NSERC Alliance/ARD grants and Alberta Innovates Campus Alberta Small Business Engagement (CASBE) Stream II

Context and objectives

In partnership, NSERC Alliance / ARD Grants and  Alberta Innovates’ Campus Alberta Small Business Engagement (CASBE) program will support post-secondary (universities or colleges respectively) R&D collaborations that utilize emerging technologies to assist Alberta SMEs developing technology with the highest potential for regional economic development and commercialization in Alberta.

Individual proposals can request at least $20,000 up to $150,000 per year from AI CASBE and at least $20,000 from NSERC (Alliance or ARD grant). NSERC will match contributions to the project from the SME according to the cost-sharing ratios and within the funding brackets and durations of the Alliance or ARD program. AI CASBE will match the NSERC award up to $150,000 per year for up to two years. Alberta Innovates CASBE support could be for a maximum of two years; however an application can be submitted for the maximum length of time allowed under NSERC Alliance and NSERC ARD.

AI will only support the project if 1) it is aligned to Alberta Innovates Emerging Technologies areas; and 2) if there is at least ONE Alberta SME as industry partner. Alberta Innovates CASBE support could be for a maximum of two years; however an application can be submitted for the maximum length of time allowed under NSERC Alliance and NSERC ARD. The streamlined joint application and decision process enables companies to undertake research collaborations with Alberta-based researchers and have their cash contribution leveraged by NSERC and supported by AI. The mutually beneficial projects are expected to result in economic benefits to the company(ies) and to Alberta and build impactful longer-term collaborations between the researcher and the company.

To start the application process for CASBE Alliance or CASBE ARD grants, the industry partner must connect with the  CASBE program manager.

Equity, diversity and inclusion

NSERC is committed to excellence in research and research training for the benefit of Canadians. Achieving a more equitable, diverse and inclusive Canadian research enterprise is also essential to creating the excellent, innovative and impactful research necessary to seize opportunities and respond to global challenges. See Guide for applicants: Considering equity, diversity, and inclusion in your application.

Applicants

CASBE Alliance

• You must meet NSERC’s eligibility criteria when you apply and when funding is released.
• You must be a faculty member from an eligible Alberta-based university.
• You are encouraged to collaborate with experts in fields other than the natural sciences and engineering, where appropriate, since implementing policy or applying the research results can depend on socioeconomic considerations as well as scientific understanding. Academic researchers outside the natural sciences and engineering may participate in proposals as co-applicants if they meet NSERC’s eligibility requirements for the type, duration and nature of the appointment. Research costs for these collaborations may account for up to 30 percent of the project costs and must be identified in the project budget.

CASBE ARD

• You must be an Alberta-based college eligible to hold tri-agency funds (see the List of eligible institutions).

Partners

Consult the  AI CASBE industry partner eligibility requirements for full details on company eligibility. The industry partner (Alberta SME) should not have an outstanding balance or otherwise owe money to any Alberta Innovates organization, subsidiary or partner.

Apply

To start the application process for CASBE Stream II grants, the applicant must complete the NSERC Alliance or ARD application. Once all elements for the application are completed, the applicant then completes the SmartSimple application form in the Alberta Innovates CASBE  SmartSimple portal. The applicant must attach a PDF of the NSERC application as part of the AI CASBE SmartSimple application.

CASBE Alliance

Complete the NSERC Alliance application and supporting documents, including the Personal data form with Common CV attachment for the applicant and all co-applicants, through NSERC’s online system. All partner organizations must complete the partner organization information module as part of form 101 - contributions. Select “partner organization recognized for cost-sharing” for the Alberta SME and access will be provided to the organization representative via an email link. Create a PDF of your completed proposal. Prior to submission to NSERC, complete the SmartSimple application at the Alberta Innovates portal. Attach the PDF of your completed proposal. Alberta Innovates will complete the partner organization form once they have reviewed and assessed the details submitted through the Alberta Innovates  SmartSimple portal. Once the partner forms are completed, the NSERC application can now be submitted in the NSERC online system.

Consult the Alliance grant application checklist for a summary of information that needs to be addressed in a completed application.

CASBE ARD

Complete the NSERC application and supporting documents, including the Personal data form with Common CV attachment for the applicant and all co-applicants, through NSERC’s online system. Create a PDF of your completed proposal. Prior to submission to NSERC, complete the SmartSimple application at the Alberta Innovates portal. Attach the PDF of your completed proposal. Please ensure that CASBE–NSERC consent form has been completed and signed. Alberta Innovates will sign off on this consent form once they have reviewed and assessed the details submitted through the Alberta Innovates  SmartSimple portal. Once the CASBE–NSERC consent form has been signed, upload it into the Other documents section of form 103. The NSERC application can now be submitted. The CASBE-NSERC consent form must be included with all ARD applications that are aligned to the CASBE program requisites.

A letter of support from the company involved in the project must be provided and must outline the company's support for, contribution to, and agreement with the research project plan. For details on the letter requirements please consult the ARD grant Application procedures.

Consult the ARD grants application checklist and proposal template for a summary of information that needs to be addressed in a completed application.

Evaluation criteria

Please consult the Alliance evaluation criteria and the ARD grant selection criteria for full details regarding how the respective CASBE Alliance and CASBE ARD applications will be reviewed. The application should demonstrate how the R&D results will benefit the SME.

Funding

All project expenditures are subject to the principles and directives governing the appropriate use of grant funds as outlined in the Tri-agency guide on financial administration (CASBE Alliance) or the College and Community Innovation program tri-agency financial administration guide (CASBE ARD). The agreement must be aligned with NSERC’s Policy on Intellectual Property, which promotes the use and/or exploitation of knowledge and open access to results of research funded by NSERC.

Reporting

You will be informed of reporting requirements and the corresponding schedule when you are notified of your award. NSERC and AI will strive to streamline their reporting requirements to lessen the burden on participants. A midyear presentation to demonstrate progress will be required by Alberta Innovates.