For Alberta small and medium-sized businesses looking to adopt emerging technologies but lacking in-house research capacity, partnering with academic experts can be a powerful way to move forward. The Campus Alberta Small Business Engagement (CASBE) Program is designed to bridge that gap by connecting companies with researchers at Alberta post-secondary institutions, helping turn innovative ideas into practical, market-ready solutions.
Delivered by Alberta Innovates in partnership with the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, CASBE supports collaborative projects focused on emerging technology and data-driven innovation. Through this program, eligible Alberta-based businesses can access non-repayable funding of up to roughly $150,000 per year to offset the cost of working with university or college researchers. Projects often focus on technology adoption, applied research, or solving specific technical challenges that are holding a business back from scaling or commercializing new products or services.
CASBE is particularly relevant for SMEs that want to explore advanced technologies but need expert guidance and structured support to do so effectively. While application intakes are not always open, the program runs on a recurring basis and is reviewed for strategic fit and potential impact. For business owners interested in future intakes, funding structure, and how to build a strong research partnership, taking a closer look at the program details through GrantHub can help determine whether CASBE aligns with your innovation goals.
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