Funding Streams – elevateip-ab

Find the right funding stream for your IP needs

ElevateIP Alberta provides funding to help eligible Alberta innovators and SME’s understand, protect and strategically use their intellectual property.

Different funding streams support innovators and SME’s at different stages of their IP journey. Funding is competitive, particularly for implementation streams, where approximately 10% of applicants may receive funding. Applicants are encouraged to build their IP knowledge, assess their readiness with a Business Accelerator, Incubator or Ecosystem Navigator, and carefully review the eligibility and evaluation criteria before applying.

How to Apply

What kind of support do you need?

Start here to find the funding stream that fits where you are today.

I'm still learning about IP

You are exploring what IP means for you and your business or are not yet ready for funding.

Explore IP Education

I need a full IP strategy

You need a comprehensive assessment of your assets, risks, opportunities and priorities.

IP Strategy

I have a targeted IP project

You need support for specific non-patent protection, commercialization, or eligible early-stage IP activities.

IP Activation

I am ready to protect or build my IP portfolio

You have a comprehensive IP strategy and are ready for more protection and portfolio-building work.

Protection and Portfolio

I need to advance an existing patent application

You have an eligible provisional or PCT application that needs to move to the next stage.

Conversion

I have a specific IP-related question

You need help navigating specific industry-specific IP questions, or would like to have high-level IP strategy discussions.

IP Coaching

Compare the funding streams

IP Strategy

Best suited for Developing a comprehensive IP strategy

Funding Up to $10,000

Co-investment 0%

Award limit 1

IP Activation

Best suited for Targeted non-patent and eligible early-stage IP work

Funding Up to $5,000

Co-investment 10%

Award limit 1

Protection & Portfolio

Best suited for New protection and portfolio-building activities

Funding Up to $25,000

Co-investment 35%

Award limit No limit

Conversion

Best suited for Advancing existing patent applications

Funding Up to $10,000

Co-investment 35%

Award limit No limit

ElevateIP Alberta can provide a maximum of $100k CAD in funding per company

Explore the full funding stream details

Review the options below to understand the purpose, funding level, requirements and typical activities for each stream.

IP Strategy

Build the foundation for future IP protection and commercialization.

Funding: Up to $10,000
Co-Investment: 0%
Award limit: 1

Best suited for

Businesses ready to begin formal IP planning but that do not yet have a full IP strategy
Businesses with important or multiple IP assets
Applicants that need to assess and prioritize IP risks, opportunities and next steps
Businesses preparing for future protection, commercialization or portfolio-building work

Typical activities

- IP inventory or IP audit
- Prior art and trademark searches
- IP protection strategies
- IP operating systems
- IP-related agreements

What to know

Funding is limited to strategy development activities. It does not cover IP application drafting, filing, registration or other implementation work.

For businesses that are ready, developing a comprehensive IP Strategy is often the first step before pursuing implementation funding.

IP Activation

Advance a clearly defined, targeted IP project.

Funding: Up to $5,000
Co-investment: 10%
Award limit: 1

Best suited for

Businesses with a clearly defined, targeted IP project.
Applicants pursuing trademark registration, IP searches or IP-related agreements.
Businesses completing eligible non-patent protection or commercialization activities.
Applicants that do not require development of a comprehensive IP strategy.

Typical activities

Prior art and trademark searches
Trademark registrations
Copyright registrations
IP-related agreements

What to know

This stream is best suited to smaller, targeted implementation projects. It does not support patent application drafting, filing, conversion or prosecution activities.

Businesses that still need to assess their broader IP assets, risks and priorities may be better suited for the IP Strategy stream.

Protection & Portfolio

Support new IP protection and broader portfolio development.

Funding: Up to $25,000
Co-investment: 35%
Award limit: No limit

Best suited for

Businesses with a current, comprehensive IP strategy
Applicants preparing to file their first patent application
Businesses pursuing new patent filings or portfolio-building activities
Applicants completing significant trade secret, licensing or other IP protection work

Typical activities

Patent and industrial design drafting and filing.
Trademark drafting and registration.
Licensing agreements.
Eligible patent prosecution or responses to office actions when completed as part of broader portfolio development and accompanied by a new application or filing.

What to know

This stream is intended for new intellectual property protection and portfolio development activities.

Businesses that still need to assess and prioritize their broader IP needs may be better suited for the IP Strategy stream.

Conversion

Advance eligible existing patent applications to the next stage of protection.

Funding: Up to $10,000
Co-investment: 35%
Award limit: No limit

Best suited for

Businesses with an existing provisional or PCT patent application
Applicants preparing to advance an application to the next filing stage
Businesses seeking support with eligible conversion and related patent costs
Applicants with a clear conversion plan and timeline that fits within ElevateIP Alberta project timelines

Typical activities

Patent drafting and filing activities related to conversions

What to know

Funding is intended for activities related to existing patent applications or patent assets. Preference is given to immediate conversion activities.

IP Coaching

IP Coaches provide free, one-on-one business advice with an IP lens. They can help you identify IP considerations, explore opportunities and risks, and think through how IP fits within your broader business strategy.

Best suited for

Businesses looking for practical, business-focused IP advice
Entrepreneurs with industry-specific IP questions
Applicants looking to identify IP risks, opportunities, or next steps
Businesses preparing for an IP strategy or implementation project
Entrepreneurs who want help applying IP strategically within their business

This stream requires participants to meet all ElevateIP Alberta eligibility requirements, including incorporation.

Not sure you're funding-ready?

Not every business is ready to apply for ElevateIP Alberta funding. You may benefit from IP education or support from an IP Coach if you are still building your IP knowledge, identifying your assets or determining your protection priorities.

Consider starting with IP Education or an IP Coach if you:

Are still exploring intellectual property and protection options
Need help identifying your IP assets, risks or next steps
Do not yet meet funding-stream eligibility or readiness requirements
Want foundational IP knowledge before developing a strategy or beginning implementation work

Explore IP Education Meet with an IP Coach Meet with a CIPO IP Advisor

Think you've found the right stream?

Before starting an application, review the eligibility requirements, Innovation Readiness requirements, evaluation criteria, application timeline and required supporting documents.

ElevateIP Alberta will have two calls for applications in Fiscal Year 2026-2027:

Call for Applications 1: August 31 – September 30, 2026

Call for Applications 2: November 2 – December 1, 2026

Learn how to apply

Find the right funding stream for your IP needs

ElevateIP Alberta provides funding to help eligible Alberta innovators and SME’s understand, protect and strategically use their intellectual property.

What kind of support do you need?

I'm still learning about IP

I need a full IP strategy

I have a targeted IP project

I am ready to protect or build my IP portfolio

I need to advance an existing patent application

I have a specific IP-related question

Compare the funding streams

Explore the full funding stream details

Review the options below to understand the purpose, funding level, requirements and typical activities for each stream.

IP Strategy

Funding: Up to $10,000 Co-Investment: 0% Award limit: 1

IP Activation

Funding: Up to $5,000 Co-investment: 10% Award limit: 1

Protection & Portfolio

Funding: Up to $25,000 Co-investment: 35% Award limit: No limit

Conversion

Funding: Up to $10,000 Co-investment: 35% Award limit: No limit

IP Coaching

Not sure you're funding-ready?

Think you've found the right stream?

Funding: Up to $10,000
Co-Investment: 0%
Award limit: 1

Funding: Up to $5,000
Co-investment: 10%
Award limit: 1

Funding: Up to $25,000
Co-investment: 35%
Award limit: No limit

Funding: Up to $10,000
Co-investment: 35%
Award limit: No limit