Future Fuels Challenge 2026

Eligibility

Universities are eligible

Summary

The Future Fuels Challenge is a flagship initiative under the Fuel Innovation Fund, administered by Emissions Reduction Alberta (ERA), designed to accelerate the development and deployment of innovative low-emission fuel technologies. This funding call supports projects that deliver measurable greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions, enable the commercialization of novel solutions, and strengthen Canada’s clean energy economy. The Challenge focuses on technologies that can significantly reduce the lifecycle carbon intensity of transportation fuels and contribute to Canada’s Clean Fuel Regulations objectives. The program is not technology or process-prescriptive.

Applicants may request between $1 million and $10 million per project, with funding covering up to 50% of eligible expenses.

See the Future Fuels Challenge program page for guidelines and additional information and guidelines.

For application development support, please contact the Strategic Initiatives and Research Intelligence team (siri@ucalgary.ca).

Webinar

ERA will hold an informational webinar on May 4, 2026, 10:00-11:00 a.m. (MT). Register here.

Submission Process

This is a two-stage process consisting of Expression of Intent (EOI) and Full Application. Both stages will be part of the Research Management System (RMS), and approvals will be obtained electronically.

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 June 5, 2026 at 12:00 p.m.
2. Complete a Pre-Award/Letters of Intent record in 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 RSO internal deadline.
3. Upon RSO approval, the PI may submit the EOI to the funding sponsor.

Full Application

1. Applications must be submitted to Research Services (RSO) for institutional approval and mandatory administrative review through RMS by August 17, 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 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 academic 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 RSO approval, the PI may submit the application to the funding sponsor.

Overhead

15% as stated in the Fuel Innovation Fund Eligible Expenses and Cost Guidelines.

Pre-application deadlines

RSO internal deadline

Pre-application program deadline

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