Funding for researchers

On this page

• Transfer Payment Terms and Conditions
• Yukon Call for Proposals 2023-26
• Polar Knowledge Canada Fellowship Program
• Competitive Funding Process – This competition is now closed
• Polar Knowledge Canada’s (POLAR’s) Science and Technology Program
• Funded Projects
• Northern Scientific Training Program
• Other organizations that fund polar scientists

Transfer Payment Terms and Conditions

As stated in the Policy on Transfer Payments, all Transfer Payment Programs require approved Terms and Conditions that define eligible recipients, expenses, and activities, among other mandatory provisions.

The Terms and Conditions for POLAR’s Grant and Contribution Programs are available here:

• Grants and Contributions to Support the Advancement of Northern Science and Technology; and,
• Grants to Individuals Organizations Associations and Institutions to Support Research and Activities Relating to the Polar Regions.

Yukon Call for Proposals 2023-26

Polar Knowledge Canada is opening a call for proposals that will support Yukon-based projects. Successful projects will advance knowledge on the call's strategic theme: climate change impacts and adaptation strategies in the Yukon.

This regional call aligns with recent initiatives highlighting the connections between climate change, community well-being, and ecosystem health. It emphasizes self-determination in research that centres on Yukon First Nation priorities, and community-led initiatives that aim to create sustainable solutions and futures for all Yukon communities.

Duration

POLAR will support projects that start April 1, 2023 at the earliest, and run for a period of one to three years. All projects must end no later than March 31, 2026.

Submission Deadline

Guidelines and application information

Contact

For all questions regarding POLAR's Yukon Call for Proposals 2023-26, contact us at grants-contributions@polar-polaire.gc.ca.

Polar Knowledge Canada Fellowship Program

The POLAR Fellowship is for post-doctoral researchers and visiting researchers. Visiting researchers refers to university-based researchers, community-based researchers, and Indigenous knowledge-holders.

Applicants must be affiliated with a recognized university and with a Northern institute for the duration of their fellowship.

A POLAR Fellowship aims to support eligible individuals who wish to continue to develop their northern expertise and advance their research under one of POLAR's S&T Goals. Eligibility criteria are outlined in the POLAR Fellowship Guidelines.

The POLAR Fellowship Program aims to:

• connect post-doctoral candidates and visiting researchers with northern-based research institutions;
• support projects that work across disciplines and connect multiple knowledge holders and knowledge systems; and
• advance knowledge to contribute to northern scientific and community priorities.

Current calls

2023-2024 Extended call

This is a Fellowship of $17,000 for a period of four (4) months. Six (6) Fellowships will be awarded.

2024-2025

This is a Fellowship of $50,000 for the fiscal year 2024-2025. Five (5) Fellowships will be awarded.

Submit an application

• Guidelines 2023-2024 Extended call and 2024-2025 (PDF)
• Application form (Word document)
• Budget template (Excel document)
• Detailed project proposal (Word document)
• Host institution confirmation of support (Word document)
• Workplan (Word document)

Questions

For all questions regarding POLAR's Fellowship Program, contact the Grants and Contributions Team.

Recipients

Competitive Funding Process

POLAR has an integrated suite of grants and contributions that supports its Northern Science & Technology and Polar Knowledge Application programs.

• CALL FOR FUNDING APPLICATIONS: 2020-2023
• In February 2019, Polar Knowledge Canada (POLAR) announced a Call for Funding Applications for funding in support of the following key themes under its Northern Science and Technology (NST) and Polar Knowledge Application (PKA) Programs.
• NST Theme 1: Understanding dynamic northern ecosystems in the context of rapid change
  NST Theme 2: Advancing sensible energy, technology and infrastructure solutions for the North
  NST Theme 3: Bridging northern community wellness and environmental health
• PKA Theme 1: Indigenous Knowledge
  PKA Theme 2: Capacity Building
  PKA Theme 3: Research coordination
  PKA Theme 4: Data Stewardship
  PKA Theme 5: Knowledge Mobilization
• Guidelines and Information: (PDF) | HTML
• SUBMIT AN APPLICATION
• Click HERE to view the application Guidelines and Information.
• DEADLINE
• Submission deadline: April 30, 2019 23:59 (Pacific Time). This competition is now closed.
• CONTACT US
• For questions regarding this Call for Funding Applications, contact us:
• Email: grants-contributions@polar.gc.ca. Please include “Polar Knowledge Canada – Call for Funding Applications 2020-2023” in the email subject line.
• Telephone: 613-996-0374 to leave a message. All messages will be returned within 2 business days.
• Did you know?
• In 2016, POLAR launched its first open competitive funding process for projects related to science and technology as well as knowledge mobilization and engagement. These projects were aimed at developing and leveraging knowledge and capacity to help support responsible and informed development in a rapidly changing North.
• As a result of that process, 43 projects were funded for a total of $8,680,188 for the period 2017-19.

Polar Knowledge Canada’s (POLAR’s) Science and Technology Program

Polar Knowledge Canada (POLAR) supports research projects within its Science and Technology Program, which aims to create a strong research presence in Canada’s Arctic through POLAR. The program builds a knowledge base to support effective solutions to Arctic issues, northern policy and research development, and advances Canada’s position as a leading Arctic nation.

The first call for proposals focused on strengthening monitoring in northern Canada and research in northern regions of significant resource development. Proposals were accepted for single or multi-year projects. Multi-year projects may extend through 2017-2018, subject to an annual proposal evaluation.

Future POLAR calls will be posted on this page.

Co-funding is encouraged between POLAR and the Northern Contaminants Programs as well as other related Arctic science programs such as ArcticNet, the Nunavut General Monitoring Plan, and the Cumulative Impacts Monitoring Program where applicable.

Funded Projects

Northern Scientific Training Program

In 1961, the federal government established the Northern Scientific Training Grants Program to encourage Canadian universities to train northern specialists to meet national needs. Now called the Northern Scientific Training Program (NSTP), it provides supplementary funding to over 350 students annually at over 35 universities across Canada. The program is administered by POLAR as part of its mandate to foster science and technology in Canada’s North. Northern Scientific Training Program Information Manual 2024-2025.

The Northern Scientific Training Program application period for 2024-2025 is now open.

More information