal Investigator):
  • must be an NSERC-eligible researcher at an Alberta university at the time of application and when funding is released;
  • must hold an NSERC peer-reviewed grant at the time of application;
  • cannot hold more than one Advance Stream II grant simultaneously;
  • cannot submit more than one application per fiscal year (April 1-March 31).
• Projects:
  • must align with at least one of the emerging technology topics listed in Appendix A of the program guide and a priority focus area listed in Appendix B of the program guide;
  • must be with in a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) range of 2 to 4.

Summary

In partnership with Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), the NSERC Alliance-Alberta Innovates Advance Program invests in projects that, in alignment with Alberta's technology and innovation strategies (ATIS) 2.0, advance discoveries to develop and/or use emerging technologies that can generate economic, environmental, health and social benefits for Albertans and Canadians. Research in the emerging technology topics and the priority focus areas (see program guide) offers transformational promise as it tackles challenges faced by multiple sectors in Alberta. The funding will eventually help to accelerate the technological solutions' entry on the global market as well as their adoption. Their development provides the foundation for job creation and economic diversification into nascent industries in Alberta.

Advance Stream II targets emerging technology in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and Advanced Materials and Manufacturing (AMM) with a focus on the following areas:applied digital and emerging technologies; health, agricultural, and life science innovation; advanced materials and aerospace; and natural resource recovery.

No industry partners are permitted for this program.

This program requires an application submission to both Alberta Innovates and, upon approval, to NSERC. Please become familiar with the program information and guidelines available from both funding sponsors.

• Alberta Innovates: https://albertainnovates.ca/funding/nserc-alliance-alberta-innovates-advance-program/
• NSERC: https://nserc-crsng.canada.ca/en/funding-opportunity/nserc-alberta-innovates-advance-grants-stream-ii
  • see the NSERC program page for the Proposal Template and Technology Transfer Office (TTO) Form

Funding available:

• up to $200,000 from Alberta Innovates over 2 years
• up to $100,000 from NSERC over 2 years

Submission Process

Pre-intake Eligibility Check (optional) - before September 14, 2026

If uncertain about your project's alignment with the program, you have the option to contact Alaine Jacque (Alaine.Jacque@albertainnovates.ca) prior to EOI submission. Alaine can provide you with a pre-intake form if needed.

I. Expression of Interest (EOI)

1. EOIs must be submitted to Research Services (RSO) for institutional approval and mandatory administrative review through the Research Management System (RMS) by September 9, 2026 at 12:00 p.m.
2. Complete a Pre-award/Letter of Intent record in RMS and 'Submit for approvals' (Under Save & Progress) in good time to allow for approvals from your Department Head and/or ADR prior to the RSO internal deadline.
3. Upon review and approval, the PI may submit the EOI to Alberta Innovates.

II. Full Application Submission to Alberta Innovates

1. Applications must be submitted to the RSO for institutional approval and mandatory administrative review through the Research Management System (RMS) by October 7, 2026 at 12:00 p.m.
2. There is no need to create an entirely new Pre-Award/Application record in RMS. Continue with the same RMS number by updating the status of the Pre-Award/Letter of Intent record from the EOI step to 'Invited for full application' (under Save & Progress). The system will generate a Pre-Award/Application record.
3. Complete the Pre-Award/Application record in RMS and 'Submit for approvals' (Under Save & Progress) in good time to allow for approvals from your Department Head and/or ADR prior to the RSO internal deadline.
4. Upon review and approval, the PI may submit the EOI to Alberta Innovates.

III. Full Application Submission to NSERC

1. Applications must be submitted to the RSO for institutional approval and mandatory administrative review through the Research Management System (RMS) by November 9, 2026 at 12:00 p.m.
2. In the NSERC Online System, submit the application so that the status is 'Submitted.'
3. No additional action in RMS is required.
4. Upon review and approval, the RSO will submit the application to NSERC by the deadline.

Overhead

Pre-application deadlines

RSO internal deadline

Pre-application program deadline

Application deadlines

RSO final internal review deadline

Program application deadline

Additional application deadlines

RSO Internal Deadline for NSERC Submission

Program Application Deadline for NSERC Submission

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

Reminder: The sooner the researcher engages with Research Services, the more help we can be!

Contact the following Research Service units for support with:

Projects Involving Indigenous Research:

Support with incorporating wise practices in Indigenous research, community engagement, and Indigenous data management 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.

Knowledge Mobilization, Research Impact Assessment, DORA:

Support for knowledge mobilization/engagement/translation, community partnerships, research impact, responsible research assessment (DORA), and open science, is available through the Knowledge to Impact team.

Applicants can reach out by email to the KI team at knowledge.impact@ucalgary.ca.

For more information and access to resource archives, please visit the KI team webpage.

Research Data Management:

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

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 edi.rso@ucalgary.ca for more information.

Research Security:

The Research Security Division is available to ensure researchers adhere to research security guidelines and policies, including the National Security Guidelines for Research Partnerships (NSGRP) and the policy on Sensitive Technology Research and Affiliations of Concern (STRAC).

Visit the Research Security website to learn more or contact researchsecurity@ucalgary.ca.

Pre-Award Submissions:

RMS: Creating a Pre-Award LOI
RMS: Creating a Pre-Award Application