Overview
Accelerating Methane Emissions Reduction Technologies: A $9MM Opportunity for Cleantech Innovators
The Methane Reduction Demonstration Program will make it easier for energy technology startups to validate and refine their methane reduction solutions through pilot demonstrations within energy company operations. By providing a unified access point for industry and Alberta government funding, energy technology startups can fast-track their methane solutions from development to market impact.
Delivered through the NGIF Accelerator Industry Grants program, the Methane Reduction Demonstration Program is a $9MM competition inviting applications from startups and SMEs. The program is supported by $7 MM in funding from the Government of Alberta and $3 MM in matching industry contributions, providing a significant opportunity to advance methane reduction technologies across the natural gas value chain.
Applicants may receive up to $750,000 per project through a combination of industry and TIER funding, covering up to 75% of eligible costs. Selected recipients may also have the opportunity to demonstrate their technologies across multiple operator sites, accelerating market validation, strengthening operator confidence, and driving adoption across Alberta’s energy industry.
This program complements Emissions Reduction Alberta’s (ERA) Methane Reduction Deployment Program, forming part of a joint Methane Reduction Program supported by the Government of Alberta through its Technology Innovation and Emissions Reduction (TIER) fund. Under this program, NGIF Accelerator leads the Demonstration Program, while ERA oversees the Deployment Program.
The submission deadline is January 31st at 7:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST). Funding decisions will be announced in July 2026.
Webinar
Deadline
January 31
Apply before 7:00 p.m. (ET)
Application Documents
Download the Eligible Expenses and Cost
Who Should Apply?
The Methane Reduction Demonstration Program is a global call for applications from startups and SMEs developing methane emissions reduction or measurement technologies for upstream, midstream, and downstream oil and natural gas facilities. With multiple intakes, the program provides ongoing opportunities for innovators worldwide. Cohort I is now open and will accept applications until January.
- International Applicants: By applying to this competition, international applicants will have the opportunity to showcase their solutions to Canadian natural gas energy industry leaders and potential customers and receive direct industry feedback, mentoring, and project funding support. Refer to the intake guidelines for more details.
- How to Apply: Click the Apply button to access the Industry Grants program application portal. Complete the required information, and if you have any questions, please reach out to our team.
Why Participate?
Canada is the 5th largest natural gas producer. Joining the Methane Reduction Demonstration Program provides you with the opportunity to:
- Validate technology performance: Test and demonstrate near-commercial solutions (TRL 7–9) under real operating conditions.
- Access funding and strategic industry partnerships: Accelerate technologies that detect, quantify, and reduce methane emissions through strategic partnerships with industry leaders.
- Build visibility and credibility: Showcase your innovation to leading Canadian energy producers committed to advancing methane reduction.
- Deliver measurable impact: Support Alberta and Canada’s leadership in achieving meaningful, scalable reductions in methane emissions and advancing cleaner energy solutions.
Special Acknowledgement
We gratefully acknowledge the Government of Alberta Environment and Protected Areas for their support and funding through the Technology Innovation and Emissions Reduction (TIER) Fund. The TIER regulation is Alberta’s industrial carbon pricing and emissions trading system. It helps industrial facilities find innovative ways to reduce emissions and invest in clean technology to stay competitive and save money.
- The technologies include, but are not limited to, vapour recovery units, storage tank emissions control, methane capture solutions, compressor seal improvements, low-bleed/zero emission pneumatics, remote power solutions, flare reduction, surface casing vent flow (SCVF), intermittent destruction technologies.
- For detailed information on the criteria, review the intake guidelines document here
- The technologies include, but are not limited to, top-down technologies and land-based technologies.
- For detailed information on the criteria, review the intake guidelines document here
Each application will go through a rigorous stage-gated assessment and selection process to identify more eligible and deserving technologies that meet the needs of the operators and can be moved for demonstration and adoption. Please refer to the guidelines documents in the right-hand corner of the page that can be downloaded.
- Novel technologies that improve the natural gas industry's environmental and economic performance compared to current technologies.
- Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 7 or higher technologies. This call for proposals targets projects that advance clean technologies at Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 7 to 9. Projects at TRL 6 may also be considered if they demonstrate a clear, accelerated path to commercialization. Please refer to the intake guidelines for more details.
- Applicants, both global and domestic, without a prior presence in Canada must demonstrate how their proposed project, commercialization plan, and market strategy will lead to deploying solutions in Canada, especially in Alberta. Please refer to the intake guidelines for more details.
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are non-subsidiary, independent technology development firms that employ fewer than 500 employees.
- Technology development startups are non-subsidiary, independent technology development firms that employ fewer than 100 employees, generate less than CAD $25 million in annual revenues, and are focused on developing and scaling up pre-commercial technologies.
The NGIF Accelerator Industry Grants (IG) program was created to accelerate cleantech innovations throughout the natural gas value chain. The program's mandate is to fill technology development gaps in the sector and invest in enabling solutions for current and emerging industry challenges.
- Our mission is to advance clean technologies that improve environmental outcomes, boost economic competitiveness, and eliminate or reduce barriers to sustainability.
- NGIF Accelerator currently operates the Industry Grants (IG) program.
- The IG program exists to support Canada’s natural gas industry with non-dilutive funding to identify emerging innovations and support their development and scale-up to commercialize them.
- The IG program enables validation and customer creation to give startup organizations the final push for market adoption.
- The IG program supports the development, demonstration, and de-risking of clean technology solutions for the natural gas industry through field trials and pilot projects to drive innovation and support environmental goals in Canada.
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At NGIF, we invest in companies who are leading in the development of clean technologies for energy and who have the potential to demonstrate significant and quantifiable environmental and economic returns.
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