Alberta Investment and Growth Fund (IGF)
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Eligibility & Details
What this program funds and who can apply
Program Description
An invite-only deal-closing grant offsetting up to 50% of eligible capital expenditures ($500,000–$10,000,000) for high-impact private-sector investments that create significant new permanent jobs in Alberta. Re-funded with $45M over three years in Alberta Budget 2025 to attract and anchor major investments in manufacturing, processing, energy, and technology. Companies initiate access through designated regional or sector intake organizations — not a public application window.
Eligibility Requirements
- For-profit company that is financially sound with demonstrated operational capacity
- Investment project would not occur in Alberta without IGF support (additionality required)
- Minimum capital expenditure: $16M for metro/urban projects; $11M for rural Alberta projects
- Minimum 10 new permanent full-time jobs directly created by the project in Alberta
- Total government assistance (all sources) must not exceed 50% of eligible capital costs
- Project is in manufacturing, processing, agrifood, energy, technology, or other qualifying private-sector sector
- Invited/referred via a designated regional economic development organization or sector intake body — not an open public application
- Minimum eligible project size is substantial: ~$16M capital investment in a Census Metropolitan Area or ~$11M in rural Alberta, plus a minimum of 10 new full-time jobs. Access is by invitation / negotiation — there is no open public application window.
Quick Assessment
Funding Details
- Amount
- $500,000 to $10,000,000 (up to 50% of eligible capital expenditures)
- Type
- Grant
- Level
- Provincial
- Co-Funding
- Up to 50% of eligible costs
- Deadline
- Ongoing
Program Scorecard
Competition, effort, and approval at a glance
Everything you need to win IGF — $19
Not a marketing summary. The actual checklist, intel, and stack strategy reviewers look for.
- 7 rejection pitfalls reviewers flag — so you catch them first
- 7-document checklist with what each reviewer is actually checking
- 6-step application timeline with prep hours per step
- Insider tip from program officers on what separates winners
- 4-program stacking strategy to combine with compatible funding
- Success profile + evaluation criteria — exactly what reviewers score on
Applying for IGF? Our Financial Projections Model ($29) covers the cost-share, matching-fund, and cash-flow math reviewers want to see. Or get all 4 templates in the Founder Pack ($59 · saves $27) →
How to Win
Insider tips, common pitfalls, and what successful applicants look like
Insider TipIGF is a deal-closing tool used by the Alberta government to anchor large investments that are comparing Alberta against other jurisdictions. If you are a private-sector company with a large capital project ($16M+ capex) genuinely weighing Alberta vs. another province or country, this is the program to approach — it is designed for exactly that scenario. Do not expect a public application window; initiate contact through Alberta Jobs, Economy, Trade and Immigration (JETAI) directly, or through your regional economic development authority (e.g., Economic Development Lethbridge, Edmonton Global, Calgary Economic Development). Additionality is the hardest gate — if the project would happen in Alberta regardless, IGF will not be approved.
Rejection Pitfalls 7
- Project lacks genuine additionality — would proceed in Alberta regardless of IGF support
- Capital expenditure below minimum thresholds ($11M rural / $16M metro)
- Fewer than 10 new permanent full-time jobs created by the project
Success Profile
Private-sector manufacturing, agrifood processing, energy, or technology company evaluating a major capital investment ($16M+ capex) in Alberta that faces a genuine location decision between Alberta and another jurisdiction. Company is financially sound, can bring significant private co-funding, and will create 10+ new permanent jobs directly from the project. Strong historical operating track record preferred.
Evaluation Criteria
Projects are evaluated on additionality (would not occur in Alberta without IGF), economic impact (job creation count, quality, and wages; capital investment scale; supply-chain linkages), financial soundness of the company, project feasibility, and strategic alignment with Alberta's economic priorities (diversification, manufacturing, processing, energy transition). Discretionary approval by the Minister of Jobs, Economy, Trade and Immigration.
Application Playbook
Step-by-step process, required documents, and expenses
Application Steps
Required Documents 7
Eligible Expenses 5
- New capital equipment and machinery for the project
- Building construction or significant renovation directly related to the investment project
- Site preparation and infrastructure for the project
- Engineering and design costs for eligible capital components
- Land purchase directly required for the project (in some cases — confirm with JETAI)
Ineligible Expenses 6
- Working capital and operating costs
- Routine maintenance or equipment replacement with no productivity improvement
- Government fees, permits, and regulatory costs
- Costs incurred before the contribution agreement is signed
- Soft costs exceeding a defined proportion of total eligible capex (confirm with JETAI)
- Expenses covered by other government grants at 100%
Intake Periods
Ongoing, rolling intake via designated regional and sector intake organizations. No published application windows. Projects are evaluated and approved on a case-by-case basis within the $45M/3yr Budget 2025 envelope.
Deadline Notes
No public intake windows. Access is via designated regional and sector intake organizations that evaluate proposals on a rolling basis. The $45M/3yr Alberta Budget 2025 envelope is finite — major deal-closing grants are disbursed on a first-approved basis within the funding envelope. Contact a regional economic development office or JETAI early.
Ineligible Organizations
- Non-profit and charitable organizations
- Government bodies and Crown corporations
- Companies without a genuine Alberta location decision (no additionality)
- Retail trade, hospitality, and personal service businesses
- Companies with insufficient financial soundness or private co-financing
Funding Stack Strategy
Compatible programs, clawback risk, and combined funding potential
Compatible Programs
Clawback Risk
High RiskClawback provisions are a standard feature of IGF contribution agreements. If the company fails to create and maintain the committed number of permanent full-time jobs within the agreed period (typically 3–5 years), the grant is repayable on a pro-rated basis. Capital expenditure shortfalls relative to commitments also trigger partial repayment. Full clawback if the project is abandoned or relocated outside Alberta.
How IGF Compares
Side-by-side with similar programs
| Program | Amount | Difficulty | Payment | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alberta Investment and Growth Fund (IGF) | $500,000 to $10,000,000 | Hard | Milestone-Based | Ongoing |
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