Genome Canada recently launched the Climate-Smart Agriculture and Food Systems Initiative to invest $30M in cutting-edge genomic research and innovation to reduce the carbon footprint of Canada’s food production systems.
The Climate-Smart Agriculture and Food Systems Initiative will fund a portfolio of interdisciplinary genomics research and innovation projects connected by cross-cutting programs designed to ensure they translate into solutions for Canadians. The portfolio approach allows benefits from one solution to translate into other food systems/supply chains and cascade impact throughout the broader food system.
The Initiative will deploy a number of funding opportunities that will make up the portfolio. The Interdisciplinary Challenge Teams (ICT2022) funding opportunity represents the largest, key component of the initiative. Through the ICT2022 competition, Genome Canada will invest approximately $24M to support integrated teams of researchers and users across various disciplines working together to address specific questions, achieve relevant deliverables and, ultimately, reduce the carbon footprint and greenhouse gas emissions of Canada’s agriculture and food systems.
To be eligible, projects must demonstrate how genomic technologies have the potential to address one or more of the following impact areas:
- Net-zero carbon agriculture and food systems
- Biological carbon sequestration
- Resilient and sustainable food systems
- Scalable biology-based solutions
Examples of eligible research, plus details about the competition, are available on Genome BC’s website.
Key elements of the Interdisciplinary Challenge Teams opportunity:
| Funding Envelope | Approx. $24M |
| Project Duration | Up to 4 years |
| Funding | Genome Canada will contribute $1M to $3M per project |
| Co-funding | Genome Canada’s contribution must be matched 1:1 from eligible co-funding sources. Genome BC is committed to supporting BC based research in this initiative. See below for details* |
| Application Process | Registration, Letter of Intent and Full Application |
| Deadline | Draft registrations are due to Genome BC by June 27, 2022 |
*Genome BC is committed to supporting BC-based research funded through Genome Canada’s Climate-Smart Agriculture and Food Systems Initiative. For projects that are led by a BC-based project leader, Genome BC is committed to providing co-funding up to 25% of the total project budget, not to exceed $2M, if the project is approved for funding by Genome Canada.
For projects that involve research conducted in BC, or services provided by Canada’s Michael Smith Genome Sciences Centre (https://bcgsc.ca) or BC nodes of the Pan-Canadian Proteomic Centre (https://www.pcproteomics.com/) or The Metabolomics Innovation Centre (https://www.proteincentre.com/metabolomics), Genome BC will commit co-funding up to 25% of BC-based project expenses, if at least $600,000 is spent in BC.
| Interested applicants are encouraged to direct questions to Genome BC at ClimateSmart@genomebc.ca or register for one of our upcoming information sessions:
May 27, 2022 from 9-10 am PDT |