Clean Transportation System – Research and Development Program (CTS-RD): Applicant’s Guide

From: Transport Canada

Technological advancements are expected to play a significant role in de-coupling transportation-related greenhouse gas (GHG) and air pollutant emissions from economic growth, ultimately supporting the sector’s contribution to meeting Canada’s climate change goals.

The Clean Transportation System Research and Development Program (CTS-RD) supports needed research in the aviation, marine, and rail sectors. It gathers the technical information we need to develop evidence-based regulations and measures to reduce emissions, and achieve Canada’s goal of reducing GHG emissions.

Find out if you are eligible to apply, what to submit as part of your application and how we assess applications.

The CTS-RD call for proposals is now closed for applications.

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Program description

In 2018, the transportation sector was the second largest source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. It accounted for 26% (187 Mt CO2 eq) of total national emissions. Between 1990 and 2018, GHG emissions from the transportation sector grew by 51%.

Canada has set aggressive GHG reduction targets for 2030 and 2050 as a part of its commitments under the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. In particular, the 2050 target of net-zero carbon emissions will require broad accessibility of commercially viable technologies capable of using zero-emission, or renewable-fuels. Although the aviation, marine, and rail modes account for a small percentage of total transportation emissions, the technologies that would position them for net-zero operations in 2050 are not yet commercially available.

Criteria Air Contaminants (CAC) emissions are produced from the combustion of fossil fuels used by the aviation, marine, and rail sectors. Compounds such as nitrogen oxides (NOx), particulate matter (PM), carbon monoxide (CO), sulphur oxides (SOx), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) contribute to poor air quality and the formation of smog and acid rain. They can also be hazardous to human health and the environment.

Transport Canada established the Clean Transportation System - Research & Development (CTS-RD) Program (the Program) to support ongoing efforts to reduce emissions from the aviation, marine, and rail industries.

The Program funds research, testing and demonstration of clean transportation technologies, in order to advance scientific knowledge, and accelerate their safe and timely adoption in Canada.

Program objectives

The Program’s objective is to advance scientific knowledge, and the development of technologies, that reduce greenhouse gas (GHG), and/or criteria air contaminants (CAC) emissions from the aviation, marine, and rail modes of transportation. Each of these modes face different challenges in achieving significant emission reductions, and are at different levels of current technological maturity.

For the marine and rail transportation sectors, this call for proposals is seeking projects that would support the demonstration and pilot deployment of low-carbon and zero-emission technologies in real-world testing.

For aviation, this call for proposals is seeking research and technology development projects related to low-carbon and zero-emission technologies, or research that would contribute to the scientific understanding of the effects that GHGs and/or CACs, have on climate and human health or the formation of secondary emissions species.

Eligible recipients

Eligible recipients include:

  • provinces and territories, including provincially and territorially owned entities
  • municipalities, including municipality-owned entities, and local and regional governments
  • Indigenous groups, communities, organizations and development corporations
  • public sector organizations
  • not-for-profit private sector organizations
  • for profit sector organizations
  • Canadian airports, ports (subject to section 25 of the Canada Marine Act), and transit authorities
  • academia
  • international organizations – for example, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) or International Maritime Organization (IMO)
  • foreign states and foreign state entities – for example, foreign departments of transportation, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
  • individuals

* foreign states and entities applying for grant funding must demonstrate how their project provides value and contributes to advancement of knowledge in Canada to support reduction of emissions (e.g., undertaking the project in Canada, sharing data with relevant Canadian stakeholders).

Available funding

  • The total available CTS-RD funding is up to $600,000 annually. 
  • Funding is provided as grants to support projects focused on the Aviation, Marine, and Rail sectors.
  • The maximum amount of funding supplied to an individual project cannot exceed $100,000 per year. 
  • Recipients may be reimbursed up to 50% of eligible expenditures.
  • Projects should begin upon approval by Transport Canada (TC), and must be completed by March 31, 2024.

* Total funding allocated under this call for proposals will be based upon the number of eligible projects submitted and their respective funding requirements. Depending on demand, a portion of funding could be reserved to support future call for proposals, or innovative transfer payment programs, e.g. competition/prizes through Impact Canada.

Eligibility assessment criteria

Eligible activities

This section sets out the activities that are considered eligible for grant funding within the context of this call for proposals.

Please note: The eligible activities for the marine and rail sectors are different from those for the aviation sector.

 

Projects related to marine or rail

Eligible activities must contribute to understanding the feasibility, design, development, or execution of demonstration projects for technologies with the potential to reduce GHG and/or CAC emissions from the marine, or rail transportation sectors. For the purposes of this program, demonstration is defined as the objective of trialing a technology prototype in an operational environment that resembles those used in commercial operations for an extended period of time.

