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Before you apply

ElevateIP Alberta funding is competitive, particularly for implementation streams, where approximately 10% of applicants may receive funding. Before starting an application, review the information below carefully to determine whether your business and proposed IP project are eligible, ready and aligned with the program. 
Meeting the eligibility requirements does not guarantee funding. Applications are assessed based on the strength of the proposed project, the applicant’s readiness and alignment with program objectives.
The information contained on this page is designed to help you understand how ElevateIP Alberta evaluates applications, and what the application and evaluation process entails.

Who can apply?

To be eligible for ElevateIP Alberta funding, applicants must meet the program’s general eligibility requirements:

  • Have fewer than 500 employees
  • Have less than $10 million in annual recurring revenue
  • Have been in business for less than 10 years
  • Be incorporated and meet the required Canadian Controlled Private Corporation (CCPC) definition
  • Be headquartered in Alberta and have an Alberta-based business number
  • Have a high-growth-potential, innovation-backed business model
  • Meet the minimum Innovation Readiness requirements as set out by the ElevateIP Alberta program

Who should not apply?

ElevateIP Alberta funding may not be the right next step for every business. Before applying, make sure your business has a clear IP need, is ready to complete the proposed work and meets the program’s eligibility and readiness requirements.

You may be better served by education or earlier-stage support if you: 

  • Are still learning what intellectual property means for your business
  • Do not yet have a clearly defined IP project or clear next step
  • Do not meet the program’s eligibility or Innovation Readiness requirements
  • Are seeking funding to cover your entire long-term IP journey
  • Are not prepared to invest in IP activities beyond the initial ElevateIP Alberta award

Earlier-stage innovators and SME’s can explore IP Education, connect with a CIPO IP Advisor, or meet with an IP Coach to build their knowledge and readiness before applying.

Explore IP Education

What makes a strong application?

ElevateIP Alberta funding is competitive. Applications are reviewed based on the quality of the application, the scalability of the business and the applicant’s Innovation Readiness.

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Application Quality

The application is clear, complete and provides enough detail to understand the business, proposed project and expected outcomes.

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Business Scalability

The business demonstrates the potential to grow through new customers, markets, products, partnerships, licensing or other scalable opportunities.

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Innovation Readiness

The business has reached an appropriate stage of development and is ready to benefit from IP strategy, protection or commercialization support.

What else does ElevateIP Alberta consider?

When reviewing applications, ElevateIP Alberta aims to:

  • Support a diverse range of businesses and industries
  • Help businesses take meaningful early steps in their IP journey
  • Fund projects with clear objectives, realistic costs and a plan for continued IP investment
  • Support program priorities, including post-secondary institution-affiliated businesses and underrepresented founders

ElevateIP Alberta funding is not intended to cover a business’s entire IP journey or all future protection, filing, registration and maintenance costs. Applicants should understand the full cost of their proposed IP activities and be prepared to support future work beyond the initial award.

Application Period

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

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Application & Review

Applications are accepted during the scheduled intake window, and all required documents must be submitted before the deadline. Applications are then reviewed, funding decisions are issued, and successful applicants complete onboarding, the funding agreement, and scope-of-work process.

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Project Period

Approved activities are completed within the project timeline outlined in the funding agreement. Work completed before project approval or outside the approved project period will not be eligible.

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Close-Out & Payment

Applicants submit the required final documents, invoices, and project information. Eligible expenses are reviewed and approved before payment is issued.

Prepare to Apply

Understand the application process, review the resources for your funding stream, and make sure you’re ready before starting your application.

Application Process

Selecting Start Your Application will take you to the secure application portal. Follow the steps below based on your application history.

New applicants

1. Create your profile.
2. Select the funding stream that best fits your project.
3. Complete the application form and upload all required supporting documents.
4. Review and submit your application.

Returning funding recipients

1. Log in and update your profile.
2. Review your IP Strategy Competitiveness requirements.
3. Make any required updates.
4. Complete the application form and upload all required supporting documents.
5. Review and submit your application.

Prepare your application

Use the resources for your funding stream to understand the application requirements, prepare strong responses and make sure your submission is complete.

Application Guide (PDF)
What you need to know before completing your application.
[Download Application Guide]

Application Template (DOCX)
Review the application questions and prepare your responses in advance.
[Download Application Template]

IP Strategy Checklist (PDF)
[Download IP Strategy Checklist]

Strengthening Your IP Strategy (PDF)
[Download Strengthening Your IP Strategy]

IP Strategy Guidelines (PDF)
[Download IP Strategy Guidelines]

Ready to start your application?

