Strategic Networking and Development (SND) Grants 2025-2026

Eligibility

Applicants: 

Post-secondary institutions are eligible to apply.

Projects:

To be considered for funding, projects must have a focus on emerging technologies development or utilization. Please refer to the program website for a list of emerging technologies.

Projects should create or strengthen collaborations and connections within the innovation ecosystem, and/or provide experiential and intrapreneurial/entrepreneurial learning opportunities with a technology focus/in a tech setting. Examples of eligible activities include but are not limited to:

• focused networking events convening two or more groups including academia, industry, government and/or community stakeholders within an emerging technology topic area;
• a workshop organized by university researcher(s) around a specific area of emerging technology for further development/adoption involving other institutions, industry end-users and/or students;
• team-based science-focused experiential learning opportunities (typically Post-Secondary or High School participants);
• hackathons and coding contests;
• symposia showcasing student capabilities and skillsets to prospective employers;
• intrapreneurial/entrepreneurial training for students/youth.

Summary

The Strategic Networking and Development (SND) Program provides funding to support high impact networking, workshops, gatherings, competitions, educational and experiential programming, and events in emerging technologies. The program aims to support activities that connect Alberta's tech talent and expertise; explore Alberta-based collaborations between and within members of academia, industry, community, and government; provide experiential learning opportunities for students (K-12 and post-secondary) in STEM, especially within emerging technologies; and/or helping students/innovators to develop entrepreneurial thinking and skillsets in a tech setting.

Submission Process

This is a continuous intake competition.

There is a two-stage process consisting of an Intake Form/Expression of Interest (EOI) and Full Proposal, which is by invitation only. RSO review and RMS submissions are not required for the EOI stage. Only the Full Proposal stage of this competition will be part of the Research Management System (RMS), and approvals will be obtained electronically. 

1. Intake Form

You must log into the Alberta Innovates online portal to complete the Intake Form/EOI. RSO review and RMS approval are not required at this stage. 

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.

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

• SND Program Guide
• SND Program Contact: Chao Lipuka, Chao.Lipuka@albertainnovates.ca

Overhead

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

Pre-application deadlines

RSO internal deadline

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  

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 Application