In the Arctic and Northern regions, living conditions are generally much more difficult than in other parts of Canada. In terms of housing, these regions suffer from insufficient, poorly adapted and unaffordable housing stock. In terms of access to clean water, again, conditions are more complicated than anywhere else in Canada because the water distribution infrastructure is deficient or fragile. In terms of health, the Arctic and Northern populations also face significant challenges. Access to health care is limited, and the range of care offered is incomplete and often ill-adapted, which has a disproportionate impact on the general health of the inhabitants of these regions, and more particularly, of the Aboriginal people.
In an effort to address these issues, NRC launched the “Arctic and Northern Challenge program” in early March 2022.
This program consists of a call for proposals for research projects on topics related to the 4 main themes of the program, namely housing, water, food, and health care for Aboriginal, Northern people, and communities. The projects selected will be eligible for funding of up to $5 million over three years to be paid directly to eligible recipients.
In doing so, and to achieve its stated objective, the program is intended to initiate applied research projects, advance technology, and innovation, and build research and development capacity in the North.
Eligibility:
To be eligible, projects must have direct relevance to Arctic and northern populations. For this reason, the majority of research activities must be conducted on Arctic and northern lands and territories, including Inuit Nunangat, Yukon and the Northwest Territories. Each proposal must also be led by a principal investigator and project administrator from Canada’s North. And who should ideally be an Aboriginal person or a representative of an Arctic or Northern organization. Failing that, the project must include a funded partner who is Aboriginal or who represents an Aboriginal organization.
The eligibility criteria for research teams are oriented towards cooperation with indigenous peoples:
- Each research team must be composed of a PI or project administrator eligible for funding
- The PI or project administrator should be an Aboriginal person or a representative of an Arctic or northern organization or community. Otherwise, the project must include a funded partner who is Aboriginal or who represents an Aboriginal organization or community.
- A PI may only submit one project as a PI under this call for proposals, but may participate in a maximum of one other project as a co-investigator.
- A member of a research team who is Indigenous or who represents an Arctic or northern organization or community may participate in as many proposals as they wish.
- At least one TK holder must be part of the research team.
- The research team must include an NRC collaborator.
- The research team must also include other collaborators
This is easily understood in light of the NRC’s desire. In fact, through this program, NRC wants to promote Aboriginal self-determination, respect and explicitly include Aboriginal knowledge and, consequently, foster collaboration.
The program has an envelope of up to $5 million over 3 years to support these projects. NRC plans to fund 6 to 15 projects requesting an annual allocation of between $50,000 and $150,000. Each project can receive up to 3 years of NRC grant or contribution funding to conduct research, acquire knowledge mobilization equipment or engage with the community. Projects of shorter duration will also be considered.
The program will generally cover up to 100% of a recipient’s total project costs, unless the project results in a commercial benefit to the recipient, in which case the program will cover up to 75% of costs.
Want to Apply?
If you want to apply, you will have to be quick. Indeed, the first step of the application process – the submission of the letter of intent – ends on June 17, 2022.
The earliest possible start date for projects is March 3, 2023.
