Closed
Source verified July 8, 2026
First call for proposals for the Arctic and Northern Challenge program
Supports Arctic and Northern research collaboration
Offered by
Funding available
$ 50,000 - $ 450,000
Deadline
October 21, 2022
Location
Canada
Who can apply
Legally incorporated or registered organizations in Canada, including not-for-profit organizations, research institutions, and university institutions.
See full eligibility
Overview
First call for proposals for the Arctic and Northern Challenge program supports eligible Canadian organizations and other qualified recipients with up to $5 million over 3 years for research that improves life in Arctic and Northern communities. Projects may fund applied research, knowledge-mobilization equipment, and community engagement in housing, water, food, and health.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Develop team skills
- Conduct research and development activities
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 450,000 $
- Minimum amount : 50,000 $
- Up to 100% of project cost
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- All legal structures
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- 500 employees maximum
Audience
- All groups
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Applied research and development or application of technologies to improve housing quality, size, and affordability in the North
- Applied research and development or application of technologies to increase the availability, accessibility, and quality of water resources in the Arctic and North
- Applied research and development or application of technologies to improve access, availability, and quality of food resources in the Arctic and North
- Applied research and development or application of technologies to improve accessibility, completeness, and cultural appropriateness of health resources in the Arctic and North
- Projects that strengthen capacity and training in the North and integrate traditional knowledge into research design, data collection, implementation, training, or technology development
Documents Needed
- Letter of intent
- Detailed proposal
- Required supporting documents for the detailed proposal
- Declaration of no actual or apparent conflict of interest
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Legally incorporated or registered organizations in Canada, including not-for-profit organizations, research institutions, and university institutions.
- For-profit small and medium-sized enterprises with a maximum of 500 employees.
- Public organizations or Indigenous community groups.
- Provincial, territorial, regional, and municipal governments, and their departments and agencies.
- International recipients meeting the same criteria may also be considered when there is a benefit for Canada.
Eligible expenses
- Research activities
- Knowledge-mobilization equipment
- Community engagement activities
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Research whose results must remain secret
- Research subject to a non-disclosure agreement that would prevent dissemination of results
Eligible geographic areas
- Inuit Nunangat
- Yukon
- Northwest Territories
Selection criteria
- Detailed proposals are scored out of 100 points across four categories: Quality of research (48), Capacity building/training and traditional knowledge (20), Team composition (16), and Outcomes (16).
- A proposal must score at least 50% in each category and at least 70% overall to be considered.
- Peer review recommendations are used to rank the detailed proposals.
- Funding distribution aims to balance regions and themes, and projects showing the best collaboration may be prioritized.
How to apply
- Submit an expression of interest to receive the program guide, letter of intent template, ethics guidelines, and example research topics.
- Prepare a letter of intent with the research team.
- The principal investigator or project administrator submits the letter of intent to the CNRC on behalf of the research team.
- Selected teams are invited to prepare and submit a detailed proposal.
- The principal investigator or project administrator submits the detailed proposal to the CNRC on behalf of the research team.
Processing and Agreement
- Positive letters of intent are invited to submit a detailed proposal.
- The CNRC conducts due diligence to assess project benefits, risks, and the proposed budget.
- Funding is conditional on a signed funding agreement between the CNRC and the beneficiary.
- Funds are paid according to CNRC funding terms, and the list of beneficiaries is published after contracts are concluded.
- Funded projects must submit progress reports and take part in an annual meeting to discuss results.
- Decisions on eligibility and funding are final and without appeal.
Additional information
- The partner-matching tool is voluntary and does not provide any advantage for evaluation or future funding.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the First call for proposals for the Arctic and Northern Challenge program Program
What is the First call for proposals for the Arctic and Northern Challenge program?
First call for proposals for the Arctic and Northern Challenge program supports eligible Canadian organizations and other qualified recipients with up to $5 million over 3 years for research that improves life in Arctic and Northern communities. Projects may fund applied research, knowledge-mobilization equipment, and community engagement in housing, water, food, and health.
How much funding can be received?
First call for proposals for the Arctic and Northern Challenge program Funds up to 100% of admissible expenses, capped at $450,000 per project.
Who is eligible for the First call for proposals for the Arctic and Northern Challenge program program?
To be eligible for the First call for proposals for the Arctic and Northern Challenge program program, you must:
The project must be directly relevant to Arctic and Northern populations.
The project must be linked to one or more of the four themes: housing, water, food, and health.
The research team must include at least one traditional knowledge holder and an NRC collaborator.
What expenses are eligible under First call for proposals for the Arctic and Northern Challenge program?
Applied research and development or application of technologies to improve housing quality, size, and affordability in the North
Applied research and development or application of technologies to increase the availability, accessibility, and quality of water resources in the Arctic and North
Applied research and development or application of technologies to improve access, availability, and quality of food resources in the Arctic and North
Applied research and development or application of technologies to improve accessibility, completeness, and cultural appropriateness of health resources in the Arctic and North
Projects that strengthen capacity and training in the North and integrate traditional knowledge into research design, data collection, implementation, training, or technology development
Who can I contact for more information about the First call for proposals for the Arctic and Northern Challenge program?
You can contact National Research Council Canada (NRC) by email at NRC.Arctic&Northern-Arctique&Nord.CNRC@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca or by phone at none.
Where is the First call for proposals for the Arctic and Northern Challenge program available?
The First call for proposals for the Arctic and Northern Challenge program program is available across Canada.
Is the First call for proposals for the Arctic and Northern Challenge program a grant, loan, or tax credit?
First call for proposals for the Arctic and Northern Challenge program is a Grant and Funding