Génome Québec is pleased to announce the launch of the Climate Action Genomics Initiative from Genome Canada called Climate-Smart Agriculture and Food Systems. This initiative is investing $30M in cutting-edge genomic research and innovation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the carbon footprint of Canada’s food production systems ?building their resiliency, environmental sustainability, and economic viability.
In particular, the initiative will focus on genomic tools and technologies that will help mitigate climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions (namely CO2, CH4 and N2O) or enhancing their capture and storage. The Initiative aims to :
- Reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the carbon footprints of food production and inputs manufacturing.
- Enhance carbon sequestration to improve performance, mitigate climate impacts and support healthy ecosystems.
- Build resilient, sustainable food systems that reduce environmental impacts and greenhouse gas emissions.
- Result in novel, nature-based solutions and processes that can replace traditional consumptive production processes with sustainable and circular solutions for the environment and economy.
The 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 production systems or supply chains and cascade impact throughout the broader food system.
To learn more about the Climate Action Genomics Initiative: Climate-Smart Agriculture and Food Systems, please consult the overview and Genome Canada’s blog.
The Initiative will deploy three funding opportunities that will make up the portfolio :
1. Funding for Interdisciplinary Challenge Teams (ICT, $24M) – CLOSED
Teams of researchers and receptors addressing specific questions that will deliver innovative genomics solutions that support climate change mitigation and action.
The funding envelope for this opportunity is $24 million from Genome Canada. The contribution of Genome Canada for each approved project will range from $1 million to $3 million. Co-funding of these projects will have to be provided by eligible sources such that co-funding is at least equal to the Genome Canada contribution.
All applicants must submit their application through Génome Québec. The process will consist of a mandatory registration, a letter of intent followed by a full application.
The important dates and process for this funding opportunity are as follows:
| May 16, 2022 | Funding Opportunity Launch |
| July 4, 2022 – NoonDeadline | Submission of registration to Génome Québec by email at lsabatier@genomequebec.wp.vortexdev.com |
| Mid-July 2022 | Genome Canada virtual info session |
| July-August 2022 | Letter of intent development with Génome Québec |
| Mid-September 2022 | Submission of letter of intent to Génome Québec by email at lsabatier@genomequebec.wp.vortexdev.com |
| December 2022 -January 2023 | Full Application development with Génome Québec |
| Mid-January 2023 | Submission of full application to Génome Québec by email at lsabatier@genomequebec.wp.vortexdev.com |
| March 2023 | Funding results |
Please note that all application documents must be submitted through Génome Québec. In addition, Génome Québec offers its expertise by supporting teams throughout each step of this initiative. Génome Québec expects applicants to actively participate in all activities offered by Génome Québec to improve the competitiveness of their proposal. To obtain more details related to the initiative, please contact Laetitia Sabatier,Operations and Programs Manager, by email at lsabatier@genomequebec.wp.vortexdev.com.
2. Knowledge Mobilization and Implementation Coordination Hub (KMIC Hub, $2M)
This funding opportunity is to support a single pan-Canadian team that will develop and implement a portfolio-level knowledge mobilization and implementation plan for Genome Canada’s Climate-Smart Agriculture and Food Systems Initiative. The team will coordinate knowledge mobilization and implementation activities with interdisciplinary research teams (ICT) to ensure that research and investments produce the intended impacts and outcomes. This will include undertaking key GE3LS research at the portfolio level and advancing genomic technologies and policies that have the potential to measurably mitigate climate change by reducing carbon emissions and increasing carbon sequestration.
The funding envelope for this opportunity is $2,1 million from Genome Canada. Co-funding will have to be provided by eligible sources such that co-funding is at least equal to the Genome Canada contribution.
All applicants must submit their application through Génome Québec. The process will consist of a mandatory registration followed by a full application. Genome Québec encourages interested applicants to contact Génome Québec early to profit from personalized support in crafting a competitive proposal. Please contact Caroline Telekawa, Program Manager, at ctelekawa@genomequebec.wp.vortexdev.com for questions and document submissions.
The important dates and process for the KMIC funding opportunity are as follows :
| August 23, 2022 | Funding Opportunity Launch |
| Sept – Nov 2022 | Drafting of registrations |
| December 12 at 10:00 am | Submission of registration to Génome Québec |
| December 2022 – April 2023 | Full Application development with Génome Québec |
| April 2023*Precisions on the deadline to come | Submission of full application to Génome Québec |
| Early July 2023 | Notification of Funding decisions |
| May to late July 2023 | ICT and Hub teams convene |
Forms will be available later and must be completed electronically.
3. Data Coordination and Collaboration Hub (Data Hub, $4M)
This funding opportunity aims to support a single pan-Canadian team that will develop and implement a data plan for Genome Canada’s Climate-Smart Agriculture and Food Systems Initiative. First, the team will internally coordinate data-related activities across the interdisciplinary research teams (ICT) to add value and consistency to the genomic data assets that are being generated. Second, the team will help the projects leverage these data assets to externally advance genomic technologies and policies that have the potential to measurably mitigate climate change, such as by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and/or increasing carbon sequestration. The broader vision is to co-develop the foundation of a collaborative Canadian climate genomic data hub.
The total funding envelope for this opportunity is $4 million from Genome Canada. Co-funding will have to be provided by eligible sources such that co-funding is at least equal to the Genome Canada contribution.
All applicants must submit their application documents through Génome Québec. The process will consist of a mandatory registration, followed by a full application. Génome Québec encourages interested applicants to contact Génome Québec early to profit from personalized support in crafting a competitive proposal. Please contact Annina Spilker, Program manager and strategic initiatives, at aspilker@genomequebec.wp.vortexdev.com for questions and document submissions.
The important dates and process for the Data Hub funding opportunity are as follows:
| August 23, 2022 | Funding Opportunity Launch |
| Sept – Nov 2022 | Drafting of registrations |
| December 12 at 10:00 am | Submission of registration to Génome Québec |
| December 2022 – April 2023 | Full Application development with Génome Québec |
| April 2023*Precisions on the deadline to come | Submission of full application to Génome Québec |
| Early July 2023 | Notification of Funding decisions |
| May to late July 2023 | ICT and Hub teams convene |
Forms will be available later and must be completed electronically.