Before you begin, make sure you:

  • Meet the eligibility requirements.
  • Know which funding stream you are applying to.
  • Meet the required Innovation Readiness level.
  • Understand the required co-investment for your stream.
  • Have the required supporting documents.
  • Download & Review our application examples:
  • Understand the full cost of your planned IP activities and are prepared to support future work.
  • Are ready to complete the proposed work within the approved project timeline.
Start Your Application

Funding Stream FAQ's

Can I receive an award more than once?

Yes, businesses may receive funding through multiple funding streams, provided they meet the eligibility requirements for each stream. 

  • IP Strategy and Activation: Businesses may receive each award once. 
  • Protection & Portfolio and Conversion: Businesses may receive these awards more than once; however, repeat applications may be more competitive, particularly if you have previously received ElevateIP Alberta funding. 
Why does the program require incorporation?

ElevateIP Alberta funding is intended to support IP owned by the business, rather than by an individual founder. Incorporation helps establish clear company ownership and ensures that any IP filed or registered through the program can be assigned to the company. 

If I don’t receive funding this round, can I apply again?

Yes. If your application is unsuccessful, you may apply again in a future intake. 

What if I want to complete both a new filing and a conversion?

Apply through the Protection & Portfolio stream. If you are completing a conversion alongside other filing activities, the conversion is considered a portfolio development activity. 

Applications with conversion costs only should apply through the Conversion stream, while applications that include new filings should apply through Protection & Portfolio. 

What if I’m only looking for support with drafting or prosecution costs, without filing or registration?

ElevateIP Alberta prioritizes projects that result in formal IP filing or registration. Projects focused only on drafting or prosecution, without progressing toward a filing or registration, may not be prioritized for funding. 

Can I apply for two funding streams at the same time?

No. You may only apply to one funding stream at a time. 

IP Coach requests are not considered a funding stream and can be accessed while you are preparing or submitting a funding application. 

How does the program co-investment work? What does my company need to pay?

Each implementation stream requires a mandatory co-investment from the applicant. ElevateIP Alberta will contribute up to the maximum award amount, and your company is responsible for the required co-investment. 

For example, under the Activation Stream, a 10% co-investment is required: 

  • Maximum award: $5,000 
  • Required co-investment: $500 
  • Total eligible project cost: $5,500 

If the full award amount is not used, your required co-investment will be calculated based on the final eligible project cost. 

Your company is also responsible for paying any applicable taxes and ineligible expenses, which are not included in the total eligible project cost. 

If I’m awarded funding, do I need to use the full award amount?

No. Your project can be smaller than the maximum award amount. If your approved scope of work costs less, the award and required co-investment will be adjusted accordingly. 

What is a CCPC designation?

The corporation is a Canadian-Controled Private Corporation if it meets all of the following requirements at the end of the tax year: 

  • it is a private corporation 
  • it is a corporation that was resident in Canada and was either incorporated in Canada or resident in Canada from June 18, 1971, to the end of the tax year 
  • it is not controlled directly or indirectly by one or more non-resident persons 
  • it is not controlled directly or indirectly by one or more public corporations (other than a prescribed venture capital corporation, as defined in Regulation 6700 of the Income Tax Regulations) 
  • it is not controlled by a Canadian resident corporation that lists its shares on a designated stock exchange outside of Canada 
  • it is not controlled directly or indirectly by any combination of persons described in the three previous conditions 
  • if all of its shares that are owned by a non-resident person, by a public corporation (other than a prescribed venture capital corporation), or by a corporation with a class of shares listed on a designated stock exchange were owned by one person, that person would not own sufficient shares to control the corporation 
  • no class of its shares of capital stock is listed on a designated stock exchange 
What is a “Full IP Strategy”?

A full IP Strategy meets all ElevateIP Alberta IP Strategy criteria and has been developed in collaboration with, or reviewed by, a qualified IP strategist or IP lawyer. 

Can I apply using a spinout company or subsidiary?

Yes. However, the applicant must be the incorporated entity that will own the IP being funded. Any IP filed or registered through ElevateIP Alberta must be assigned to the business number of the organization applying for funding. 

Can I use the IP Strategy from a previous ElevateIP Alberta project to apply?

Yes. When you log in to the application portal as a returning applicant, you will see the competitiveness rating of your previous IP Strategy. 

If your strategy is rated Not Competitive or Competitive, we recommend updating it before applying. A Very Competitive is more likely to support a strong application.