Energy Innovation Program – Frequently Asked Questions

In the interest of fairness, the program is not accepting meetings with applicants while the competitive process is open/underway. Please send your questions by email to the program mailbox (EIP-CCUS.PIE-CUSC@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca).

Applicants can submit more than one application, provided that each application is for a distinct project with distinct and different core objectives.

Applicants are required to select either the R&D or Demo project stream for each application and are required to clearly describe where their project resides in terms of stage of development based on the core objectives of the project. For multi-phase projects (e.g. projects that have both R&D and Demo aspects), applicants may submit one application under the Demo project stream that includes the various phases.

Successful applicants will not be asked to share any confidential or proprietary information. However, successful applicants that are selected for funding will be required to submit a public report, generally consisting of a description of the project, a scope of work, and project results. Furthermore, plans to support knowledge dissemination throughout and after the proposed project may be considered favourably in the evaluation of proposals.

Due to the wide range of anticipated potential projects for this call, applicants are invited to use methodologies that are most appropriate for their project to calculate the projected GHG emissions reductions. Applicants are required to clearly state and support their assumptions and will be evaluated on the coherence and robustness of their methodologies and assumptions. Applicants who are invited to the Full Project Proposal stage will be expected to provide more detailed information on projected GHG emissions reductions.

A process is deemed enhanced mineralization if the material is exposed to open air or if air is artificially circulated (e.g., using blowers). It is considered a primarily passive approach, often characterized as nature-based or hybrid, and is ineligible for the Utilization Focus Area.

A process is deemed in-situ mineralization under the EIP when carbon is retained underground rather than allowing it to be released into the atmosphere. This is considered a carbon storage approach rather than carbon utilization and is ineligible for the Utilization Focus Area.

A process is deemed ex-situ mineralization under the EIP if it involves reacting mined rocks with concentrated CO₂ to produce carbonate minerals. This approach involves the transformation of materials outside their original location, contributing to carbon storage and utilization efforts, making it eligible under the Utilization focus area.

Under the EIP, EOR and EGR are considered to result in the increased production of fossil fuels and crude oil. All projects for a CO₂ utilization pathway that result in the increased production of fossil fuels and crude oil are considered ineligible for this program.

Processes that use biological or hybrid conversion methods for CO₂ are generally considered eligible; for example, using algae to convert CO₂ into products that are used downstream. On the other hand, biological and hybrid processes that are focused on carbon removal and capture, such as biochar and enhanced mineralization or plant growth, would not be considered eligible activities under the Utilization focus area.

A project or research proposal that overlaps two or more of the focus areas may apply for this focus area; however, only components of the project/research proposal that are directly related to the Utilization focus area will be eligible for funding.

Yes, projects that are currently underway are eligible. However, both eligible and ineligible expenditures can only begin after notification of selection for funding after the Full Project Proposal (FPP) phase, marking the beginning of the Due Diligence (DD) phase. This marks the beginning of the “retroactivity period.” Upon successful completion of DD, both parties sign a contribution agreement, which marks the end of the “retroactivity period.” Proponents can claim up to 30% of NRCan’s contribution within the retroactive period.

Please note that NRCan can only reimburse expenses starting in the same fiscal year that the Contribution Agreement (CA) is signed (NRCan’s fiscal year ends March 31st).  For example, if the CA was not signed before fiscal year end, a new retroactivity period would begin and the previous fiscal year expenses can no longer be claimed.

Yes, provided that the organization is legally registered in Canada and the project takes place in Canada.

Yes, this is acceptable, even if they have already been selected for funding for another focus area under the CCUS RD&D Call, or more broadly, another call under the EIP.

Yes, but costs for services from government organizations (e.g. testing services from CANMET or National Research Council labs) are ineligible. These costs can be included in your budget as ineligible expenditures and counted towards total project cost.

Yes, but the lead applicant must be legally registered in Canada.

Applicants will need other sources of funding to cover the remainder of the total project cost. The remaining funds outside of NRCan’s contributions can come from the applicant themselves, project partners from industry, or other government funding. This funding can come in the form of cash or in-kind support. Collaboration and leveraging are strongly encouraged for all program components, and these will be included among the selection criteria. Preference may be given to projects that leverage funding from non-government sources.

In terms of stacking of other sources of funding, total funding (government and non-government sources) cannot exceed 100% of total project costs, as the Program does not allow for duplication of costs. In addition, the amount requested from NRCan cannot exceed the percentage or dollar value limits based on your project type (R&D vs. Demo). This information is available in Section 4 of the CCUS RD&D Utilization Focus Area Applicant Guide.

Stacking of government funding (total government support for a project) will be supported to a maximum of 100% of total project costs. Please note, however, that other government programs may have different stacking limits, and it is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that all applicable funding restrictions are observed.

The Program accepts in-kind contributions as part of total project costs. However, in-kind support is ineligible for reimbursement by the Program.  Typically, in-kind contributions are provided by third-party organizations rather than the applicant themselves.

Note that, in the case of academic applicants, the Program considers the applicant to be the university itself, rather than a department within the university. Therefore, use of university lab space or equipment would not be considered in-kind if it is owned by the applicant (the university). Instead, costs that would be incurred by the university, such as electricity usage for labs, purchase of materials, equipment maintenance, would be considered as an eligible expense rather than an in-kind contribution. Further, an applicant’s own salaries and benefits are not considered in-kind but would instead be considered an eligible expense.

Projects are able to have a shorter duration than the 3 to 3.5-years described in the Applicant Guide. Selected projects will have until March 31, 2028, to complete their work; however, preference will be given to projects that incur expenditures before the final year (federal fiscal year from March 31, 2027 – March 31, 2028).

The Program does not have a requirement for applicants to have specific partners, whether academic, corporate or in industry, or for the partnership to be confirmed at the time of the application. However, in order for a partnership to be considered confirmed, a letter of support must be provided.