Drilling Technology Challenge

Eligibility

Universities are eligible to apply

Summary

Emissions Reduction Alberta (ERA) is investing up to $35 million to accelerate the development and commercialization of innovative drilling technologies. This investment will help advance emerging opportunities in geothermal energy, carbon capture and storage (CCS), critical minerals extraction, oil and gas, and more, while reducing costs and emissions associated with resource access and extraction. This call is seeking transformative opportunities, novel technologies and solutions in the prototype testing, development, piloting, demonstration, and implementation stages of readiness that improve the performance of the drilling and completion process in terms of cost, speed, performance, energy use/emissions, environmental impacts, and other considerations. Applicants must demonstrate how the proposed technology or application represents an advancement over current technology for drilling in Alberta.

See ERA's program page for eligibility criteria, application guidelines, templates, and webinar slides.

UCalgary Submission Process

This is a single stage competition.

1. Complete the application using ERA's templates and online portal (https://grant-manager.com/erims). The final internal deadline for submission of your application to Research Services is January 26, 2026 at 12:00 p.m.
   • Ensure your application is final and complete as Research Services will not review drafts at this point.
2. Complete the Pre-Award/Application record in the Research Management System (RMS) and “Submit for academic approvals” (Under Save & Progress) in good time to allow for approvals from your Department Head and/or ADR prior to the Research Services deadline. Consult your department and faculty for more information on their approval processes and timelines. Ensure you receive all required approvals before January 26, 2026 at 12:00 p.m.
   • Your application will not be considered submitted and will not be reviewed until the RMS academic approvals have been received.
3. Once Research Services has reviewed the application and final institutional approval has been granted via RMS, the Principal Investigator submits the application in ERA's online portal.

As an optional service, you may submit your application to Research Services for a detailed review. Research Services must receive your complete RMS approvals record and ERA application by January 15 at 4:00 p.m. 

• The detailed administrative review includes checking for eligibility, UCalgary commitments and risk, compliance with program guidelines, completeness of application, and the opportunity for feedback.
• The basic administrative review involves a minimal check for eligibility, UCalgary commitment and risk. Applications received after January 15 will receive a basic administrative review.

Application support will be provided by Mike Blough and the VPR Strategic Initiatives team (siri@ucalgary.ca).

Research Services contact: Katie Cupello (katie.cupello@ucalgary.ca)

Overhead

15%

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.

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