Campus Alberta Small Business Engagement (CASBE) Program

Insider Tip

CASBE is structured to move through NSERC's Alliance proposal process — meaning the academic partner is doing most of the proposal writing. The best strategy for an SME is to identify a Campus Alberta researcher who already works in a related technical domain before approaching Alberta Innovates. A cold introduction to a researcher through Alberta Innovates takes significantly longer than approaching a researcher directly through university technology transfer offices, which often maintain SME partnership matching lists. Alberta Innovates program advisors will also help match SMEs with suitable researchers if requested.

Success Profile

An Alberta SME in manufacturing, technology, energy, or clean-tech with an identified operational challenge that can be addressed through applied research. Strong candidates have an existing relationship or preliminary contact with a Campus Alberta researcher, can contribute meaningful cash matching (typically 25–50% of project cost), and have management capacity to engage with the research process over 1–2 years.

Evaluation Criteria

Proposals are evaluated by Alberta Innovates on alignment with Alberta's Technology and Innovation Strategy, the quality of the industry-academic partnership, potential for commercial impact, and the SME's capacity to engage in and benefit from the research. NSERC applies its Alliance evaluation criteria in parallel, assessing the scientific merit of the research, the qualification of the academic team, and the potential for knowledge generation. Projects that clearly connect research outcomes to real business adoption challenges score highest on both reviews.

Application Steps

Required Documents 7

Eligible Expenses 5

• Academic researcher and HQP (graduate student, postdoc) salaries at the institution
• Research equipment and materials at the institution
• Travel related to the research collaboration
• Knowledge dissemination activities (conference presentations, reports)
• SME cash contribution (toward eligible project costs per NSERC Alliance rules)

Ineligible Expenses 5

• Direct SME employee salaries (not covered by CASBE — only institution-side costs)
• SME capital equipment purchases (not eligible under NSERC Alliance for the industry partner)
• Marketing or commercialization activities
• Clinical trials or Health Canada regulatory approval costs
• Overhead and administration at the SME level

Intake Periods

Intake windows are episodic — the most recent registration period closed November 6, 2025. New intake openings are announced on the Alberta Innovates website. Typically 1–2 intake rounds per fiscal year.

Deadline Notes

The most recent intake registration closed November 6, 2025. The program is expected to open again for the next cycle; check albertainnovates.ca for updated timelines. Contact Alberta Innovates directly to be placed on notification lists for upcoming intakes.

Open Application Portal →

Ineligible Organizations

• Non-Alberta SMEs
• Large enterprises (program targets SMEs, though no strict employee cap is published)
• Non-profit organizations (program targets for-profit SMEs)
• Government entities
• Post-secondary institutions (they are partners, not applicants)

Compatible Programs

Clawback Risk

Medium Risk

If the project does not proceed as planned or the SME fails to deliver its matching contribution, the funding agreement may require repayment of amounts disbursed. Standard Alberta Innovates terms apply.