ArcticNet Partnered Research Program 2026 Call for Proposals

About

ArcticNet's 2026 Partnered Research Program Call for Proposals funds roughly five two-year interdisciplinary research projects on energy, infrastructure and ecosystems observing and monitoring across the Canadian North, with CAD 100,000–200,000 per project per year, a 1:1 co-funding requirement and a 16 December 2026 deadline.

Benefits

• 💰Research Project Funding
  ArcticNet expects to fund approximately five projects under the Call for Proposals, with annual funding of CAD 100,000–200,000 per project and a total research funding envelope of CAD 1.0 million; requests exceeding the stated maximum may be considered with strong budget justification
• 🏢Administrative Fee Support
  Up to an additional 15% of the research funding envelope, capped at CAD 150,000, is available for eligible administrative fees; each project may request a maximum of 15% of its total budget for administrative fees
• 📅Project Duration
  Funded projects run for up to two years, from 1 April 2027 to 31 March 2029
• 🤝Additional Partner Funding
  Conditional: Eligible projects may receive additional funding from competition partners Genome Canada and the Ocean Tracking Network (OTN)

Eligibility Criteria

• 👤 Individual Applicant Eligibility
• Mandatory: Applications must be submitted by individuals; only individuals may be listed as Project Leads, Co-Leads, or Researchers. Organisations may participate as collaborators or partners but cannot receive direct ArcticNet funding
• 💰 Eligible Funding Recipients
• Mandatory: Only Project Leads, Co-Leads (maximum of two per project), and Researchers may receive ArcticNet funding, provided they agree and are able to sign an Ultimate Recipient Agreement
• 📝 Application Limit
• Mandatory: Each applicant may participate in a maximum of three applications: one as Project Lead and two as Co-Lead or Researcher
• 🤝 Co-Funding Requirement
• Mandatory: Applicants must secure a minimum 1:1 co-funding ratio through cash and/or in-kind contributions, with contributions at least equal to the amount requested from ArcticNet
• 🧭 Research Focus
• Mandatory: Research must focus on the Canadian North and address gaps and needs identified by end users
• 🏢 Eligible Organisations and Applicants
• Eligible participants may include post-secondary institutions, research hospitals, First Nations, Inuit and Métis organisations, territorial organisations and governments, research networks, public engagement organisations, and start-ups, including those housed in Canadian post-secondary-linked incubators
• 🚫 Federal Government Exclusion
• Mandatory: Federal government departments, agencies, and Crown corporations are not eligible to apply. Federal employees based at eligible non-federal institutions may apply through those institutions
• 🔬 Existing ArcticNet Funding
• Applicants already funded by ArcticNet may apply if the proposed project is new and distinct from any currently funded project
• 🎓 Foreign Students and Postdoctoral Researchers
• Foreign students and postdoctoral researchers coming to study at a Canadian institution may receive funding through a funded researcher
• 🪶 Indigenous Leadership and Collaboration
• Strongly supported: Inuit, First Nations, and Métis co-led and co-developed proposals. Proposals without an Indigenous lead or co-lead remain eligible on merit but must demonstrate strong Indigenous community support and engagement
• 🌐 Northern and Indigenous Partner Engagement
• Expected: Engagement or direct involvement of northern and Indigenous partners; research conducted in Inuit Nunangat should align with the National Inuit Strategy on Research (NISR)
• 🗣️ Application Language
• Applications may be submitted in English, Inuktut, or French

Participation Commitments

• 🤝 Co-Funding Requirement
• Mandatory post-selection: Applicants must secure cash and/or in-kind contributions equal to at least the amount requested from ArcticNet, meeting a minimum 1:1 co-funding ratio
• 📊 Data Management and Metadata
• Mandatory: Funded projects must upload a metadata form to an appropriate data catalogue and sign an agreement to that effect, in accordance with ArcticNet’s Data Management Policy and Guidelines
• 📝 Ultimate Recipient Agreement
• Mandatory: Funded Project Leads, Co-Leads, and Researchers eligible to receive ArcticNet funding must sign an Ultimate Recipient Agreement
• 📢 Knowledge Mobilisation
• Expected: Knowledge mobilisation must be integrated throughout the project
• 🪶 Inuit Nunangat Research Alignment
• Expected: Research conducted in Inuit Nunangat should align with the National Inuit Strategy on Research (NISR)
• 💸 Participation Fees and Equity
• No participation fee, tuition, or equity requirement is stated in the available sources

Target Sector

Energy & Utilities, Real Estate & Construction, Other

Target Location

Research must address key priorities across the Canadian North. Eligible applicant countries: Canada — applicants are based at Canadian post-secondary institutions, research hospitals, First Nations, Inuit and Métis and territorial organizations and governments, research networks, public engagement organizations, or start-ups, including those housed in Canadian post-secondary-linked incubators. Foreign students and post-docs coming to study at a Canadian institution may receive funds through a funded researcher. Federal government departments, agencies and crown corporations are not eligible.