Research and development

Research and development plays an important role in Alberta's economy. Alberta's research infrastructure consists of a strong network of public, private and educational organizations. Both Calgary and Edmonton have an outstanding inventory of research parks for advanced technology activities.

Alberta Scientific Research and Developmental Tax Credit (SR&ED)

The Alberta SR&ED tax credit benefits businesses of all sizes and in all sectors that conduct research and development that will lead to new, improved or technologically advanced products or processes. It is worth 10% of a company's eligible expenditures up to $4 million, for a maximum credit of $400,000.

Federal Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) Tax Incentive Program

The Federal SR&ED program, administered by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), encouraging Canadian businesses of all sizes and in all sectors to conduct research and development (R&D) in Canada.  It is the largest single source of federal government support for industrial R&D.

Other resources

  • Alberta Sulphur Research Ltd. (ASRL) : ASRL is a non-profit organization specializing in sulphur research. ASRL acts as a liaison between sulphur producers and academic researchers, as well as a technological support for industry producers and product users.

  • Business Link - Grants and Finances: Learn more about the federal and provincial grant programs available for research and development.

  • Canadian Centre for Energy : Canadian Centre for Energy Information is a non-profit organization that aims to provide accurate, timely, relevant information about Canada's energy system in an effort to foster greater awareness and understanding of Canada’s energy system and energy-related issues.

  • Canadian Centre of Mineral and Energy Technologies (CANMET) : The CANMET Energy Technology Centre performs and sponsors energy research, technology development and demonstration within Natural Resources Canada. CETC/CANMET works in a variety of partnership arrangements on the research, development, demonstration, export and outreach of innovative energy-efficient and climate-change mitigating technologies associated with alternative, renewable and conventional energy.

  • Canadian Energy Research Institute (CERI) : CERI is a non-profit research institute that serves industrial, governmental and educational organizations in the research of energy economics and environmental policy issues.

  • Defence Research and Development Canada at Canadian Forces Base Suffield : UVS research and development is occurring at Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC) Suffield. DRDC Suffield is also home to the Chemical/Biological Forensic Research Lab, and several other defence research labs.

  • Edmonton Research Park : Edmonton Economic Development Corporation (EEDC) manages the 320-acre Edmonton Research Park that was established in 1980 to assist in the diversification of the Edmonton economy through advanced technology. The Park is home to over forty-five electronics, software and biotechnology companies, employing over 1,000 scientists, engineers, technicians and support staff, and is the second largest such park in Canada. The Park is adjacent to the headquarters and laboratories of the Alberta Research Council. The most recently completed building in the park is the Advanced Technology Centre, a prize winning, 43,000 square foot custom-built incubator designed to support new and early-stage advanced technology enterprises.

  • Edmonton Waste Management Centre of Excellence : The EWMCE is a non-profit corporation that blends modern waste management facilities with the expertise of municipal government, leading research and educational institutions, and the private sector. The Centre serves as an innovative hub for research, technology development and training and workshops/conferences as well as consulting and advisory services in solid waste and wastewater management.

  • The Food Processing Development Centre: The Centre serves to encourage the growth and expansion of the food processing industry in highly competitive domestic and global markets. As an integral part of Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development's Processing Industry Division, the Centre is a modern, fully equipped pilot plant and product development laboratory facility. It is staffed with experienced food scientists, engineers and technologists. Centre services are designed to strengthen and expand the capability of Alberta's food processors to meet the challenges of the marketplace through application of new technology and the development of new or improved products and processes.

  • National Institute for Nanotechnology : The National Institute for Nanotechnology is Canada's leading nanotechnology research institute. This is a partnership between the National Research Council and the University of Alberta. Funded by the Government of Canada, Government of Alberta and the university, it involves researchers in physics, chemistry, engineering, biology, informatics, pharmacy and medicine. Researchers focus on the work at the nano-scale (individual atoms or molecules). It is one of the most technologically advanced research facilities in the world.

  • Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) : NSERC supports university students in their advanced studies, promotes and supports discovery research, and fosters innovation by encouraging Canadian companies to participate and invest in postsecondary research projects.

  • National Research Council (NRC) : NRC helps Canadian companies take new technologies to market. Through research collaborations and partnerships, community innovation, industry support and commercialization opportunities, Canadian firms benefit from the expertise of NRC.

  • Petroleum Technology Alliance Canada (PTAC) : PTAC is a not-for-profit association that facilitates collaborative research and technology development to improve the financial, environmental and safety performance of the Canadian upstream conventional oil and gas industry.

  • Strategic Aerospace and Defence Initiative (SADI) : SADI is a research and development funding initiative administered by the Industrial Technologies Office (ITO) of Industry Canada. The aim of the SADI program is to encourage strategic research and development from Canada’s aerospace and defence industry companies and to enhance the competitiveness of the Canadian aerospace and defence industry.

  • Telecommunications Research Labs (TRLabs) : TRLabs is the largest not-for-profit telecommunications research consortium in Canada. It is an applied research consortium based on industry, university and government collaboration focused on commercialization of telecommunications technologies.

    With headquarters in Edmonton, TRLabs is funded by the governments of Canada, Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan, with major sponsorships from the universities of Alberta, Calgary, Manitoba, Regina and Saskatchewan and a diverse mix of large and small telecommunications companies.

    Its research program is focused on five strategic areas: data networking, network access, network systems, photonics, and wireless communications. TRLabs operates a network of research laboratories in Edmonton, Calgary, Saskatoon, Regina and Winnipeg and has plans for future activity in British Columbia.

For more information on Research and Development support, please see Alberta Innovates.

Date Updated:
RDP-1649