“We expect to see an increased interest in the voucher program in the second round,” said Doug Horner, Minister of Advanced Education and Technology. “Companies have said this program is just what they need to bring their ideas to market and have started sharing their success stories with others. Small companies are important to job creation and to building Alberta’s next generation economy.”

This is the second time applications will be accepted under this popular program. In April, 179 companies from across Alberta were awarded vouchers totaling more than $5 million. Companies may qualify for innovation vouchers of up to $10,000 or up to $50,000 to cover up to 75 per cent of eligible project costs including specialized technical and professional services. The voucher must be used within nine months of issue at approved service providers including at labs, fabrication centres, business development centres and other organizations supporting innovation.

For more information, potential applicants may attend a video-conferenced information session or visit www.technology.gov.ab.ca. Applications may also be downloaded from this website and will be accepted from October 26 to November 20, 2009. Vouchers will be awarded to successful applicants early in 2010.

This two-year pilot program, launched in November 2008, is intended for small-sized companies operating in Alberta with innovative projects in emerging sectors including biotechnology, health, energy, environmental technologies, information and communications technology and industrial technologies. This program and the other strategies under Alberta’s Action Plan: Bringing Technology to Market are helping build Alberta’s next generation economy.