Helping Innovators Access Alberta’s World-Class Research Labs

Under the program, a lab services project can receive 50 per cent of the nominal project cost, up to a maximum of $50,000. Up to $1.5 million in funding is available annually. The program will follow a continuous intake structure until September 30, 2029, or whenever funds are depleted.

WHO SHOULD APPLY

LSIP incentives will be provided to support services offered by participating post-secondary research institutions (PSIs) to Alberta-based, for-profit enterprises with no more than 499 employees. Participants are not required to be incorporated in Alberta but must have a material, demonstrable Alberta footprint and must align with the focus areas listed in ERA’s Technology Roadmap.

LSIP services will be provided by Alberta-based PSIs. The eight participating PSIs include the University of Calgary, the University of Lethbridge, the University of Alberta, NAIT, SAIT, Red Deer Polytechnic, Olds College, and Lethbridge Polytechnic.  

Applications for LSIP incentives will be made by participating PSIs on behalf of SME clients and will be used to reduce the cost of lab services provided to the client by the PSI by up to 50%. No separate application to ERA by the SME is required. Engagement, coordination, planning, and contracting for specific lab service projects will continue to be managed by each PSI. It is incumbent upon interested SMEs to identify their lab services needs and to engage with participating PSIs to determine their eligibility for an LSIP incentive to support the work.

Information on the service offerings and support available at each PSI can be found at the following sites:

ABOUT THE PILOT PROGRAM

LSIP began as a $1 million pilot program from 2025 to 2026. It was created in response to ERA’s Barriers to Commercialization Study, which identified resources and financial constraints as primary reasons for startups and small- to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) not engaging with Alberta’s post-secondary research institutions. 

ERA funded 24 cleantech projects through the pilot program with a combined total value of more than $850,000 in public and private investment. Innovators accessed lab services at three post-secondary institutions: the University of Alberta, the University of Calgary, and the University of Lethbridge. All projects reached completion, reflecting genuine market demand, meaningful SME commitment, and effective coordination between participants and PSIs. 

ELIGIBLE COSTS

LSIP funds must be used to provide lab services that are relevant to the program focus. Lab services are defined as activities conducted by a post-secondary research institution to test, validate, characterize, or otherwise advance elements of a novel technology solution under development by an eligible client. This may include, but is not limited to:

• Experimental design
• Empirical studies
• Sampling
• Testing
• Imaging
• Characterization
• Compositional analysis
• Prototyping

Out-of-scope expenses include:

• Purchase of land, buildings, or capital equipment
• Expenses relating to downstream research activities (such as writing and editing of publications) arising from the lab services work
• Legal expenses and regulatory fees
• Subscriptions or membership fees
• Costs to recruit personnel
• Travel costs
• Insurance
• Hospitality expenses
• Costs relating to marketing, communications, and media

ABOUT EMISSIONS REDUCTION ALBERTA (ERA)

ERA is funded by the Government of Alberta’s Technology Innovation and Emissions Reduction (TIER) Regulation. For 15 years, ERA has been investing the revenues from the carbon price paid by large final emitters to accelerate the development and adoption of innovative clean technology solutions. Since ERA was established in 2009, over $954 million has been committed toward 296 projects worth over $7.4 billion that are helping to reduce GHGs, create competitive industries, and lead to new business opportunities in Alberta. These projects are estimated to deliver cumulative reductions of 36 million tonnes of CO₂e by 2030 and 102 million tonnes of CO₂e by 2050.

ABOUT TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION AND EMISSIONS REDUCTION (TIER) FUNDING

The Technology Innovation and Emissions Reduction (TIER) Regulation is at the core of emissions management in Alberta. The TIER system implements Alberta’s industrial carbon pricing and emissions trading system. TIER helps industrial facilities find innovative ways to reduce emissions and invest in clean technology to stay competitive and save money.