Call for Proposals: Partnered Research Program (Canada)

This is the first Partnered Research Program Call for Proposals under the new ArcticNet, which will continue the collective work of studying the impacts of rapid climate, environmental and socio-economic change in Inuit Nunangat and the broader Canadian North. Representing a new era in scientific collaboration, ArcticNet, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, and Polar Knowledge Canada together co-created a new vision that is focused on bridging and leveraging diverse knowledge to better understand and prepare for a changing Arctic.

Scope

• Growth of economic activities in the Arctic, compounded with the ongoing global climate change crisis, has created a suite of new research priorities and needs that must enhance understanding and support decision-making. ArcticNet projects address research gaps and needs identified by end-users, including those defined by Indigenous leaders and communities, national and territorial governments, scientists, and international declarations.
• ArcticNet will fund projects addressing priorities related to Well-Being, Infrastructure, Energy, Ecosystems, Economy. Innovative, multidisciplinary, state-of-the-art and inclusive projects are solicited to address the challenges and opportunities created by the rapidly changing natural environment, and social and cultural systems. Applicants must outline how their work is addressing research gaps and needs identified by end-users.

Pillars and Objectives 

• Pilar 1: Leveraging discovery and diversity:
  • Objective 1: Deliver world-class science addressing national and Indigenous priorities: A pivotal objective of ArcticNet is to produce world-class science using proven approaches to research generation that includes leveraging knowledge assets from western science and Indigenous knowledge, and through a commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion in science.
  • Objective 2: Advance Indigenous-led research in the North, for the North, and by the North: ArcticNet is guided by the fundamental understanding that Indigenous Peoples are experts about their own lives, communities and environments and that the most effective technologies and innovations emerge when all ways of knowing and understanding are considered.
• Pilar 2: Convening and connecting:
  • Objective 3: Connect knowledge assets for discovery, decision-making, inclusion, and leadership: Working in strong partnership with federal, territorial and Indigenous organizations will greatly help to streamline Arctic and Northern science programming in Canada, reduce adjudication fatigue, enable enhanced opportunities for international engagement, and support their ability to track and share progress, while limiting overlaps in spending due to disjointed programming or the lack of convening and connecting efforts.
  • Objective 4: Transform approaches for Arctic research governance in support of Indigenous self-determination: The new governance structure of ArcticNet will highlight the transformation that is needed to revolutionize the standard operating procedures for governing Arctic and Northern research in Canada in order to advance and support Indigenous self determination and to showcase Canadian research leadership innovations internationally.
• Pilar 3: Unleashing capacity:
  • Objective 5: Train and mentor Canada’s next generation of Arctic scientists and Indigenous researchers: Supporting a sustainable and Canadian-led approach to development of Arctic Canada requires a strong workforce of skilled Arctic specialists and scientists.
  • Objective 6: Enhance Indigenous and northern capacity in project (and research) management and administration: Canada lags heavily behind other Arctic countries in terms of economic and human development.
• Pilar 4: Mobilizing knowledge:
  • Objective 7: Support decision-makers and Arctic and Northern leaders through effective and accessible knowledge products: Knowledge mobilization initiatives under ArcticNet will be comprehensive with a wide range of activities relating to the production and use of research results, including a sound data management plan knowledge synthesis, dissemination, transfer, and exchange activities, with a particular focus on co-creation by knowledge.
  • Objective 8: Enhance international leadership and Canadian-led innovations in Arctic and Northern research: As one of only eight Arctic nations and building upon a strong foundation of Arctic science infrastructure investments it is vital that they support a connected and effective Arctic science and research community and to showcase to the world the strength and values of their nation.

Funding Information

• Research teams can apply for funding for up to three years, from April 1, 2025 – March 31, 2028.
• ArcticNet aims to fund projects of varying size and welcomes submissions within three annual budget ranges:
  • Small projects: $25,000 to $75,000 per project
  • Medium projects: $75,000 to $200,000 per project
  • Large projects: $200,000 to $400,000 per project

Eligible Costs

• Salaries of research staff.
• Costs related to students, highly qualified personnel (HQP), and trainees:
  • Bachelors
  • Masters
  • Doctorate
  • Postdoc
  • Others
• Professional and technical services.
• Operations of core research facilities.
• Equipment (excluding Major Research Equipment).
• Materials and supplies.
• Research-related travel and accommodation costs (fieldwork).
• Aircraft (there is no other call for proposals for aircraft expenses).
• Seminars and workshops.
• Networking (collaboration) meetings.
• Conferences.
• Communications.
• Other.

Geographical Focus 

• It should be noted that the terms “Arctic” and “North” have different definitions across cultures, disciplines, organizations and people. The purpose is to be inclusive of all people, Indigenous groups, organizations, governments and others that define themselves as part of this ‘community’. In this spirit of inclusion, the definition of “Arctic” or “North” does not reflect a specific latitude or particular border. Therefore, when they use the term “Arctic” or “North”, it means northern and Arctic areas in Canada, inclusive of all the territories, the northern portion of the provinces and Inuit Nunangat.

Eligibility Criteria

• Post-secondary institutions;
• Research hospitals;
• First Nations, Inuit and Métis and Territorial organizations and governments;
• Research networks;
• Public engagement networks;
• Companies that deliver public engagement activities;
• Start-up companies (including those housed in Canadian post-secondary-linked incubators).

For more information, visit ArcticNet.