Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - Energy Innovation Program

All FAQs only pertain to the CCUS RD&D Call – Capture Focus Area – Expression of Interest stage

• Eligibility

  1. Question: Can an organization that is the Canadian subsidiary of an internationally-based company apply?
     Answer:
     
     • Yes, provided that the organization is legally registered in Canada and the project takes place in Canada.
  2. Question: What are the eligibility requirements around intellectual property (IP)?
     Answer:
     
     • Projects are not required to have generated IP prior to applying; applicants may continue to work on IP during the course of the project.
     • Projects can use IP that already exists from outside of Canada, as long as it is licensed to the applicant for use in Canada.
     • A successful contribution agreement with NRCan will require that all IP that arises over the course of a project be vest in, or be licensed to, the proponent.
• Application Process

  3. Question: Can applicants submit more than one application?
     Answer:
     
     • Applicants can submit more than one application, provided that each application is for a distinct project with different core objectives.
  4. Question: Can applicants apply to both R&D and Demo project streams?
     Answer:
     
     • Applicants are required to select either the R&D or Demo project stream in the application, and 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 can submit one application under the Demo project stream (should they wish) that includes the various phases. The application should clearly describe the sequencing of the work and the risks associated with incremental steps not proceeding as planned (along with appropriate mitigation measures/contingency plans), as this will be a part of the evaluation.
  5. Question: Can projects include storage/sequestration and/or utilization aspects?
     Answer:
     
     • Projects submitted to the Capture focus area should place an emphasis on developing/demonstrating innovative capture solutions, in line with eligible projects in the Applicant's Guide.
     • Applicants are welcome to include information on the storage/sequestration and/or utilization aspects that may exist, if required to fully describe the impact of the capture solution.
     • Applicants to the Capture focus area can also apply to the upcoming focus areas –the Storage/Sequestration focus area is expected to be open in Fall 2022 and the Utilization focus area is expected to be open in Winter 2023.
  6. Question: Can projects involve the following organizations?
     Answer:
     
     • Federal research labs: 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.
     • International/foreign organizations: Yes, but the applicant must be legally registered in Canada.
     • Consortium: Yes, but the group needs to identify an organization to be the applicant and include the rest of the consortium members within the application.
  7. Question: Will the voluntary equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) questions be evaluated?
     Answer:
     
     • Any EDI information collected through the voluntary EDI questions will not be evaluated or scored as part of the application. However, if the project advances EDI, this information can be included in the Social and Economic Benefits section and will be evaluated.
  8. Question: Is the fillable PDF template the only accepted application format?
     Answer:
     
     • Yes, applicants must download the fillable PDF template from the Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) website and submit it as an attachment in an email to NRCan (EIP-CCUS.PIE-CUSC@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca).
  9. Question: Can applicants submit other supporting materials along with their application?
     Answer:
     
     • Applicants are encouraged to submit any letters of support they may have. No other attachments are accepted at the Expression of Interest stage.
  10. Question: Is there a specific way to calculate the projected greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions?
      Answer:
      
      • 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, using a template provided by NRCan.
  11. Question: Whom should applicants contact if there are any difficulties applying?
      Answer:
      
      • If you encounter any problems applying, please contact NRCan by email (EIP-CCUS.PIE-CUSC@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca).
• Funding

  12. Question: Does my organization need to contribute funds to the project?
      Answer:
      
      • You can request up to 75% of total project costs for R&D projects and 50% for Demonstration projects from NRCan. You will need other sources of funding to cover the remainder of the total project cost.
      • Collaboration and leveraging are strongly encouraged for all program components, and these will be included among the selection criteria. Preference will be given to projects that leverage funding from non-government sources.
  13. Question: Who should be the owner of assets to be purchased with NRCan program funds?
      Answer:
      
      • The applicant is expected to be the majority owner of assets to be purchased with NRCan program funds.
  14. Question: What are the stacking limits to funding?
      Answer:
      
      • Stacking of funding (total government support for a project) will be supported to a maximum of 100% of eligible expenditures. However, applicants will need to verify any stacking limits on other funding programs to which they may have also applied.
  15. Question: What are considered eligible and ineligible expenditures?
      Answer:
      
      • Section 3.5.5 of the Innovation and Clean Growth RD&D Programs Terms and Conditions outlines eligible and ineligible expenditures.
  16. Question: Does the program credit the proponent or reimburse after the fact?
      Answer:
      
      • Our contribution agreements are based on a reimbursement model: the proponent will spend the money up front and is reimbursed on a quarterly basis. In certain circumstances, monthly rather than quarterly reimbursement may also be possible.
• Miscellaneous

  17. Question: Can an applicant request a meeting with NRCan to discuss specific questions about their application?
      Answer:
      
      • 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).
  18. Where can I find more information about the CCUS RD&D call?
      Answer:
      
      • The presentation recording and slides provide an overview of the call.