The Net Zero Emerging Concepts and Technologies (ECT) Research Program is an R&D grant program created by Net Zero Atlantic to advance solutions needed to achieve net-zero goals in Atlantic Canada. Below are the individual application processes for the participating provinces.
Turn your idea into an ECT proposal.
Call Status: Two research calls are opening in the Fall 2025. ECT-NS opens September 29 and closes November 3 and ECT-NB opens October 6 and closes November 10.
ECT-Nova Scotia: Open Call September 29 - November 3
The ECT-NS program is designed for Nova Scotia-based research addressing the priority research themes relevant to the province. Potential applicants are required to read the applicant guide before preparing a proposal and to use the templates provide in their application. More resources and information are available in the FAQ below.
Quick Links
Turn Your Idea into a Proposal for Advancing Nova Scotia to Net Zero
Many of the solutions needed to achieve Nova Scotia's net-zero goals by 2050 will need to be invented, proven, and scaled up to achieve further reductions in GHG emissions. Emerging Concepts and Technologies Research Program - Nova Scotia (ECT-NS) is bringing critical, emerging technologies and concepts from the laboratory to the market may take decades to achieve. View the ECT-NS projects underway.
Key Dates
- August 18 to September 28 applicant preparations and consultation bookings with ECT team.
- September 29 - Call for submissions opens and formal question period begins.
- October 24 - Question period ends.
- November 3 - Call for submissions closes.
The application process for the Emerging Concept and Technologies Research Program - Nova Scotia (ECT-NS) has two stages.
Stage One - Pre-call: Before a call opens, ECT announces a pre-call. During the pre-call, applicants are encouraged to learn about the program. To help, the ECT team provides resource materials and is available for consultation bookings about the program.
Stage Two - Open Call: Following the pre-call is a formal open call for submissions. During the open call, applicants may ask questions through a formal process. At this time, applicants are expected to turn their idea in an ECT proposal.
Completed applications are to be uploaded to Sharefile prior to the closing date.
Before a call opens, applicants are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the program using the resources available.
Required reading:
- ECT-NS Applicant Guide Fall 2025 rev, ECT-NS Proposal Template Fall 2025, and ECT-NS Budget Submission Template Fall 2025.
- ECT Research Program objectives
- Nova Scotia's priority research themes.
Additional recommended resources:
- Current FAQs for ECT-NS Fall 2025.
- Webinar recordings from previous calls - Call 2 introduction, Call 1 debrief webinar
- Review the projects underway from previous calls for ECT-NS.
- Press releases announcing the ECT-NS program from June 2023 and November 2023.
Applicants are highly encouraged to use all resources provided in advance of turning an idea into a proposal.
The research call for the ECT-NS research program is now open September 29 and will close November 3, 2025. The required application forms for the ECT Research Program include an Applicant Guide, Proposal Template, and Budget Template. The required budget template for the Fall 2025 open call will be available soon.
- ECT-NS Applicant Guide Fall 2025
- ECT-NS Proposal Template Fall 2025
- ECT-NS Budget Template Fall 2025
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Questions? Comments?
Please send any inquiries about the ECT Research Program to info@netzeroatlantic.ca.
ECT-New Brunswick Research Call is Now Open, October 6 - November 10
The ECT-NB program is designed for New Brunswick-based research addressing priority research themes. The program has undertaken two open calls to date with the latest call opening October 6 and closing November 10.
Quick Links
- ECT-NB Applicant Guide - Fall 2025
- ECT-NB Proposal Submission Template
- ECT-NB Budget Submission Template
Many of the solutions needed to achieve New Brunswick's net-zero goals will need to be invented, proven, and scaled up to achieve further reductions in GHG emissions. Bringing critical, emerging technologies and concepts from the laboratory to the market may take decades to achieve.
The application process for Emerging Concepts and Technologies Research Program for (ECT-NB) has two stages.
Stage One - Pre-call: Before a call opens, ECT announces a pre-call. During the pre-call, applicants are encouraged to learn about the program. To help, the ECT team provides resource materials and is available for conversations about the program.
A pre-call period is now open from September 19 to October 5.
Stage Two - Open Call: Following the pre-call is a formal open call for submissions. During the open call, applicants may ask questions through a formal process. At this time, applicants are expected to turn their idea in an ECT proposal.
The latest open call period is October 6 to November 10.
The latest call is open as of October 6, closing November 10. Applicants are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the program using the resources available and email questions according to the instructions provided in the guidelines.
Required reading:
- ECT-NB Applicant Guide - Fall 2025, ECT-NB Proposal Submission Template, and ECT-NB Budget Submission Template.
- ECT Research Program objectives
- New Brunswick's priority research themes.
Additional recommended resources:
- Historic FAQs for ECT-NB.
- Webinar recordings from previous calls - Call 1 introduction
- Review the projects underway from previous calls for ECT-NB.
- Press release announcing the ECT-NB program from November 2023.
Applicants are highly encouraged to use all resources provided in advance of turning an idea into a proposal.
The call for submissions to the ECT-NB research program is open as of October 6, closing November 10. The required application forms for the ECT Research Program include the following:
Questions? Comments?
Please send any inquiries about the ECT Research Program to info@netzeroatlantic.ca.
ECT-Prince Edward Island
The ECT-PEI Clean Technology Challenge is designed for applicants registered in PEI. Please read the required application documents and FAQ below for more information, including more eligibility requirements in the Applicant Guide.
There are currently no open calls. The Spring 2024 call closed on May 1, 2025.
With a 2040 net-zero emissions goal in sight, Innovation PEI and Net Zero Atlantic are inviting researchers and entrepreneurs to invent, prove, and scale up solutions to reach commercial availability. Participants in the Emerging Concepts and Technologies Research Program Prince Edward Island (ECT-PEI): Clean Technology Challenge and help accelerate the process.
The application process for the Emerging Concept and Technologies Research Program PEI Clean Technology Challenge (ECT-PEI) has two stages.
Stage One - Pre-call: Before a call opens, ECT announces a pre-call. During the pre-call, applicants are encouraged to learn about the program using the resource materials and consultations provided by the ECT team.
Stage Two - Open Call: Following the pre-call is a formal open call for submissions. To support applicants in their preparations and during the open call, applicants may email questions and request a consultation during a set question period.
Before the ECT-PEI a call opens, applicants are encouraged to become familiar with the program. To help, the ECT team has created the following resources:
- Review the program objectives in the FAQ for ECT.
- Watch the webinar introducing the ECT-PEI: Clean Technology Challenge from March 20, 2025.
- Read ECT-PEI Applicant Guide for the Spring 2025 call.
- FAQ for ECT-PEI last updated April 28.
Applicants are highly encouraged to familiarize themselves with the program's objectives and priority research themes in advance of turning an idea into a proposal.
The required application forms for the ECT-PEI: Clean Technology Challenge include a completed Proposal Template and Budget Template. In preparation, we encourage all potential applicants to review the applicant guide and watch the applicant webinar from March 20.
Application Documents:
Questions? Comments?
Please send any inquiries about the ECT Research Program to info@netzeroatlantic.ca.