Research and development related to crop sector

• Canola research at the Phytola Alberta Innovates Centre
• Over the last three decades, AI Bio has helped to fund more than 500 crop-related research projects.  Read the final reports and abstracts by searching for crop* OR grain* in AI Bio's research project database at http://biolink.albertainnovates.ca/
• AITF Biochar Program

Programs for producers and processors

Alberta Innovation Voucher program - Small Alberta-based companies, including agricultural and agri-food producers and processors, foresters, innovators in municipal solid waste or bioproducts, researchers with small companies and others in Alberta's life sciences sector, may qualify for an Alberta Innovation Voucher of up to $15,000 or up to $50,000 to cover up to 75 per cent of eligible project costs.

USDA Biopreferred program - Canadians who produce bioproducts, whether it be canola oil lubricants or construction materials made from hemp, are eligible to register for a U.S. government program called BioPreferred

AITF Bioresource technologies - fee for service R&D

Alberta Biomaterials Development Centre - workshops, access to business and technical services

AIBIO Sustainable Production - targeted R&D on agricultural sustainable production in collaboration with industry and academia

Success stories

(August 2012) Biological Reduction of Greenhouse Gas Emissions
The Climate Change and Emissions Management (CCEMC) Corporation has recently partnered with AI Bio to discover, develop and deploy management strategies for biological greenhouse gas emissions.

(April 2012) Alberta Biomaterials Development Centre puts welcome mat out to industry      
Alberta has a strong desire to advance its bio-economy. As part of its strategy, the province has created the Alberta Biomaterials Development Centre (ABDC) to help the forest and agriculture industries resolve any technical issues, to help them move closer toward investing in new bio-products

(January 2012) AI Bio aims to 'connect the dots' for potential biomass industry investors
Companies and investors will soon have a better 'current state' profile of biomass availability in Alberta through an investment by Alberta Innovates Bio Solutions (AI Bio) into the development of a unique, world-class information management system.

(October 2011) Randall Weselake 2011 ASTech Awards (Video)
Dr. Randall Weselake, honouree for a 2011 ASTech Award, leads AI Bio's Phytola Alberta Innovates Centre based at the University of Alberta.  The emphasis of his research is on increasing the seed oil content in major oilseed crops like canola. Read his talent profile.

Links 

Alberta Innovates  - is an alliance of organizations with a legislative mandate from the Government of Alberta to further research and innovation in the province and reports to Minister of Alberta Enterprise and Advanced Education.

Alberta Innovates Bio Solutions - works with partners to identify, coordinate and fund research projects to grow prosperity in Alberta's agriculture, food and forest sectors.  Agriculture and forestry are the province's leading renewable industries that currently contribute more than $25 billion every year into the Alberta economy.  We provide leadership and coordination in these sectors for science and innovation that supports the economic, environmental, and social well being of Albertans. Our aim is to support the development of new products and processes  to increase competitiveness, develop new markets and grow companies. Our priority areas related to agriculture include: Sustainable production, Bioeconomy, Quality Food for Health, Ecosystem services, and Prion diseases.

Alberta Innovates Technology Futures - supports research and innovation activities directed at the growth and development of technology-based sectors, the commercialization of technology, the provision of business and technical services, and initiatives that encourage a strong science, technology and entrepreneurial culture in Alberta.

Bioeconomy Alberta - a network of key people & organizations supporting, coordinating & partnering in bioinnovation. With a strong knowledge and innovation base in biomaterials, biochemicals and bioenergy, Alberta's BioEconomy represents new opportunity in Alberta's rich resource sector.