Each proposal will be reviewed internally to determine if it is eligible and complete before it is reviewed by an independent panel of industry professionals. The panel will meet to discuss the proposals and rank them using the weighted scoring matrix. Please note: the program does not fund costs associated with the production or export of softwood lumber products.
Criteria
Weighting
% of total
Eligible and Complete?
- Is the business eligible per the program guidelines?
- Is the proposal complete with a clear connection to at least one program objective and one category of incremental innovation, is the budget complete, does it include a project timeline with milestones, KPIs / measurable outcomes, and are the activities eligible?
- Does the proponent commit to cash cost-share?
Yes / No
Incremental Innovation
Incrementality is the highest-weighted single criterion, and the core differentiator from the BDP. ISP is not a general equipment subsidy it is support for investments that go beyond what you would do on your own.
Does the proposal explain the incremental and innovative aspects of the capital investment and why this is necessary.
Does the proposal clearly identify which incrementality category applies: Scale-Up, Acceleration, or Capability Jump?
- Is the counterfactual credible? What would the company do without ISP support, and why is that less?
- For Scale-Up: what is the difference between the equipment you would buy and what ISP enables?
- For Acceleration: what is the original timeline, and how much does ISP pull it forward?
- For Capability Jump: why can’t the company justify this investment independently?
- Does your proposal expand the use of underutilized Alberta species such as Aspen?
- Is there supporting evidence (quotes, capital plans, board minutes, financing constraints)?
20
Amount of Funding Request / Budget
- Have you demonstrated a cost-effective approach with clear value-for-money?
- Have you already invested in the project? Has funding been secured for the project, including third-party funding, if not, what is your plan?
- The use and submission of the Budget Template is mandatory.
15
Project Description
Does the proposal provide enough information for reviewers to assess it?
Does it explain the difference the project will make? A new CNC router doesn’t need 3 pages of description – what matters is why it’s incremental.
15
Outputs / Deliverables / Impacts
- Will the capital investment project produce measurable capacity / capability change? This is where economic impact benefits to Alberta should be quantified.
- Have you included baseline data to support your measurable outcomes or KPIs?
15
Proponent / Owner Profile and expertise
Does the project team have the experience and capacity to carry out the capital investment project?
10
Project Objectives
- Are the objectives clear and achievable, given the proposed budget, plan, and timeline?
- Will the project expand manufacturing capacity to meet demand; or improve productivity, efficiency, or product quality through better equipment and automation; or enable production of new or improved wood products, systems, or specifications; or reduce exposure to market cycles by diversifying product mix and end markets; and create and retain skilled manufacturing jobs in Alberta?
- Will the project result in the commercialization of an underutilized Alberta species such as Aspen?
10
Background / rationale for proposed project
- Are the drivers clearly explained and compelling?
- Does the capital investment address a clear need?
10
Timeline & Milestones
- Are the timeline and milestones reasonable and achievable?
- Can the project be completed by March 31, 2028?
5
Weighted Total