The following activities are eligible for funding:

  • Feasibility studies, or pre-engineering studies necessary to define the appropriate scope, costs, and benefits of a demonstration project;
  • Collection of the data necessary to design, monitor, or evaluate the effectiveness of the demonstration project;
  • Development of industrial codes and standards required by industry to commercialize a clean technology;
  • Assessments of the risks, hazards, and mitigation strategies for deploying the technology in a defined operating environment;
  • Elements associated with the preparation, construction, acquisition, retrofit, improvement, and rehabilitation of assets necessary to carry out the demonstration project;
  • Outreach, education, awareness, or stakeholder consultation necessary to ensure that relevant partners are well-informed and can support the project.

Projects related to aviation

Eligible activities must contribute to the reduction, measurement, or improved understanding of GHG and/or CAC emissions from the aviation sector. 

The following activities are eligible for funding:

  • Research and knowledge-sharing related to the development, evaluation, or testing of emission-reducing "clean" transportation technologies or other solutions.
  • Development of technologies or methodologies to improve the measurement of transportation-related emissions;
  • Development, testing, demonstration, deployment and/or installation of innovative clean technologies in Canada;

Application Requirements

What you must demonstrate in your proposal (applicable to all modes):

  • that the project will directly contribute to the Clean Transportation System – Research & Development Program’s objectives (as described in Section 2);
  • how the project’s activities align with the eligible activities as described in Section 5.1;
  • that the project’s activities are central to the primary mandate of the eligible organization, (or in the case of an individual, that the individual is affiliated with an organization whose primary mandate is to conduct such activities);
  • how the project activities to be undertaken will advance knowledge, or technology innovation, development, or adoption that contributes to reducing or measuring emissions, or reducing emission intensity
  • that the project has established a clear methodology, project plan and timeline for reporting, including major milestones, as well as a plan to disseminate the results appropriately;
  • that they have the knowledge, expertise and capacity required to complete the project; and
  • that there are sufficient sources of financial resources to carry out the proposed project.

Eligible project duration and approvals

  • All projects must be completed by March 31, 2024
  • Single-year (12 month) and multi-year projects are eligible
  • You must demonstrate that you have sufficient cash flow available to complete the project
  • You must identify all sources of project funding in your proposal (e.g., in-kind, third party), and attach confirmation of financial support from partner organizations to the proposal.
  • Projects may incur reimbursable eligible expenditures only once Transport Canada approves and confirms this in writing

Eligible expenditures

Eligible expenditures include:

  • staff salaries and benefits
  • professional services (for example, accounting, auditing, consulting, etc.)
  • translation costs
  • expenditures related to the preparation, construction, improvement, installation and rehabilitation of assets (for example, improvements/modifications to vessels, vehicles and facilities)
  • purchase or lease of assets, technology, equipment and supplies
  • licenses and permits
  • rents, leases, leasehold improvements and insurance
  • expenditures for Indigenous consultations, specifically project-related consultation activities pursuant to the Crown’s legal duty to consult, which may include expenditures associated with meetings, travel costs, preparation of consultation materials, honoraria payments for Indigenous person, communication and translation costs
  • administrative expenditures of up to 15% of total project costs (including general administration, expenditures, rent, insurance, office equipment rental and membership fees)
  • travel expenditures (including the cost of accommodations, vehicle rental and kilometric rates, bus train, airplane or taxi fares, allowances for meals and incidentals)
    • Note: Travel and per diem expenses cannot exceed the rates and allowance determined by the National Joint Council
  • other expenditures that are, in our opinion, considered to be direct, reasonable and incremental for the successful implementation of the project and have been approved in writing, before you incur them

The above eligible expenditures may, in certain circumstances, include cash-equivalent expenditures associated with in-kind contributions. These expenditures may take the form of:

  • goods, services or assets consumed by the recipient for which costs are incurred and no cash is exchanged
  • donations of goods, services or assets to the recipient, for which no costs are incurred and no cash is exchanged

Note: In-kind contributions received from a third party are considered donations. They may form part of the applicant’s share toward the total eligible expenditures of the project, but are not eligible for reimbursement.

Ineligible expenditures

Certain expenditures are not eligible for funding and therefore we will not consider them in the calculation of the total eligible expenditures of the proposed project. These include:

  • costs incurred before the funding approval date or after the final claim date
  • expenditures for provincial sales tax and GST, or the HST where applicable, for which you are eligible for a rebate, or any other costs eligible for rebates
  • the cost of purchasing of land and/or buildings including associated real estate and other fees
  • financing charges and interest payments on loans
  • expenditures that have been reimbursed from other federal statutes or funding programs

Merit selection criteria

Transport Canada will assess all grant and contribution applications to see if they meet the eligible assessment criteria. If eligible, we will assess the proposed project against the merit selection criteria described below.

