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Program Overview

r&D Associates addresses the increasing research and development (R&D) personnel needs of Alberta industry. Through this program component, Alberta companies are able to recruit recent Master’s and PhD graduates to conduct research that benefits the organization.

r&D Associates consists of an annual stipend of $55,000 from Alberta Innovates – Technology Futures for up to two years, and an annual research allowance of $7,000.

Six competitions are held each year. The deadlines are February 1, April 1, June 1, August 1, October 1 and December 1. Results are announced six to eight weeks after application deadline.

Objectives

The primary objective of r&D Associates is to increase research expertise in Alberta-based companies. At the same time, recent Master’s and PhD graduates gain applied experience and contribute to the research and related activities of the company.

This program is designed to achieve the following goals:

  • Accelerate business ideas with research expertise.
  • Enhance resource-based sectors of Alberta's economy to sustain competitiveness in global markets.
  • Help transform Alberta industry through the practical application of research.
  • Support the expansion of highly-trained personnel in research and industry settings.
  • Foster the development of researchers with business interests or experience. 

Eligibility 

Company
The company must meet each of the following criteria to be eligible:

  • Provincially or federally incorporated and operates in Alberta, or if not incorporated, is wholly Alberta-owned.
  • Operates on a for-profit basis.
  • Possesses adequate and sound financial resources.
  • Engaged in research and development activities based, to a significant extent, on technology derived from science and engineering disciplines.
  • Maintains appropriate in-house research facilities such as laboratories and computing equipment within the company's premises, or has access to external research facilities as supported by contractual agreements.
  • Has an effective plan for applying the research results and marketing or exploiting products or processes in the best interests of the company and the Alberta economy.

The Industry Associates program favours Alberta research-based 'gazelle' companies; those rapidly growing companies that are making a difference in Alberta.

While Alberta Innovates – Technology Futures favours gazelles, these are not the only research companies eligible for funding through the Industry Associates program. Start-ups, small and medium-sized, and large companies are also eligible and are defined as follows:

Start-Up Companies:

  • A new company in product development mode;
  • Time in business does not exceed 4 years;
  • No public offering;
  • Annual sales do not exceed $1,000,000;
  • A minimum of one full-time employee and no more than 12.

Small and Medium-sized Companies:
General guidelines for start-up company qualification are as follows:

  • A minimum of one full-time employee and no more than 500 full-time employees
  • Annual sales not exceeding $50,000,000
  • Time in business more than 4 years

Large Companies:
A company with:

  • More than 500 full-time employees
  • Annual sales exceeding $50,000,000

Research Projects
Research projects must meet at least one of the following criteria to be eligible:

  • Pre-competitive research focusing on a targeted or applied research question or problem leading to the Proof-of-Concept of an inventive idea
  • Prototype development project leading to a demonstration product for technology validation, market capture and new investment opportunities
  • Demonstration and feasibility investigation of innovative technologies leading to new or enhanced products and processes to meet market needs or demands

The project must engage the candidate in R&D activities and provide opportunities for growth.

Other project-related activities such as market research, intellectual property management or business development may be assigned to the candidate; such activities should take more no than 20 per cent of the candidate's time.

Candidates
Candidates must meet each of the following criteria to be eligible:

  • Graduate of a Master's or PhD program within five years of application date OR graduate student expecting to complete Master's or PhD degree requirements within three months of submitting an application.
  • Not a founder of stakeholder of the company.
  • Not currently employed by the sponsoring Alberta-based company OR  is currently employed by the sponsoring company, but for less than 12 months.
  •  Candidate may not have previously been funded through the Industry Associates program.

Inquiries, please contact:

All inquiries regarding this program can be directed to:

Nancy Davidson
Senior Grants Administrator
email: Nancy.davidson@albertainnovates.ca
phone:  780-450-5551

Stacey Ohlmann
Director, Industry Development
Email: Stacey.ohlmann@albertainnovates.ca
Phone:  780-450-5505