Natural Resources Initiative
Enabling Canada’s bio-revolution in natural resources management
The pressure is on Canada to respond to urgent economic and environmental challenges while building long-term prosperity and competitiveness. In the past, the position has been the choice between economic development or climate-focused development, but the Natural Resources Initiative is striking the perfect balance of both.
This new program is taking the bio-revolution to a new level by funding a coordinated portfolio of projects that will lay the foundation for a generational transformation in natural resources systems and biodiversity management across the country.
Canada’s natural resources systems include:
- Mining and critical minerals
- Forestry
- Freshwater systems
- Fisheries
We know biodiversity-based sectors like these are under intense pressure from climate change, biodiversity loss, global competition and economic volatility. These sectors are also expected to respond to these threats faster and with effective solutions. NRI will help them do that through an investment of $50 million over the next three years from the Government of Canada, Genome Canada and its partners.
Funding Opportunities
Stream 1: Driver projects
Stand-alone, mission-driven, impact-focused research investments designed to address challenges faced in Canada’s natural resources systems, such as improving biodiversity monitoring, enhancing regulatory efficiency, developing sustainable resource management strategies, strengthening climate adaptation, and protecting critical ecosystems.
Stream 2: National genomics data hub
A coordinating platform to support and steward data generated by the Stream 1 driver projects, enabling the development and use of a common, findable and usable national genomic data resource focused on genetic diversity across Canada’s natural resources systems.
Stream 3: Indigenous data governance frameworks
Co-developed with relevant rights holders, these frameworks will develop concrete tools and resources by which Indigenous genomic and environmental data, knowledge and assets are owned, accessed, utilized, shared and ultimately stewarded within, and where appropriate, beyond the initiative.
Please refer to the Funding Opportunity for additional information about each stream, including available funding and eligibility.