Alberta-Europe Technology Collaboration Fund
Background
Building on the success of the Alberta-Germany Collaboration Fund for Product Development and Commercialization (established in 2012) and the Alberta-Canada-France Joint Industrial R&D Projects Program (established in 2015), the German-Canadian Centre for Innovation and Research and the Alberta Government’s Ministry of Economic Development and Trade introduced the Alberta-Europe Technology Collaboration Fund in February 2018.
Goal
The overarching goal of this program is to help participants become more globally competitive by developing innovative technologies and research-based alliances with the potential to foster economic growth. Further goals include:
- Connecting industry players and researchers across multiple jurisdictions;
- Development of new models of collaboration between Alberta and Europe that leverage key research & technology capabilities, address common priorities, and accelerate the commercialization of technology; and
- Launching revolutionary product development and commercialization projects that aim to bring new products and services to market, and deliver economic benefits to citizens in both jurisdictions
The GCCIR program has been essential in helping to create strong international cooperation with our German partner as we lead the way to a new industry shaping technology. We are excited and grateful to the programming!
GCCIR’s support for this project has enabled us to spend more time at our customers’ facility and to commit more resources to the partnership than would otherwise have been possible. Due to the long distances and cultural differences involved, the support has most critically allowed us to spend more time directly working with Sonnenbatterie’s development team, building the trust, understanding, and collaborative relationships that are major contributors to the success of such projects.
Who can apply?
Albertan small and medium-sized enterprises (1 to 499 employees and less than $50 million in gross revenues, Source: Industry Canada, Statistics Canada) are welcome to apply to the Alberta-Europe Technology Collaboration Fund. European partners can be small or medium-sized enterprises, as well as larger companies or independent research institutions. All proposals to the program must involve an industry partner from each jurisdiction (i.e. Alberta and Europe) with an interest in commercialization. Research organisations and university institutes are welcome to participate as additional project partners. European SMEs may apply for approximately matching funding in their respective jurisdictions. An overview of European funding opportunities can be found below.
*Please note that:
(a) The definition of SMEs in Europe may differ from Canada (i.e. UK, Luxembourg SME size is 1 to 249 employees).
(b) Collaboration projects with Cyprus must involve an industry and a research institution on both sides. While the GCCIR cannot support Albertan research organizations, these may be eligible for funding support through the Research Promotion Foundation in Cyprus.
Funding
At present the maximum project contribution by GCCIR is $250,000 CAD, which would be granted to the Albertan applicant and distributed in the form of reimbursements following the submission of pre-set milestone reports. The Albertan company is required to match GCCIR funding through a combination of cash and in-kind contributions to the project. Funding for the European partner may be applied for through one of the agencies below, or through other appropriate sources. Should the European company be too large to be eligible for funding, then the requirement for their participation in the project will be to match the funding contributed by GCCIR. All funding sources must be disclosed.
Which European funding opportunities are available for partners?