Application templates are attached to the call for proposal and must be used to apply for funding.

Additional information you must provide

Relevance of the project

How closely the proposed project relates to the Clean Transportation System – Research and Development Program objectives.

Applicant’s relevant experience and capacity

Relevant experience and capacity relates to how well you are able to complete the proposed project in terms of resources, personnel and expertise. More specifically, Transport Canada will consider your:

  • mandate and/or experience and expertise
  • demonstrated commitment based on past or current projects
  • institutional, management or organizational structures, financial controls and other support available to successfully deliver the proposed project

Quality of the proposal

The quality of the proposal refers to the degree in which the planned activities, schedule, budget, targeted results and roles and responsibilities are clear, realistic and consistent with the proposed project’s objectives. Transport Canada will assess whether the proposed project has:

  • clearly stated goals, objectives and outcomes
  • a realizable project plan, concrete deliverables, budget and timelines
  • a detailed risk analysis and mitigation strategy
  • an experienced and qualified project delivery team with roles and responsibilities clearly established

Value for money

Your proposal should demonstrate an efficient use of resources, including funding, to achieve the expected outcomes.

Project Categories

For each sector, please indicate the project category (PC) that applies. Identify secondary effects that the proposed project might have on future operations, safety, commercial feasibility, ecosystem and wildlife impacts, and adaptability to climate change.

Note: Projects may identify more than one project category. We will consider proposals that address more than one category.

Marine and Rail Project Categories (MRC)

  • MRC 1 – Feasibility studies: Studies intended to determine the viability of a proposed demonstration project. Examples of the scope of these studies are literature reviews, assessments of technological readiness, safety assessments, assessments of relevant codes and standards and regulatory implications, costs and benefits.
  • MRC 2 – Pre-engineering studies: Studies necessary for designing the demonstration project or elements of the demonstration project, before undertaking any physical works or testing. Examples of the scope of these studies are: computer modelling of performance, digital design of the equipment or facilities, or assessment of physical equipment or facilities to determine their suitability for use in a demonstration.
  • MRC 3 – Safety Assessments: Comprehensive review of the risks/ hazards associated with deploying the proposed technology compared to present-day designs, and the development of the necessary measures to mitigate the risks.
  • MRC 4 – Undertaking a demonstration project: This includes the activities for deploying the technology in the demonstration project’s testing environment. Examples of activities include the procurement of equipment, the conversion or construction of vessels/ locomotives, the preparation of testing facilities, collection of data, analysis of data, revisions to the equipment or testing procedure to adapt to lessons learned in the testing process,
  • MRC 5 – Stakeholder Consultation and Outreach: Activities associated with identifying, and establishing collaborative relationships, or consortiums necessary to support the initiation, and success of a technology demonstration project. Examples include advising and working with first responders, federal, provincial/ territorial, and municipal governments, codes and standards bodies, labour unions, or public and communities located near the project site.
  • MRC 6 – Development of Codes and Standards: Activities to identify existing codes and standards relevant to the proposed technology demonstration project, or to develop a pathway for addressing gaps in existing codes and standards that would be necessary to increase its successful implementation. This work could also include review of the proposed technology design within the scope of the proposed project to ensure that it incorporates relevant codes and standards that industry best practices are applied.

Aviation project categories (AC):

  • AC 1: Emissions reduction: contribute to reduction, measurement or improvement of the intensity of GHG and/or air pollutant emissions from the aviation sector
  • AC 2: Technical improvements in aircraft or aircraft engine design: contribute to the improvement of design and/or function that leads to reduction in GHGs and/or critical air contaminants
  • AC 3: Infrastructure or operational improvements: contribute to improvement in aviation infrastructure or operations that lead to reduced emissions from the sector
  • AC 4: Development of aviation biofuels: advance the development and deployment of alternative aviation fuels within the Canadian context
  • AC 5: Improved scientific understanding: of aviation emissions and impacts (environmental and human health)

Additional criteria

We may give priority to projects that:

  • include a relevant transport operator as a partner for the project;
  • for marine/ rail projects, are a part of a larger strategy to deploy the technology in a commercial setting long-term; 
  • Contribute to the overall improvement of the Canadian transportation system by advancing innovative clean technologies, knowledge or practices that other modes of transportation can use
  • Can reasonably be expected to contribute to reducing, measuring or reducing the intensity of GHGs and/or air pollutant emissions from the transportation sector, at a reasonable cost
  • Establish technology, knowledge or practices that others can use
  • Leverage participation of other public and private entities
  • provide other environmental benefits such as reductions in noise and/or vibration, the preservation of wildlife and habitat, etc.;
  • reduce operating costs;
  • enhance integration, systems efficiency, and/or system capacity;
  • improve productivity/innovation within the transportation system
  • improve transportation system safety;
  • Include a plan to disseminate research findings to industry and academia

Notification

Once Transport Canada has evaluated your project proposal, we will inform you if you are selected for funding or not. We reserve the right to accept or reject any project proposal.

