The Arctic and Northern Challenge program aims to address pressing issues impacting the quality of life of Northern peoples. The program is committed to prioritizing Northern-led research projects that have a strong focus on Northern capacity building. By providing both research funding and scientific expertise, the program will support strong and sustainable Northern communities through applied technology and innovation.
NRC Arctic and Northern Challenge program development grants call for proposals
The National Research Council of Canada (NRC) is proud to launch a call for development grants under its Arctic and Northern Challenge program. The grants will provide resources for Northern applicants to conduct community-level consultations to ensure local support for a project idea and to fully develop their research and development approach in one of the program's 4 research themes, housing, water, food and health, for Arctic and Northern peoples and communities. Development grants will provide up to $50,000 over 12 months.
Eligible recipients must be at least one of the following:
- Territorial and Indigenous governments in Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Inuit Nunangat
- Indigenous and Northern communities in Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Inuit Nunangat
- Indigenous and Northern organizations (for profit or not-for-profit) in Yukon, Northwest Territories and Inuit Nunangat
- Academic organizations headquartered in Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Inuit Nunangat
To request the application form or for more information about this call, please send an email to NRC.Arctic&Northern-Arctique&Nord.CNRC@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca.
The deadline to submit your grant application is 11:59 pm (ET) on October 6, 2023.
About the program
A document that highlights key information about the program, the research outcomes and information for collaborators is available in the following Indigenous languages and dialects. Please contact NRC.Arctic&Northern-Arctique&Nord.CNRC@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca if you wish to receive the overview document in any of the languages listed.
- Cree
- Inuinnaqtun
- Inuktitut
- Inuvialuktun
- Michif
- Tlicho
Areas of focus
Working with Canadian and international partners from Northern communities, academia, industry, government and other interested stakeholders, research conducted under the program will examine 4 research themes and 2 cross-cutting areas, as outlined in the program plan.
Research themes
Housing
Conduct applied research and/or develop technologies to improve the adequacy, suitability and affordability of Northern homes.
Health
Conduct applied research and/or develop technologies to improve the accessibility, comprehensiveness and appropriateness of Northern health resources.
Food
Conduct applied research and/or develop technologies to improve the accessibility, availability and quality of Northern food resources.
Water
Conduct applied research and/or develop technologies to improve the availability, accessibility and quality of Northern water resources.
Cross-cutting areas
Capacity building
Projects will demonstrate how they will aim to increase Northern and Indigenous R&D capacity (individual, organizational and community), to solve pressing issues confronting Northerners.
Traditional Knowledge
Projects will show how they will braid Traditional Knowledge with the study design, data collection, project implementation, training and/or technology advancement, with at least one Traditional Knowledge holder involved in the project.
Arctic and Northern Challenge program consultation summaries
Feedback from Northern peoples included advice on priority research areas, program mechanics and the importance of cross-cutting themes such as Traditional Knowledge and capacity building. 4 research themes were identified:
This information was used to develop the program plan and is provided here to help inform applications to the program. More comprehensive reports on the consultations are available upon request.
Getting involved
For collaborators
There will be ongoing future opportunities for Indigenous collaborators to get involved. Researchers from Indigenous governments and organizations as well as the academic, public and not for profit and private sectors may express their interest in collaborating by emailing us. In the meantime, follow us on social media for updates using #NRCArcticNorthernProgram.
Grant and contribution funding will be available through the NRC's National Program Office for eligible recipients collaborating on projects under the program. This may include contributions to collaborative R&D as well as equipment needed for research in fundamental areas. Consult the collaborative R&D funding page for more information.
The Canada-Inuit Nunangat-United Kingdom Arctic Research Programme (CINUK)
The program's first call with its Inuit, United Kingdom and Canadian partners, called CINUK, is complete, and 13 projects have been selected for funding. The research funded under the CINUK programme focuses on changing Arctic ecosystems and the impacts to Inuit communities and beyond.
News and events
News
Successful Canadian, Inuit and UK research teams announced for major new Arctic research programme
Contact us
If you are interested in collaborating, making investments in this area, attending a workshop or engagement activity, or if you have any questions, please send us an email.