Agriculture and Environment Program 2026-2027

Eligibility

Post-secondary institutions are eligible. The Applicant Representative (Principal Investigator) must be an eligible project holder according to UCalgary policies.

Projects must advance technology development within a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) range of 3-7.

Summary

The Agriculture and Environment (AE) business unit actively assists researchers, innovators, entrepreneurs, and industry clients to accelerate technology development and deployment, helping companies expand their businesses and competitiveness. Additionally, AE supports applied research and knowledge translation at post-secondary institutions and other organizations with sightlines to advance environmental sustainability through application of knowledge to support improved policy and best practice. Agriculture and Environment encompasses three programs (each with its own focus areas):

1. Agriculture and Food Innovation
2. Bioindustrial and Circular Innovation
3. Environmental Innovation

To apply to any of the programs above, please refer to the Agriculture and Environment Continuous Intake Application Guide. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis unless intakes are paused or closed.

Before submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI) form, you must contact an Agriculture and Environment Project Advisor as listed on program's webpage (linked above).

Funding Considerations

Alberta Innovates provides up to 50% of total project costs to a maximum of $750,000 per project. Project funding from the applicant and/or project partners may consist of cash or in-kind contributions, with a strong preference for some level of cash support for all projects. The AE program imposes no strict limitation on the stacking of contributions from multiple sources; however, reliance on uncommitted funding may result in delays or complications during the contracting process with Alberta Innovates.

Submission Process

This is a continuous intake program. It is the PI's responsibility to observe the standard Research Services internal deadline of 3 business days ahead of submission to the funding sponsor.

Expression of Interest (EOI) Form (Agriculture and Environment Continuous Intake)

Research Services review and RMS approval are not required at this stage. 

Full Application (by invitation)

Please choose the "Agriculture and Environment Program 2026-2027" funding opportunity in RMS.

1. Applications must be submitted to Research Services (RSO) for institutional approval and mandatory administrative review through the Research Management System (RMS) at least 3 business days (at 12:00 p.m.) ahead of submission to the funding sponsor.
2. Complete a 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.
3. Upon review and approval, the PI may submit the application to the funding sponsor.

Overhead

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

Pre-application deadlines

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