LSIP Project Information

    Lab Services Incentive Program (LSIP)

    For your project to move forward with the LSIP program approvals, the Project Pre-Approval Form will need to be submitted. The form is organized as a series of labelled tables for which the following information will be required:

    Like many funding agencies, supporting technology development, ERA utilizes the TRL scale for assessing technology advancement. It may be beneficial for the project to utilize the same language – please see Appendix A below.

    Submitting Institution (PSI)

    • Institution (PSI) name
    • PSI Program manager/submitter
    • Role/title
    • Email, and
    • Date submitted

    Project information

    It is the largest section in the Project Pre-Approval Form.

    • Project title
    • Project location(s) (indicate host institution and specific lab/centre, if applicable)
    • Anticipated Start Date (Must be on or after the date of ERA’s written approval)
    • Anticipated Duration (including a multi-year project toggle; All lab services must be completed by September 30, 2029)
    • If it is a Multi-year project or not?
    • Proposed milestones and annual funding split (required if the project is a Multi-year project) – List each milestone or funding year and the amount requested. Each subsequent tranche is released on a satisfactory Multi-Year Milestone Report and ERA verification of progress.
    • Brief Summary of Lab Services to be Provided (Approx. ¼ page — scope, deliverables, and the specialized equipment or expertise required)
    • How will the PSI collaborate with and support the client?

    Project Budget and Funding

    • Estimated Total (Nominal) Project Cost (CAD) (Total cost of the project, including any ineligible items)
    • Estimated Eligible Direct Project Cost (CAD) (Direct lab-service costs only. Administration is NOT included here. Projects below $20,000 are not eligible)
    • Estimated LSIP Project Incentive (CAD) (Up to 50% of eligible direct project cost. Minimum $10,000; maximum $50,000 per project and $100,000 per client over the 3-year program)
    • Estimated Administration Allowance (CAD) (Up to 30% of the ERA project incentive at Q16 — not of eligible direct cost. Minimum $3,000; maximum $15,000 per project and $30,000 per client. Provided in addition to the project incentive)
    • Total ERA Funding Requested (CAD) (Maximum $65,000 per project)
    • Estimated SME Client Contribution (CAD) (Client pays the balance of the eligible direct project cost in cash. In-kind contributions are not accepted)
    • Other public-sector or third-party funding applied to this project? (Co-funding (e.g. NSERC, regional development agencies, other grants) is permitted and encouraged. Disclosure only — no separate ERA approval is required for each source)
    • If yes to the question above, identify the funding source(s) and approximate amount(s) (Advise ERA if this funding changes materially during the project)

    Client (SME) information

    • Client (SME) Legal Name
    • Organization Size (Number of Employees, no more than 499 employees)
    • Revenue Status (pre-revenue / revenue-generating)
    • Company website
    • Lead Contact information (Name, Role, Email)
    • Has this organization received prior LSIP or another ERA program?
    • Technology Description (Approx. ⅓ page — the technology, target market or industry, the problem it addresses, and its relevance to ERA’s mandate)

    Focus Area and Outcomes

    • Checkboxes for the Primary LSIP Focus Area (Enhanced Efficiency, Energy Horizons, Industrial Frontiers, Circular Economy, Carbon Management) (Select the one area that best reflects the technology being advanced. Definitions and examples are in Section 2.3 of the Program Design Guidelines)
    • Additional focus area(s), if applicable (One focus area is sufficient. Select additional areas only where the project genuinely advances a technology within them)
    • Technology Advancement Rationale (Briefly explain how the lab services will advance the client’s technology within the selected focus area — what question will be answered, what will be validated, or what uncertainty reduced. This does not need to be lengthy)
    • Anticipated emissions reduction and/or environmental benefits (Optional. Describe any anticipated greenhouse gas reduction and/or wider environmental benefit — for example water use or treatment, land or soil quality, air quality, waste reduction, or resource efficiency. Quantification is not required; a qualitative or forward-looking description is sufficient)
    • Current Technology Readiness Level (TRL) (TRL 2–6 typical for LSIP-supported projects. See the Innovation Canada TRL definitions if required); Current TRL:? Anticipated TRL following the project:?

    PSI Screening Confirmation Checklist

    • Checkboxes for a 9-point PSI screening confirmation checklist covering Alberta SME status, footprint, defined scope, cost caps, the 2029 deadline, no duplicate ERA funding, cash cost-share, and the written PSI–SME agreement requirement

    PSI screening confirmation — check each item before submission:

    ☐ Client is an Alberta-based, for-profit SME with no more than 499 employees (not-for-profits are not eligible).
    ☐ Client has a real, demonstrable Alberta footprint (operations, staff, facilities, activity, customers, or partnerships).
    ☐ Project aligns with at least one LSIP focus area and advances a specific technology.
    ☐ Scope is a clearly defined, deliverable lab services project (not open-ended research or routine commercial consulting).
    ☐ Estimated nominal cost is at least $20,000 (minimum incentive $10,000); requested incentive is within the $50,000 per-project and $100,000 per-client caps.
    ☐ Lab services can be delivered on or before September 30, 2029.
    ☐ The lab services are not directly related to a project or technology already supported through another ERA program (no duplicate ERA funding).
    ☐ The client will pay its share in cash; no in-kind contribution is being counted toward the client cost-share.
    ☐ The client understands a written PSI–SME agreement is required before work begins and only post-approval services are eligible.

    Conflict of Interest & Declaration

    A COI disclosure question and a signed declaration (name/title, signature, date) attesting the information is accurate and the project meets LSIP eligibility.

    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.