National Research Council Canada – Arctic and Northern Challenge Program

Details

Opportunity Name	Arctic and Northern Challenge Program
Agency	National Research Council of Canada
Value	$50,000 – $150,000/year
Indirect Costs	Eligible at 10%
Duration	Up to 3 years

Deadlines

Letter of Intent (LOI) due at FSc RO at sciapps@yorku.ca for full review	06-03-2022
LOI and fully signed ORS checklist due at FSc RO at sciapps@yorku.ca for mandatory review	06-10-2022
LOI and fully signed ORS checklist due at ORS for mandatory review	06-15-2022 by 9:00AM
LOI due at agency	06-17-2022 by 11:59PM
Application due to FSc RO at sciapps@yorku.ca for full review	10-06-2022
Application and fully signed ORS checklist due to FSc RO at sciapps@yorku.ca for mandatory review	10-14-2022
Final application and fully signed ORS checklist due at ORS for mandatory review	10-19-2022 by 9:00AM
Application due at agency	10-21-2022

Objective

This program aims to advance applied research and development projects that will improve the daily lives of Northerners through the advancement of technology and innovation and build and increase Northern R&D capacity in order to solve pressing issues confronting Northerners. 

This will be accomplished through participation of Arctic and Northern peoples in the design, governance, delivery and dissemination of applied research to address challenges that they identify. 

Projects must have direct relevance to Arctic and Northern peoples. At least one of the following four themes must be addressed in the project: 

Theme 1 – Arctic and Northern housing 

Applied research is conducted and/or technology developed and applied to improve the adequacy, suitability, and affordability of Northern homes, such as: 

• adequacy: research into quality construction and robust infrastructure 
• suitability: research to support buildings that meet the functional and cultural needs of Northern communities 
• affordability: research in construction, maintenance, materials, energy efficiency, transportation and other means to support affordable housing 

Theme 2 – Arctic and Northern water 

Applied research is conducted and/or technologies developed and applied to improve the availability, accessibility and quality of Arctic and Northern water resources, such as: 

• availability: research to address climate change, population growth and other factors impacting the ability to source water 
• accessibility: research that addresses infrastructure, operations and maintenance to support water and wastewater management and water distribution 
• quality: research that examines contaminants within wastewater or quality of fresh water, and the treatment or monitoring of those, point‑source pollution or other impacts on water quality 

Theme 3 – Arctic and Northern food 

Applied research is conducted and/or technologies developed and applied to improve the accessibility, availability and quality of Arctic and Northern food resources, such as: 

• accessibility: research addressing access to traditional food sources and food system infrastructure deficits 
• availability: research examining impacts of climate change, shipping reliability and other considerations on the availability of food 
• quality: research studying food safety, processing, storage, preservation and labour requirements 

Theme 4 – Arctic and Northern health 

Applied research is conducted and/or technologies developed and applied to improve the accessibility, comprehensiveness and appropriateness of Arctic and Northern health resources, such as: 

• accessibility: research examining remote, rapid and local care 
• comprehensiveness: research supporting detection, management and treatments for health and wellness, and its data, locally 
• appropriateness: research into culturally appropriate care and communication 

---

Eligibility

• Each research team must be composed of a PI or project administrator eligible to receive funding (see section 6.2 of the guidelines). 
• The PI or project administrator should be an Indigenous person or a representative from an Arctic or Northern organization or an Arctic and Northern community. If not, the project must include a funded partner who is Indigenous or a representative of an Indigenous organization or community. 
• Individuals identified as PIs can submit a maximum of one (1) project to this call as a PI and be part of a maximum of one (1) other project as a co‑investigator. 
• Research team members who are Indigenous, or a representative from an Arctic or Northern organization or an Arctic and Northern community, are not subject to maximum participation limits. 
• A Traditional Knowledge holder must be part of the research team. 
• The research team must include an NRC collaborator. 
• The research team may also include other collaborators. 

---

How to Apply

To begin the application process, you must register for this opportunity by submitting your expression of interest.

York University researchers are reminded that all applications for external research funding, including Letters of Intent, must be reviewed and approved by the Office of Research Services before they are submitted to the granting agency.  For internal approval, the application must be accompanied by a completed ORS Checklist, which requires the Dean’s signature.  Please send the complete application, with the finalized budget and a completed ORS checklist to sciapps@yorku.ca, five days prior to agency deadline.

ORS is accepting electronic applications – the process is outlined here.

---

For specific questions, please contact your FSc Research Officer