OPIC & COSME Ministry of Economy, Republic of Bulgariacollaboration projects may be possible via the "Operational Programme: Innovation and Competitiveness" and "COSME" programs on the Bulgarian sidewww.opic.bghttps://www.mi.government.bg/en/themes/cosme-programme-1361-442.html RPF Research Promotion Foundation in Cypruscollaboration projects are possible via the "RESTART 2016-2020" framework on the Cypriot sidewww.research.org.cy Innovationsfonden collaboration projects may be possible via their "International collaborations" and "Grand Solutions" programs on the Dansks sideinnovationsfonden.dk InnovateUK regional, national funding programs and EU funding opportunities are accessible via the UK governmentwww.gov.uk Enterprise Development Programme Enterprise Estoniacollaboration projects may be possible via the "Enterprise Development Programme" on the Estonian sidewww.eas.ee BpiFrance collaboration projects are possible with BpiFrancewww.bpifrance.fr Region of Hauts-de-France collaborations are also possible via the IraSME network for the Region of Hauts-de-Francewww.hautsdefrance.fr/ ZIM Central Innovation Programme for SMEscollaboration projects are possible with ZIM and via the IraSME networkwww.zim-bmwi.de TTMI Technology Transfer - Marketing Innovation Consulting Ltdcollaboration projects may be possible via the "Explore - Create - Innovate" program on the Greek sidettmi.gr NKFIH National Research, Development and Innovation Office Hungarycollaboration projects may be possible via multiple programs, such as the "National Competitiveness and Excellence Programme", under their "National Research, Development and Innovation Fund" on the Hungarian sidewww.nkfih.gov.hu Rannis Icelandic Centre for ResearchRannis administers the main public competitive funds in the fields of research, innovataion, education and culture in Iceland; cooperation projects might be possible via the "Technology Development Fund"en.rannis.is/funding/ Invest inIceland further incentives for R&D;, such as tax credits, are accessible via Invest in Icelandwww.invest.is/doing-business/incentives-and-support RD&I; Fund Enterprise Irelandnational R&D; funding is accessible via the "RD&I; Fund" on the Irish sidewww.enterprise-ireland.com R&D; tax credit,Innovation agreements,Development contracts Italian Ministry of Economic Developmentthe Ministry offers a number of national opportunities that Italian partner companies can apply to for supportwww.sviluppoeconomico.gov.it Italian Risk Sharing Initiative for RDI European Investment Bankalso, the EIB offers Italian SMEs an initiative to access European funds to support RDI projectswww.eib.org no national funding opportunities available in Latvia at the moment, but collaboration projects are possible via the Horizon2020 and EUREKA programs on the Latvian sideviaa.gov.lv MITA Research, Innovation and Technology Agency of Lithuaniacollaboration projects might be possible via their "Technological development project financing instrument" programmita.lrv.lt RVO Dutch Enterprise Agencycollaborations may be possible via Eurostarswww.rvo.nl InvestNI InvestNorthern Irelandregional R&D; funding is accessible via InvestNIwww.investni.com InnovateUK further national funding programs and EU funding opportunities are accessible via the UK governmentwww.gov.uk/government/organisations/innovate-uk Innovation Norway Innovation Norwaycollaboration projects may be possible via the "Research and Development Contracts" and "Environmental Technology Scheme" programs on the Norwegian sidewww.innowasjonnorge.no RCN Research Council of NorwayNorwegian collaboration partners may also apply for funding through the "SkatteFUNN" programwww.forskningsradet.no NCBiR National Centre for Research and Developmentinformation on R&D; funding programs to followwww.ncbr.gov.pl no national funding opportunities available in Portugal at the moment, but collaboration projects are possible via the Horizon2020 and EUREKA programs managed by ANI (National Innovation Agency) on the Portuguese sideani.pt MDRAP Ministry of Regional Development, Public Administration and European Fundscollaboration projects may be possible via the "Operational Program for Competitiveness" program on the Romanian side, which offers a stream "Research, Technological Development and Innovation in Support of Economic Competitiveness and Business Development"www.mdrap.ro Scottish Enterprise collaboration projects may be possible via their regional "Fund R&D; projects and feasibility studies" program on the Scottish sidewww.scottish-enterprise.com InnovateUK further national funding programs and EU funding opportunities are accessible via the UK governmentwww.gov.uk/government/organisations/innovate-uk MHSR Ministry of Economy Slovakiacollaboration projects may be possible via the "Operational Program Research and Innovation" on the Slovakian sidewww.economy.gov.sk ACCIÓ Agency for the Competitiveness of the Companycollaboration projects are possible via the "Nuclis" and "TECNIOspring" programs with companies from the Spanish region of Cataloniawww.accio.gencat.cat CDTI Centre for the Development of Industrial Technologycollaboration projects are possible via the "INNOGLOBAL" program on the Spanish side; other possible venues for collaborations may be the Horizon2020 and EUREKA programswww.cdti.es VINNOVA VINNOVA offers mutiple funding programs for R&D; on the Swedish sidewww.vinnova.se SBFI