Service standards

In an effort to continually improve our level of service and maintain a transparent process, Transport Canada has the following service standards:

  • Our goal is to provide applicants with written acknowledgement of receipt of their application and/or project proposal within 10 business days of the application deadline date
  • Our goal is to issue payments within 20 business days following notification to the recipient that the requirements related to payment, as outlined in the funding agreement, have been fulfilled

Note: If we cannot meet the above standards, we will advise you in a timely manner.

Funding agreements

Grant agreements

A funding agreement signed by both the recipient and Transport Canada is required to receive the CTS-RD Program funding. The following highlights key areas of the grant agreement under this program.

Letter of funding approval for eligible activities

Eligible applicants will receive a letter of funding approval. This letter will indicate when the eligible expenditures may be reimbursed under the program.

Project scope and agreement

Only eligible expenditures you incur after the date indicated in the letter of funding approval will be eligible for reimbursement.

Transport Canada will make payments as established in the grant agreement.

The maximum amount of total government funding  (municipal, provincial, and federal) cannot exceed 100% of total eligible expenditures.

Note: For single year projects, we will reimburse the applicant as a lump sum payment. For multi-year projects, we will establish a payment schedule over the duration of the grant agreement.

Annual reports

For multi-year projects, the recipient will be required to provide an annual report. Recipients must report on the results they achieve, to ensure they continue to align with the objectives of the Clean Transportation System – Research and Development Program in general, and the call for proposal, in particular. This will also help Transport Canada determine continued eligibility where a grant is paid by instalments.

Final reports

When the project is complete, recipients will be required to submit a final report. The final report includes a summary of project results achieved. Under the funding agreement, Transport Canada must receive the final report before we provide final payment.

Other funding agreement clauses

Official languages

All recipients must respect the Official Languages Act when delivering a project funded under the program. Linguistic requirements may apply to projects depending on their scope (national, regional or local), or on the specificity of the regions and a project’s targeted audiences. Transport Canada will work with successful recipients to determine how this applies to their projects.

How to apply

The following sections detail the documents you will need to submit a proposal.

Application templates are available upon request and must be used to apply for funding.

Applicants must submit a completed project proposal which includes:

  1. Title of project and executive summary
  2. Applicant information:
    • legal name of the organization
    • name and position of the primary contact for applicant organization
    • mailing address for all correspondence
    • contact information such as office phone, email, website
  3. Organizational profile:
    • type of organization
    • organizational structure and governance
    • history of the organization
    • mandate of the organization
    • organizational activities
  4. Personnel information for a dedicated project manager
    • Include the project manager’s contact information (if different from the applicant’s organization)
  5. Declarations:
    • conflict of interest questionnaire
    • declaration by applicant attesting to the accuracy of the project proposal and the commitment of the organization to carry out the project, signed by an authorized agent
  6. Project description:
    • project eligibility information
    • location of project delivery
    • proposed start and completion dates
    • major activities for the project
    • project work plan
    • partners and contributions
    • risk assessment and mitigation measures
  7. Communications plan, if applicable
  8. Letters of support, including financial support
  9. Legal documentation of applicant organization
  10. Budget information – to be added as an annex; budget template available upon request

Submitting your application

Application deadline

Transport Canada must receive project proposals no later than April 15, 2021.

Project proposals we receive after this date will not be considered for funding.

Note: All project proposals must be signed, complete, accurate, comprehensive and presented using the templates Transport Canada provides. All applicants must provide legal documentation confirming their organization is a legal entity (for example, using letters of patent, certificates of incorporation or other such legal documents). Missing or incomplete information will slow the processing of the application and may result in its rejection.

You may submit the application package by email or by mail. However, due to Covid-19 restrictions in place at Transport Canada offices, we strongly encourage applicants to submit their project proposals by email.

Email:

All electronic applications must be in MS Word, MS Excel or PDF format and must include signatures. Send the application to:

TC.CTSRD-STERD.TC@tc.gc.ca

Mail:

A signed hard copy may be sent by mail, and must be received in this office by the application deadline.

To maintain the transparency and fairness of the selection process, we cannot grant extensions.

Mail applications to:

Clean Transportation System (R&D)
Transfer Payments Program
Transport Canada
330 Sparks St., Place de Ville – Tower C (AHSA)
Ottawa, ON K1A 0N5

Transport Canada will confirm receipt of application packages.

 

Clean Transportation System – Research and Development Program (CTS-RD): Applicant’s Guide
(PDF, 1.08 MB)

 

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