Call for proposals – December 2023

    Application Guide

    Summary

    Letter of Interest (LOI) form (MS Word)CEMP LOI template
    Call for Proposals Application Guide (PDF)Application Guide PDFThe same information as on this webpage.
    Research Areas1. Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage
    2. Energy Storage
    3. Hydrogen
    4. Alternative and renewable energy    		Please see the Call for Proposals description for a more specific description of the research topics of interest to the CEMP and its funders.
    Funding amount$25,000 – $250,000The funding provided contains a significant industry component and is normally expected to attract matching funding from other programs.
    Deadline for LOIJanuary 31, 2024
    Project duration1-3 yearsMay be flexible for larger projects.
    Contact for more informationDr. Alex Umnikov, Operations Lead, CEMPalex.umnikov@ualberta.ca
    780-492-6702

    Context and objectives

    The CEMP grant funding supports research projects that aim to solve scientific, technological and engineering problems in the areas of energy and mineral processing. While the focus of the CEMP projects will be on scientific and engineering solutions, it is important to recognize that the energy transition will require broad-based involvement from social sciences, policy, etc.

    These projects must be led by the UofA faculty members and may involve researchers from other universities, research organizations and companies. Participating researchers may include faculty members, post-doctoral researchers, research associates and graduate and undergraduate students.

    The projects can be of different stages of technology development (e.g. of various Technology Readiness Levels – TRLs). Most of the projects are expected to be of TRL3 – TRL6, clearly aiming to advance the technology or solution TRL, and potentially leading to technology transfer and commercialization by industry in Alberta and Canada. Please see Appendix A below for the TRLs definition from NSERC. As projects are sponsored by industry it is likely that preference will be given to projects with higher TRLs.

    Funding can be used to attract and train undergraduate and graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, research associates and technicians on projects, as well as for operational and equipment costs (normally no more than 50% of the project costs). Intellectual property (IP) assessment and protection, market assessment and marketing, and technology transfer activities costs are NOT eligible expenses in this program. Project funding will support activities such as

    • scientific technology assessment
    • characterization of the invention
    • proof-of-concept experimentation
    • testing potential solutions to work in a laboratory environment
    • demonstration and piloting of technologies and solutions in real world or simulated end-user environment  
    • data gathering and analysis

    The research areas for this Call for Proposals has been selected by the CEMP as:

    1Carbon Capture, Utilization and StorageFocus is on large industrial context (e.g., power generation, mining, oil sands, etc.). 

    Specific areas of interest include:
    a) direct air capture, less energy intensive, less costly, from diluted streams (<8% by volume), and in cold weather conditions;
    b) less energy intensive capture in general;
    c) application of existing and emerging technologies in oil sands production;
    d) new ideas and approaches to significantly lower the costs (both capital and operations);
    e) CO2 mineralization;
    f) methane abatement.
    2Energy StorageFocus is on storage for large industry, grid or transportation.

    Specific topics of interest include:
    a) high temperature applications (e.g., metal reduction, high exothermic powders, etc.;
    b) grids with mixed energy sources, continuous (natural gas) and intermittent (e.g., solar, wind);
    c) thermal runaway propagation and its detection, mitigation, and halting in batteries in the context of transit buses and vehicle fires. Specific examples may be: off gas detection vs thermal detection; chemical additives for preventative measures; using non-lithium-ion batteries competitive with Li-ion; fire curtains or other suppression systems in bus maintenance/storage facilities, or on buses themselves.
    3HydrogenFocus is on large industry or utility providers.

    Specific topics of interest include:
    a) hydrogen/natural gas blending for existing facilities (e.g. combustion turbines, duct firing for heat recovery steam generators, etc.);
    b) hydrogen leak detection.
    4Alternative and renewable energyFocus is on large industry or utility providers.

    Specific topics of interest include:
    a) feasibility of fuel grade methane from green sources;
    b) eco-friendly fuels that can be retrofitted for use on existing combustion turbines;
    c) utility scale geothermal feasibility;d) increasing the use of solar energy for municipal transit or trains;
    e) modelling (possibly with the use of machine learning and artificial intelligence) for urban grid efficiencies or traffic congestion, including transit systems (LRT, EV busses, maintenance facilities, etc.).
    Table 1. Priority research areas for the Call for Proposals 

    The CEMP will provide total funding of $25,000 to $250,000 per project (normally for 1-3 years). For larger projects there may be some flexibility around the project length. The CEMP funding contains a significant industry component eligible for matching by a number of other programs (e.g., from NSERC and/or Mitacs). 

    Since it is normally expected that the project will attract matching funding from NSERC and/or Mitacs, it is important that the projects are structured in a way that makes them eligible for funding from these programs:

    https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/OnlineServices-ServicesEnLigne/instructions/101/alliance_eng.asp

    https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/InterAgency-Interorganismes/TAFA-AFTO/guide-guide_eng.asp

    https://www.mitacs.ca/en/programs/accelerate

    The CEMP may have opportunities to attract additional funding for particular projects from various funding sources. To be able to do this the application will ask for your permission to discuss your project with trusted funding partners. 

    Industry sponsors

    Most of the funded projects are likely to have a significant participation from one of CEMP industry partners. At the LOI stage, applicants are NOT required to identify these partnerships. Projects selected based on their LOIs will be matched with industry partners for further conversation and development. 

    Applicants

    • As the principal investigator (PI), you must be a faculty member of UofA. 
    • You may submit only one application as a PI.
    • You may submit as many applications as you wish as a co-applicant.

