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

• ArcticNet expects to fund approximately five projects under this Call for Proposals, with annual funding of CAD 100,000 to CAD 200,000 per project per year and a total research funding envelope of CAD 1.0 million; projects may request more than the stated maximum with a strong budget justification. An additional amount of up to 15% of the research funding envelope (up to CAD 150,000) is available to support eligible administrative fees, and projects may request a maximum of 15% of their total budget in administrative fees. Funded projects run for up to two years, from 1 April 2027 to 31 March 2029. Conditional/additive: potential additional funding from competition partners Genome Canada and the Ocean Tracking Network (OTN) for eligible projects.

Eligibility Criteria

• Mandatory: applications are submitted by individuals — only individuals can be listed as Project Leads, Co-Leads or Researchers; organizations may participate only as collaborators or partners and do not receive direct ArcticNet funding. Mandatory: only the Project Lead, Co-Leads (maximum of two per project) and Researchers are eligible to receive ArcticNet funding, provided they agree and are able to sign an Ultimate Recipient Agreement. Mandatory: a maximum of three applications per applicant (one as Project Lead and two as Co-Lead or Researcher). Mandatory: a minimum 1:1 co-funding ratio of cash and/or in-kind contributions at least equal to the amount requested from ArcticNet. Mandatory: research focused on the Canadian North and addressing end-user-identified gaps and needs. Applicants may include post-secondary institutions, research hospitals, First Nations, Inuit and Métis and territorial organizations and governments, research networks, public engagement organizations, and start-ups, including those housed in Canadian post-secondary-linked incubators. Federal government departments, agencies and crown corporations are not eligible, although federal employees based at eligible non-federal institutions may apply through those entities. Applicants already funded by ArcticNet may apply if the proposed project is new and distinct from any currently funded project. Foreign students and post-docs coming to study at a Canadian institution are eligible to receive funds through a funded researcher. Preferred/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 show strong Indigenous community support and engagement; engagement or direct involvement of northern and Indigenous partners is expected, and research in Inuit Nunangat should align with the National Inuit Strategy on Research (NISR). Proposals may be submitted in English, Inuktut or French.

Participation Commitments

• Mandatory post-selection: a minimum 1:1 co-funding ratio, with applicants securing cash and/or in-kind contributions equal to at least the amount requested from ArcticNet. Mandatory: funded projects must upload a metadata form into an appropriate data catalogue and sign an agreement to that effect, in line with ArcticNet's Data Management Policy and Guidelines. Mandatory: the Project Lead, Co-Leads and Researchers eligible for funding must sign an Ultimate Recipient Agreement. Expected: knowledge mobilization must be integrated throughout the project, and research in Inuit Nunangat should align with the National Inuit Strategy on Research (NISR). No participation fee, tuition or equity requirement is stated in the available sources.

Target Region

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.

Target Sector

Energy & Utilities, Real Estate & Construction, Other