Space-Defence Technologies Alberta (SDTech_AB) Call For Proposals

Eligibility

•The lead Principal Investigator (Project Lead) must be from one of the institutional partners on the SDTech_AB Major Innovation Fund (University of Calgary, University of Alberta, University of Lethbridge, Athabasca University, Northern Alberta Institution of Technology) 

•Project leads may submit up to 2 project proposals under this round of project intakes 

•Projects must end (i.e. have spent all SDTech_AB funds) by March 31, 2027 at the latest 

•Projects must be at least 6 months in duration •Projects are strongly encouraged to include Alberta-based industry 

•Projects are strongly encouraged to include federal or international government partners 

•Projects are strongly encouraged to bring matching funds (cash and/or in-kind contributions) 

•Eligible projects must clearly demonstrate pathways to advance technology readiness 

•Eligible expenses are restricted to those incurred by SDTech_AB partner institutions. 

Funds cannot be transferred to industry partners and/or outside of the SDTech_AB network. Funds will be transferred to the lead partner institution’s Research Services Office for funding of selected projects.

Summary

Space-Defence Technologies Alberta (SDTech_AB) is a pan-Alberta innovation ecosystem that supports the development and delivery of space and defence technologies. SDTech_AB aims to identify disruptive, next generation technologies and accelerate them towards tangential outcomes for Alberta’s societal and economic benefit.  

SDTech_AB is currently calling for proposals that offer transformative, high-impact technology/solution-focused projects with the potential for significant impact. Up to $100,000 in funding is available per project. 

Interested applicants should review the supplemental materials and complete the application form below:

• Application Form
• Evaluation Criteria
• SDTech_AB Pillars & Themes

The application deadline for this intake is noon (12pm MDT) on June 19, 2026. 

Applicants do not need to have previously been involved with the SDTech_AB Major Innovation Fund (MIF) to apply. The project intake is open to researchers who hold positions at any of the MIF’s institutional partners: University of Calgary, University of Alberta, University of Lethbridge, Athabasca University, and the Northern Alberta Institution of Technology. Projects must be researcher-led, but partnerships with industry and end-users are highly encouraged.

Questions can be directed to sdtechab@ucalgary.ca 

Application deadlines

Program application deadline

General Instructions:

Do not alter the application template text. 

One (1) page of figures/graphics may be submitted with the proposal. 

Please submit your application as a single PDF document via email to sdtechab@ucalgary.ca by noon (12pm MDT) on June 19, 2026.

Project proposals will be evaluated based on their potential to achieve the goals of SDTech_AB’s mandate under the terms of the Government of Alberta’s Major Innovation Fund. During the review process, the review committee evaluates all project proposals based on the following criteria. Applicants are encouraged to consider these criteria when developing their proposals. The prompts and instructions found in the project proposal template provide additional detail on the specific considerations within each criterion. This is a competitive process, i.e., proposals are evaluated on their absolute merits as well as in comparison to the set of proposals received. Evaluations are conducted by a team of subject matter experts, overseen by SDTech_AB’s review committee. All final funding decisions will be made by SDTech_AB’s review Committee.