Energy Innovation Program – Carbon capture, utilization and storage RD&D Call – Utilization Focus Area (Applicant Guide Summary)

Status: Closed

Utilization focus area

Under the broader CCUS RD&D call, this focus area aims to support the research, development, and demonstration (RD&D) of CO₂ utilization technologies that have the potential to significantly and meaningfully reduce the costs, as well as the energy and carbon intensity, of CO₂ conversion and utilization into viable products and commodities for long-term or permanent sequestration of CO₂ at a large scale.

This may be achieved through design of new and novel processes; development of advanced low-cost materials; improvement in process intensification and energy efficiency; and/or permanence of CO₂ sequestration.

Eligibility

The call is open to the following eligible Canadians:

1. Legal entities validly incorporated or registered in Canada, including:
   • For-profit and not-for-profit organizations;
   • Community groups; and
   • Canadian academic institutions.
2. Provincial, territorial, regional, and municipal governments and their departments and agencies where applicable.
3. Indigenous:
   For the purposes of the Applicant Guide, the term “Indigenous” is understood to include Inuit, Métis, First Nation, Status Indian, and non-Status Indian individuals, or any combination thereof.
   • Indigenous communities or governments;
   • Tribal Councils or entities that fulfill a similar function (e.g., general council);
   • National and regional Indigenous councils and tribal organizations; and
   • Indigenous (majority-owned and controlled by Indigenous people) for-profit and not-for-profit organizations.

Funding

The minimum and maximum contribution dollar amounts, maximum contribution percentage, maximum government stacking percentage and project life are outlined in the table below:

Project Type	Maximum Contribution Percentage (% of Total Project Cost)	Minimum Program Contribution	Maximum Program Contribution	Maximum Government Stacking Percentage	Project Life*
R&D	75%	$250,000	$700,000	100%	3 to 3.5 years
Demonstration	50%	$500,000	$2,000,000

*Note: Project start date will be defined during due diligence in the event that an applicant is selected for funding. Project end date will be March 31, 2028. For more information on eligible expenditure periods, see the Applicant Guide.

IMPORTANT: Details on eligibility and funding can be found in the Applicant Guide. Applicants are encouraged to download and read through the guide to determine eligibility.

How to apply

The project selection process for this intake has two phases:

• Expression of Interest (EOI) phase, open to all eligible applicants
• Full Project Proposal (FPP) phase, open to invited applicants only

To apply, applicants must complete and submit their Expression of Interest (EOI) via the application portal by 3:00 p.m. PST on February 23, 2024.

Applicants are responsible for ensuring that they meet the eligibility criteria and that their EOI is fully completed and successfully submitted by the deadline.

NRCan reserves the right to apply the following additional criteria when selecting projects at the EOI and FPP stages:

Projects that support departmental priorities such as regional balance in Canada, advancing inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility (IDEA) in the natural resources sector, and socio-economic considerations.

Information Sessions

Recordings now available! Virtual information sessions were hosted in January 2024 to offer guidance on the application process and provide an avenue for interested applicants to ask questions in a live Q&A format.

View recording

Next steps and timelines

The following timelines are anticipated for the call. NRCan, at its sole discretion, reserves the right to modify these anticipated timelines.

Steps	Dates
Open for EOI Applications	December 5, 2023
Deadline for EOI Applications	February 23, 2024 3:00 p.m. PST
Notification of EOI Results	Spring 2024
Deadline for FPP Submissions	Summer 2024
Project Selection/Notification	Fall 2024
Due Diligence	Winter 2024/2025
Negotiation and Signing of Contribution Agreements	Winter/Spring 2025

Contact us

For any questions regarding the call, please contact NRCan at eip-ccus.pie-cusc@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca. During regular operations, NRCan will strive to respond within two business days.

For technical support with the Applicant Portal, please contact oerdportal-portailbrde@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca.