Sponsor
Ontario Genomics (via funding from Genome Canada)
Program
Natural Resources Initiative
For More Information
Please visit the Natural Resources Initiative webpage.
Description
The pressure is on Canada to respond to urgent economic and environmental challenges while building long-term prosperity and competitiveness. In the past, the position has been the choice between economic development or climate-focused development, but the Natural Resources Initiative is striking the perfect balance of both.
This new program is taking the bio-revolution to a new level by funding a coordinated portfolio of projects that will lay the foundation for a generational transformation in natural resources systems and biodiversity management across the country.
Canada’s natural resources systems include:
- Mining and critical minerals
- Forestry
- Freshwater systems
- Fisheries
Biodiversity-based sectors like these are under intense pressure from climate change, biodiversity loss, global competition and economic volatility. These sectors are also expected to respond to these threats faster and with effective solutions. NRI will help them do that through an investment of $50 million over the next three years from the Government of Canada, Genome Canada and its partners.
Funding opportunities fall into three streams as follow:
Stream 1: Driver projects
Stand-alone, mission-driven, impact-focused research investments designed to address challenges faced in Canada’s natural resources systems, such as improving biodiversity monitoring, enhancing regulatory efficiency, developing sustainable resource management strategies, strengthening climate adaptation and protecting critical ecosystems.
Stream 2: National genomics data hub
A coordinating platform to support and steward data generated by the Stream 1 driver projects, enabling the development and use of a common, findable and usable national genomic data resource focused on genetic diversity across Canada’s natural resources systems.
Stream 3: Indigenous data governance frameworks
Co-developed with relevant rights holders, these frameworks will develop concrete tools and resources by which Indigenous genomic and environmental data, knowledge and assets are owned, accessed, utilized, shared and ultimately stewarded within and where appropriate, beyond the initiative.
Eligibility
Genome Canada funding can be awarded to individuals affiliated with one or more of the following types of organizations, who will administer the funding:
- Canadian post-secondary institutions
- Research hospitals
- Not-for-profit organizations (including community or charitable organizations) with an explicit research mandate
Additional eligible institutions, if applicable, may be specified in individual funding opportunities.
Funding Availability
- Up to $19 million is available from Genome Canada
- Genome Canada’s minimum contribution to an approved project is $1 million and the maximum contribution is $2 million
- A minimum 1:1 co-funding ratio is required
- Funding is for a term of up to three years
- Applicants can request up to a total of 20 per cent of Genome Canada funds to flow to start-up companies to fund research, including GE3LS activities
Indirect Costs
Indirect costs are not permitted on funds from Genome Canada. Partner cash incurs 40% per the Full Cost of Research Policy.
Project Duration
Funding is for a term of up to three years.
Deadlines
If College-level review is required, your College will communicate its earlier internal deadlines.
| Type | Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Internal Deadline | Copy of the LOI and signed OR-5 form due to research.services@uoguelph.ca | |
External Deadline | Copy of LOI due to Ontario Genomics |
How to Apply
Applicants must apply through Ontario Genomics, please contact Liz Edmonds to set up call to review the LOI and initiate an application on Proposal Central. Proposals initiated or submitted by teams without Ontario Genomics approval will not eligible.
Information For Co-applicants
If you need to meet a deadline set by the lead institution for this opportunity, please ensure that you provide the Office of Research with at least five days in advance of the lead institution’s deadline to review the application or your proposed component of the project. Please be in touch with the Office of Research (contact information below) ahead of the deadline if it looks like it will be difficult for you to submit all the required documentation on time (i.e. budget, proposal OR-5 Form).