I get asked a lot about equipment grants, so I want to break it down. The short and simple answer is that some equipment grants exist for certain industries more than others. The best sectors for equipment grants include agriculture, environment, and technology.
You can search an entire list of grants in the open-grant database.
Below are three to get you started.
Download Now! Five Grant Gotchas
There is grant money waiting for YOU! BUT if you step in a “grant trap,” your application is a NO! Learn the FIVE most common errors to AVOID in government grants! Get the 5 Grant Gotchas now to save you countless hours.
1. AGRICULTURE EQUIPMENT
Value: cost-shared basis to cover Eligible Expenses for approved Projects up to a maximum of $500,000 per Applicant per Fiscal Year. Eligible Capital Expenses shall be cost-shared at 25% grant and 75% Applicant; and b) Eligible Non-Capital Expenses shall be cost-shared at 50% grant and 50% Applicant.
Description:
The Value-Added Program supports the continued diversification, innovation, growth and prosperity in Alberta’s value-added food and bio-industrial sectors. Processors can apply for grants for value-added projects that increase company sales and production capacity, expand market opportunities and create jobs in Alberta.
The program has 2 streams:
- Value-Added Stream A: (maximum grant $50,000) applications are assessed based on eligibility criteria and merit scoring
- Value-Added Stream B: (grant over $50,000 to maximum grant $250,000) applications are assessed based on eligibility criteria and merit scoring
Applicants can select either Stream A or B at time of application and can only apply once per program fiscal year (April 1 to March 31).
Eligible capital expenses shall be cost-shared at 25% grant and 75% applicant.
Eligible non-capital expenses shall be cost-shared at 50% grant and 50% applicant up to a maximum total amount of $50,000. The $50,000 maximum includes a $5,000 maximum for travel expenses.
The Grant will be paid on a reimbursement basis, based on eligible expenses claimed by the approved applicant, and approved by the Minister.
To be eligible, an applicant must be:
- a bio-industrial processor or food processor that is in the business of changing an agricultural product into a value-added product*
- be an individual, corporation, partnership, or co-operative registered in Alberta at time of application
- for the purposes of Stream A, have annual sales between $25,000 and $10,000,000
- for the purposes of Stream B, have annual sales of at least $1,000,000
Eligible activities
Applicants can apply for activities under one or more of these funding categories:
- processing capacity expansion
- food safety improvement
- new product and process development
- market development and access
Expenses related to activities not listed on the funding list but related to the project may be eligible.
Deadline: See grant website as the grant opens and closes
Contact: af.ag-grants@gov.ab.ca
Website: https://www.alberta.ca/value-added-program
GRANT TIP: NOTE THAT MOST GRANT AGENCIES ALLOW UP TO 50% ELIGIBLE EXPENSES. WHEN EQUIPMENT IS THE ELIGIBLE EXPENSE, THE ELIGIBLE AMOUNT USUALLY DROPS TO 25% GRANT.
Now let us take a look at the technology side. The first technology grant that I ever wrote was also one of the most challenging: Alberta Innovates Product Demonstration Program. Wow, was it a complex grant, but we won!
2. TECHNOLOGY EQUIPMENT GRANT
Product Demonstration Program (PDP)| Alberta Innovates
Value: $150,000
Description:
The Product Demonstration Program (PDP) supports Alberta tech companies commercialize their products and achieve optimal market position to increase revenue and expand into global markets.
Funding is for:
- Build a relationship with a strategic partner to leverage their industry knowledge and distribution channels.
- Validate your product to a potential customer or market.
- Have your first sale or increase sales revenue within 18 months post project;
- Expand your supply or distribution channels.
- Increase your global competitiveness.
- Provide your strategic partner with access to innovative products to solve operational challenges for itself or its customers.
- Help your strategic partner to de-risk exposure to new technology.
- Expand products in strategic partners’ distribution channels.
Eligibility:
- You have fewer than 500 full-time employees and less than $50,000,000 in annual gross revenue.
- You can match the total eligible project costs, to a maximum Investment of $150,000.
- You have a product is ready to pilot in an operational setting.
- You are looking to expand sales or broaden market segments.
- You have identified a potential strategic partner.
- You can complete the pilot or demonstration within one year.
- You can reasonably expect a first sale or distribution agreement within 18 months if the pilot is successful.
- You can reasonably expect expanded sales or distribution agreements if the demonstration is successful within 18 months.
- Be a for-profit Corporation, General Partnership, Limited Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership and registered in Alberta.
- Companies must be Alberta-based with an Alberta footprint, which includes a significant physical and corporate operations in Alberta; appropriate Alberta ownership; and discernible intent that operational benefits will flow primarily within the Province of Alberta.
Deadline: Ongoing
Any questions? Contact us at intake@albertainnovates.ca or 403-210-5229.
Website: https://albertainnovates.ca/programs/product-demonstration-program/
You will also want to check out the Alberta Innovates $100k voucher as well.
3. ENVIRONMENT EQUIPMENT GRANT
Emissions Reduction Alberta (ERA):
Value: Up to 50% of eligible expenses to a maximum of $10,000,000.
Description:
Emissions Reduction Alberta (ERA) invests in and propel promising technologies that reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions along the path of innovation from idea to market. Our plans are big and our vision is ambitious.
Examples of potential areas of interest include (but are not limited to):
- Process improvements (combustion, catalysts, water treatment, etc.)
- High efficiency equipment (motors, pumps, compressors, etc.)
- Waste heat utilization and low carbon industrial heat
- Fuel switching, electrification, and alternative feedstocks
- Digital optimization and automation
- Industrial carbon conversion/utilization
- Industrial transportation and logistical optimization
Eligibility:
- Technology developers
- Industry
- Industrial associations
- Small and medium sized enterprises
- R&D organizations
- Universities
- Municipalities
- Not-for-profit organizations
- Government research labs
- Individuals
Eligible Expenses:
- Salaries, benefits, and labour costs
- Administrative and overhead expenses directly related to the project
- Capital assets
- Materials and supplies
- Attendance at conferences to a maximum of $2,500
- Travel expenses
Deadline: See website
Contact: Emissions Reduction Alberta | 780-417-1920 | info@eralberta.ca
Website: https://eralberta.ca/apply-for-funding/
Download Now! Five Grant Gotchas
There is grant money waiting for YOU! BUT if you step in a “grant trap,” your application is a NO! Learn the FIVE most common errors to AVOID in government grants! Get the 5 Grant Gotchas now to save you countless hours.
OTHER EQUIPMENT GRANTS
One last point, I get asked a lot about equipment grants for industries outside of these three sectors. I direct them here: Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) | Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED): https://www.canada.ca/en/innovation-science-economic-development/programs/strategic-innovation-fund.html
EVENTS
Join the grant writing waitlist here: https://albertabusinessgrants.ca/grant-writing/
Thanks Dave
780-297-6177
p.s. Keep smiling!
Download Now! Five Grant Gotchas
There is grant money waiting for YOU! BUT if you step in a “grant trap,” your application is a NO! Learn the FIVE most common errors to AVOID in government grants! Get the 5 Grant Gotchas now to save you countless hours.