State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovationcollaborations may be possible via EUREKAwww.sbfi.admin.ch Business Wales collaboration projects may be possible via Business Wales' regional funding programswww.businesswales.gov.wales InnovateUK further national funding programs and EU funding opportunities are accessible via the UK governmentwww.gov.uk/government/organisations/innovate-uk FFG Austrian Research Promotion Agencycollaboration projects are possible via the IraSME network on the Austrian sidewww.ffg.at INNOVIRIS regional funding is accessible via the "Explore" and "Shape" programs in Brusselswww.innoviris.be SPW Technology Research Department Walloniacollaborations are possible via the IraSME network in Walloniarecherche-technologie.wallonie.be/fr/menu/profils/entreprise/pour-les-pme/pour-les-pme.html VLAIO Flanders Agency for Innovation and Enterprisescollaboration projects are possible via the IraSME network in Flanderswww.vlaio.be/nl/subsidies-financiering/kmo-innovatieprojecten HRZZ Croatian Science Foundationcollaboration projects may be possible via the "Partnership in Research" program on the Croatian sidewww.hrzz.hr MPO Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republiccollaboration projects are possible via the IraSME network on the Czech sidewww.mpo.cz TACR Technology Agency of the Czech Republiccollaboration projects are also possible via the Delta 2 program on the Czech sidewww.tacr.cz Business Finland(Tekes) Finnish Funding Agency for Innovationcollaboration projects may be possible via Business Finland (formerly Tekes) on the Finnish sidewww.tekes.fi Luxinnovation collaboration projects are possible via the IraSME networkwww.luxinnovation.lu no national funding opportunities available in Slovenia at the moment, but collaboration projects may be possible via the Horizon2020 and EUREKA programs on the Slovenian sidewww.mgrt.gov.si
*Please be advised that information on European funding opportunities listed here are only suggestions. Other national or regional funding options may be available. Furthermore, any program information listed here or program availability at these institutions may be subject to changes that the GCCIR has no influence on.

Project Requirements and Scoring Considerations
- Indicate clearly identified commercialization goals consistent with project objectives (how does the project address and provide economic benefits - qualitative and quantitative - for both Alberta and Europe)
- Demonstrate expertise (management, technical, and operational) in the field of the project and propose a strong joint team
- Indicate the respective human expertise contribution(s) to the project
- Leverage proven methodologies
- Include a risk assessment complete with mitigation strategies
- Provide realistic economic indicators (NPV, IRR suggested)
- Demonstrate financial capacity and commitment to contributing the company’s portion of the project funding
- Clearly demonstrate development of long-term innovation capacity
- Delineate the potential return on investment for all participants in the proposal
- Identify how intellectual property will be managed
Project Selection Criteria
Calls will be open to initiatives or projects focusing on developing innovative products, technology-based services, or methods in all technological and application areas, which have strong market potential. Eligible projects can be in any of the following stages:
- Applied research and development
- Product development
- Proof of concept
- Prototype development
- Technology demonstration
Project Evaluation
All applications to the Alberta-Europe Technology Collaboration Fund will be peer-reviewed by a panel of external evaluators. This leads to a ranking of the applications. The final decision-making authority is the GCCIR Steering Committee.

Looking for European Partners?
We organize a matchmaking mission to Europe for Albertan companies every year (usually in late fall). These missions include 4 to 5 stops spanning a variety of European countries (the EU, plus Norway, Switzerland, the UK, and Iceland). Please contact us for more information on our next matchmaking mission.
Application Documents for the Alberta-Europe Technology Collaboration Fund
The GCCIR is able to accept applications to the Alberta-Europe Technology Collaboration Fund on a rolling basis. In order to apply to the Alberta-Europe Technology Collaboration Fund for support, Albertan SMEs must have one or more collaboration partner(s) (at least one partnering European SME) from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or the United Kingdom.
Please coordinate with your partner(s) when you would like to apply for funding. An overview of calls for proposals from corresponding funding agencies in Europe can be found here. Applications for funding should be submitted concurrently by Albertan and European project participants.
For Albertan companies to apply to the Alberta-Europe Technology Collaboration Fund, please complete the following application form and submit it along with supporting documents to info@gccir.ca:
- Alberta-Europe Technology Collaboration Fund Application Form (only for Alberta company)
- Application Guidelines
European project participants need to apply to appropriate funding agencies in their respective jurisdictions and refer to those agencies’ websites for information on application requirements and procedures.