    Research Team

    The project PI is responsible for assembling a research team capable of executing the project. The team may include members from both UofA and other research and innovation organizations. 

    Apply

    To apply please complete the Letter of Intent (LOI) form. For the form, please see Appendix B below or download a file here:

    CEMP LOI template

    Submit the LOI form it to the CEMP together with current CVs of the team members by January 31, 2023 (before midnight) to cemp@ualberta.ca.

    The LOI is expected to be quite general in nature, and may lack some specific information that will have to be further developed prior to the final funding and industry sponsorship decision.

    Further conversation, project development and a more complete application may be required, if the project requires industry collaboration OR if questions or concerns are raised during the review process.

    Evaluation criteria

    Projects are evaluated using the following criteria (please consider them when preparing your LOI):

    Technology

    • The proposed research project has a significant potential for developing and advancing new technologies in a priority research area specified in this Call for Proposals (Table 1)
    • The proposal realistically identifies the technology TRL (within the target range of TRL 3-6) and has a feasible plan for advancing it to a higher TRL.
    • The proposed technology development has a significant degree of novelty and originality.

    Benefits

    • The development of the proposed technology will lead to significant benefits in the following areas (consider company, industry, jurisdictional level):
      1. Economic 
      2. Social 
      3. Environmental

    Talent

    • The team has the right academic expertise (including the expertise of the partner organizations) both for carrying out the planned research, and for mentoring trainees.
    • The proposed project has opportunities for development of research and professional skills of the trainees (undergraduates, graduates, postdoctoral fellows).
    • Consideration of equity, diversity and inclusion in the proposed project and team.

    Proposal

    • The proposal has clear objectives and deliverables.
    • The proposed activities have appropriate scope and scale to achieve the expected outcomes.
    • The team has or will have access to appropriate equipment and facilities.
    • The fiscal plan is appropriate and realistic.

    Intellectual property

    The CEMP is not taking an Intellectual Property (IP) position in the funded projects. The terms of IP agreement will be negotiated between the sponsors and researchers, and will respect the UofA IP policies:

    https://www.ualberta.ca/research/services/commercialization/policies.html

    Reporting

    The reporting will be harmonized with the matching program reporting (e.g., from NSERC and/or Mitacs, Alberta Innovates, etc.): reports to other funding organizations will be accepted by the CEMP, with a possible requirement to provide additional information essential to the CEMP but missing from the other reports.

    Appendix A. Technology readiness levels (TRLs)

    Level 1: Basic principles of concept are observed and reported
    Scientific research begins to be translated into applied research and development. Activities might include paper studies of a technology’s basic properties.
    Level 2: Technology concept and/or application formulated
    Invention begins. Once basic principles are observed, practical applications can be invented. Activities are limited to analytic studies.
    Level 3: Analytical and experimental critical function and/or proof of concept
    Active research and development is initiated. This includes analytical studies and/or laboratory studies. Activities might include components that are not yet integrated or representative.
    Level 4: Component and/or validation in a laboratory environment
    Basic technological components are integrated to establish that they will work together. Activities include integration of “ad hoc” hardware in the laboratory.
    Level 5: Component and/or validation in a simulated environment
    The basic technological components are integrated for testing in a simulated environment. Activities include laboratory integration of components.
    Level 6: System/subsystem model or prototype demonstration in a simulated environment
    A model or prototype that represents a near desired configuration. Activities include testing in a simulated operational environment or laboratory.
    Level 7: Prototype ready for demonstration in an appropriate operational environment
    Prototype at planned operational level and is ready for demonstration in an operational environment. Activities include prototype field testing.
    Level 8: Actual technology completed and qualified through tests and demonstrations
    Technology has been proven to work in its final form and under expected conditions. Activities include developmental testing and evaluation of whether it will meet operational requirements.
    Level 9: Actual technology proven through successful deployment in an operational setting
    Actual application of the technology in its final form and under real-life conditions, such as those encountered in operational tests and evaluations. Activities include using the innovation under operational conditions.

    Appendix B. Letter of Intent form

    LETTER OF INTENT (LOI)

    (Maximum 3 pages)

     ENTER PROJECT TITLE HERE

    Submission date (month, year):

    Research theme:   

    Name, affiliation and email of principal investigator:  

    Names, affiliations and emails of co-investigators: (if applicable, do not include trainees or technical personnel)  

    Proposed research or project concept (up to 1 page):

    Expected advantages relative to currently available technologies (consider technical, economic, environmental, and social benefits – 0.5 page):

    Applicant’s expertise and prior research as related to the proposed project (up to 1 page):

    Funding, resources, and equipment required (in C$)

    Project duration (years):

    Annual and total project budget including overhead:

     Year 1Year 2Year 3Total
    Category# # #  
    Salary, Undergraduates (incl. benefits)       
    Salary, Grad Students (incl. benefits)       
    Salary, Postdoctoral (incl. benefits)       
    Salary, Res Assoc/Tech (incl. benefits)       
    Equipment    
    Professional and technical services    
    Materials and supplies    
    Travel    
    Other    
    Overhead    
         
    Total    

    Secured or proposed sources of funding:

    Research staff required (current and future students, post-doctoral fellows, etc.):

    Equipment required and how it will be obtained or accessed:

    Permission to discuss this project with third party funding organizations (check one):

    YES, I give the CEMP permission ____;    NO, I do not give permission _____

    Comments (if any):

    Please submit the LOI PDF or Word file to cemp@ualberta.ca