Multi-Partner Research Initiative: Indigenous-led research call for proposals

Introduction

Under Canada’s Oceans Protection Plan, Natural Resources Canada’s Multi-Partner Research Initiative (MPRI) aims to improve oil spill response tools and techniques and inform decisions that minimize the environmental impacts of oil spills. The initiative gathers leading researchers and knowledge holders, domestically and internationally, to design and collaborate on research questions related to the fate, behaviour, potential impacts and mitigation/remediation of oil spills in offshore, coastal and onshore environments.

Projects funded under the MPRI aim to:

• increase knowledge about the impact of spills on flora and fauna;
• develop new technologies and protocols for clean-up;
• support evidence-based knowledge for making decisions that minimize impacts to the environment and optimize habitat recovery;
• provide opportunities for participation and training of the next generation of oil spill scientists and responders (e.g., students and young professionals);
• involve oil spill responders and decision-makers to ensure practical applicability of research; and
• mobilize knowledge for both technical and general audiences.

To advance the inclusion of Indigenous voices in oil spill response research, preparedness, and decision-making, the MPRI will be funding Indigenous-led or focused research collaborations. The aim of these collaborations is to bridge, braid, or weave science and Indigenous methodologies in oil spill response research to advance knowledge and technology to better respond to oil spills in marine, coastal and freshwater environments. The purpose of this call is to fund projects that support an effective and inclusive spill preparedness and response regime.

Priority areas

The MPRI is currently seeking Expressions of Interest (EOI) for multi-disciplinary, multi-partner research projects to investigate one or more of the following research themes:

Theme 1: Fate, behaviour and transport of oil in the environment

Research to better understand what happens to oil when it is released in the environment, how it changes or breaks down over time, how it moves and where it ends up.

Theme 2: In-situ burning and Spill Treating Agents

Improving knowledge on the effectiveness and impacts of in-situ burning and Spill Treating Agents to add in decision-making.

In-situ burning: removing of spilled oil by igniting and burning it under controlled conditions.

Spill Treating Agents: products, including dispersants and surface washing agents, that help clean spilled oil by changing how it behaves in the environment.

Theme 3: Oil detection and monitoring

Improving technologies and techniques for detecting and characterizing oil in the environment during a spill.

Theme 4: Biological effects of oil

Studying the biological effects and impacts of oil and spill response measures on populations, communities, and ecosystems.

Theme 5: Physical recovery of oil

Improving technologies or techniques for removing oil using mechanical or physical techniques such as sorbents or booming and skimming. This includes research on decanting technologies, which is the process of separating water and oil after they are collected during booming and skimming.

Theme 6: Planning and decision-making

Advancing data accessibility and mobilization tools, including Artificial Intelligence applications, to enhance the precision and accuracy of predictive models and decision-making by oil spill responders.

Funding

The Department will consider single-year and multi-year proposals (maximum 3 fiscal years beginning April 1, 2024).

Projects must be completed on or before March 31, 2027.

The total NRCan contribution for:

1. Indigenous organizations or groups may be up to 100% of eligible costs per project
2. For-profit recipients shall not exceed 50% of the eligible costs per project
3. All other recipients shall not exceed 75% of eligible costs per project

Eligibility criteria

Eligible projects

Eligible projects may:

1. Be science pathways based,
2. Be Indigenous knowledge based, or
3. Bridge, braid, or weave Indigenous methodologies and science pathways.

Please contact the MPRI team at nrcan.opp.mpri-ppo.irmp.rncan@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca for feedback on the suitability of your project idea.

Eligible applicants

Eligible recipients are:

• Indigenous individuals and entities in Canada, including:
  • Indigenous communities and governments
  • Tribal councils or entities that fulfill a similar function (e.g., general council)
  • National and regional Indigenous organizations
  • Indigenous (majority owned) organizations or for-profit businesses.
• Non-Indigenous entities*, who are working with, or on behalf of, one or more above endorsing Indigenous partner organization(s), including:
  • Not-for-profit organizations
  • Academia and research associations
  • Provincial, territorial, municipal and regional governments
  • For-profit businesses

Note: The term “Indigenous” is understood to include person(s) of Inuit, Métis, and First Nations identity.

* Projects led by non-Indigenous entities must include at least one eligible Indigenous organization as a partner (co-lead) (letter(s) of endorsement required) and involve direct meaningful Indigenous involvement and capacity building.

Eligible costs

Payments to eligible recipients may be used to offset reasonable costs of projects under contribution agreements, including eligible costs for:

1. Salaries and Benefits
2. Professional and technical services such as, but not limited to, research, consulting, engineering, trades, and laboratory services;
3. Travel expenses, including transportation, accommodation, and meals;
4. Publication, printing, and other media services;
5. Registration costs for attendance to workshops, conferences, meetings, symposia;
6. Training costs;
7. Fees to access equipment and vessels;
8. Rental and maintenance of facilities and equipment;
9. Laboratory and scientific supplies;
10. Overhead expenditures provided they are directly related and essential to the conduct of the project, up to 15% of eligible expenditures, include:
    1. Administrative support provided directly to the project by the eligible recipient’s employee(s), valued on the same basis as professional staff time;
    2. Heat, hydro and office operating costs (e.g. faxes, telephone).
    3. GST, PST or HST, net of any tax rebate to which the Recipient is entitled.
11. Indigenous engagement, including honoraria, ceremonial items, gifts and/or feasts.

How to apply

Eligible recipients interested in being considered for financial support are required to:

1. Request an application package, please email us at nrcan.opp.mpri-ppo.irmp.rncan@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca
2. Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to nrcan.opp.mpri-ppo.irmp.rncan@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca on or before the application deadline.

Full project details, including methods, workplan, deliverables, confirmed partners, and complete budgets are not required at the Expression of Interest (EOI) stage.

Applicants whose EOIs are screened-in for further consideration will be invited to submit full project proposals. Additional time will be given to submit the full project proposals.

The MPRI team will provide feedback and support to Indigenous applicants, where applicable, to support the development of full proposals.

Application deadline

Priority will be given to EOIs received before May 31, 2024, at 11:59 PST. After this deadline, EOIs will continue to be accepted until all funding has been awarded.

Related links

• Oceans Protection Plan
• Multi-Partner Research Initiative
• Oil spill prevention and response in Canada