MEOPAR Expedition Fund ? Strategic Support Horizon (Canada)

Deadline: 30-Oct-26

The MEOPAR Expedition Fund – Strategic Support Horizon supports Canadian-led multidisciplinary ocean research expeditions that advance Canada’s ocean priorities. The program provides funding for vessel operations and eligible scientific mobilization and demobilization costs while encouraging collaboration with Indigenous communities, Indigenous-owned research vessels, and under-represented groups. What Is the MEOPAR Expedition Fund – Strategic Support Horizon? The Marine Environmental Observation, Prediction and Response Network (MEOPAR) is a Canadian not-for-profit organization that supports ocean research, training, and communication through targeted funding programs. The Strategic Support Horizon is designed to improve access to seagoing research vessels and ocean research infrastructure. It enables multidisciplinary research teams to conduct expeditions that address important challenges affecting Canada’s oceans and coastal environments. The program also promotes partnerships with First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities and encourages the involvement of Indigenous-owned research vessels.

Objectives of the MEOPAR Expedition Fund

The fund aims to strengthen Canada’s ocean research and environmental observing capabilities. Supported projects should contribute to one or more of the following objectives: - Improve ocean and coastal observation. - Develop better ocean prediction tools and techniques. - Improve the collection and sharing of ocean information. - Strengthen evidence for environmental decision-making and climate adaptation. - Increase coastal community resilience. - Protect marine ecosystems. - Support economic opportunities related to Canada’s oceans. - Improve access to ocean research infrastructure. - Encourage innovation in marine research and technology. - Diversify Canada’s ocean-related research and innovation workforce. - Strengthen collaboration with Indigenous and under-represented communities. What Projects Does the Fund Support? The program supports Canadian-led multidisciplinary ocean research expeditions that require access to seagoing vessels or related research infrastructure.

Potential areas of research may include:

- Ocean and coastal observation. - Marine ecosystem monitoring. - Climate change and adaptation. - Coastal resilience. - Marine environmental research. - Ocean prediction. - Marine data collection. - Development of observation technologies. - Environmental monitoring systems. - Ocean information-sharing tools. - Research supporting coastal communities and decision-makers. Projects should demonstrate a clear connection to Canada’s ocean priorities and explain how expedition activities will generate useful scientific, environmental, economic, or community outcomes. Indigenous Collaboration and Community Partnerships MEOPAR encourages meaningful collaboration with Indigenous communities and organizations. Applicants are encouraged to develop partnerships involving: - First Nations communities. - Métis communities. - Inuit communities. - Indigenous governments. - Indigenous organizations. - Indigenous-owned research vessels. - Under-represented groups within Canada’s ocean research sector. These partnerships can contribute Indigenous knowledge, strengthen community participation, improve access to research infrastructure, and support more inclusive approaches to ocean research and decision-making. Funding Available MEOPAR expects to fund approximately 4 to 6 expeditions per year through the Strategic Support Horizon. The total annual funding budget is approximately $1 million. Funding is primarily intended to support costs associated with conducting the proposed ocean research expedition.

Eligible funding can cover:

- Vessel operation fees. - Vessel mobilization. - Vessel demobilization. - Scientific mobilization costs. - Scientific demobilization costs for the lead organization. Mobilization and Demobilization Costs Applicants may allocate up to 5% of the requested MEOPAR budget to eligible mobilization and demobilization expenses. Applicants should ensure that these costs are clearly identified in the proposed budget and directly connected to the expedition. Overhead Support Overhead support is available under the program at a rate of no more than 15% of expedition costs. Applicants should ensure that their budget follows the applicable funding limits and clearly distinguishes eligible expedition costs from overhead. Matching Funding Requirement Applicants are required to secure matching funds from non-federal government partners.

The minimum matching ratio is:

- $1 of matching funding for every $0.80 requested from MEOPAR. For example, an applicant requesting $100,000 from MEOPAR must provide at least $80,000 in eligible matching support. Applicants that secure a higher matching ratio may receive additional points during the assessment process. Who Is Eligible to Apply? The MEOPAR Expedition Fund is open to several types of Canadian organizations involved in research, innovation, Indigenous engagement, public engagement, and ocean-related activities.

Eligible applicants include:

- Canadian post-secondary institutions. - Not-for-profit organizations. - Indigenous organizations. - Indigenous governments. - Municipalities. - Research networks. - Public engagement networks. - Organizations delivering public engagement activities. - Companies delivering public engagement activities. - Start-up companies. - Start-ups operating through post-secondary-linked incubators. Applicants should confirm that their organization meets the program’s eligibility requirements before submitting a proposal. Who Is Not Eligible? The following Government of Canada organizations are not eligible to receive funding: - Federal government departments. - Federal government agencies. - Crown Corporations of the Government of Canada. Other organizations should review their institutional eligibility and funding arrangements before preparing an application. W