Genome Canada 2026 Enabling Canada’s Bio Revolution in Natural Resources Management – Stream 1: Driver Projects
Descriptions
Opportunity link:
Opportunity type:
Sponsor:
Award amount and duration:
Currency:
Eligibility
Eligible projects must:
- Have a minimum project budget of $2,000,000
- Have a minimum 1:1 co-funding ratio (Genome Canada funding : all co-funding sources)
- Have a project term up to 3 years
- Projects may:
- improve biodiversity monitoring
- enhance regulatory efficiency
- develop sustainable resource management strategies
- strengthen climate adaptation
- protect critical ecosystems
- address emerging biological threats
- advance environmental technologies
- support Indigenous-led stewardship initiatives
Summary
*This posting may be updated following the Genome Canada webinars of June 24 and 29, 2026 (see Additional Information section below).
We are in the midst of a bio-revolution, fuelled by rapid advances in genomic sequencing speed and scale, alongside artificial intelligence (AI) technologies that make it possible to analyze and train on vast volumes of genomic data. High-quality, standardized genomic and natural resources data enable earlier detection of ecological change and more adaptive, evidence-based management.
Countries and industries that can integrate these capabilities into natural resources management and biodiversity protection will set the global standard, growing their economies while building environmental resilience for the long-term, and be best positioned to protect their populations and ecosystems from emerging biological threats.
Genome Canada’s natural resources initiative will enable earlier detection of ecological change, more adaptive resource management and more effective regulatory and stewardship decisions. It will grow a coordinated, interoperable and responsibly governed natural resources genomics data ecosystem that supports next generation resource management and environmental protection while respecting and investing in Indigenous data governance and sovereignty. For more information, please see the initiative overview.
The Initiative will be deployed through three streams:
- Stream 1: Driver Projects
- Will produce high-quality, standardized, AI-ready genomic datasets
- Stream 2: National Genomics Data Hub
- Will establish a national genomics data hub in natural resources that provides standards and infrastructure needed for long-term impact
- Stream 3: Indigenous Data Governance Frameworks
- Will facilitate the development of Indigenous-led, distinctions-based governance frameworks
Stream 1: Driver Projects
Genome Canada will invest $19M to support driver projects – stand-alone, mission-driven, impact-focused research investments designed to address challenges faced in Canada’s natural resources systems. The aim of this portfolio of projects is to advance understanding of genomics within Canada’s natural resources and apply it across forestry, energy, wild fisheries, mining and critical minerals, freshwater and biodiversity-related sectors.
Projects will produce high-quality, standardized, AI-ready genomic datasets and encourage collaboration between academia, industry, government and Indigenous partners where appropriate to project objectives. Genomics in society activities will be included to share knowledge and promote adoption of genomics in natural resources. Indigenous-led driver projects will be led by and for First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities and governments, with Indigenous-defined data governance and decision rights over the full data lifecycle.
SUBMISSION PROCESS
The application process consists of two stages:
- Letter of Intent (LOI)
- Full application – on invitation only
For the LOI, applicants will be asked to provide a brief summary of the following:
- The proposed research plan, including embedded genomics and its ethical, environmental, economic, legal and social aspects (GE3LS) research and data management strategy
- Impact and benefits to Indigenous Peoples and Canada
- Project leaders and their areas of expertise
- Budget and co-funding plan
Applicants who are deemed eligible will be invited to submit a full proposal.
Individuals interested in participating or who have questions should contact Julie Greer at Genome Alberta (GAB) at jgreer@genomealberta.ca (cc Research Services at ipd@ucalgary.ca) as soon as possible. Letter of Intent forms and instructions will be provided by GAB to interested applicants.
Institutional and agency milestones are listed below, additional instructions follow.
Timeline
Activity: Submit Letter of Intent (LOI) to GAB and Research Services; approvals within RMS
- email to jgreer@genomealberta.ca, cc ipd@ucalgary.ca
Deadline: ASAP or by 9 am July 31, 2026
Activity: Invitation to full application
Deadline: Within 10 bus. days of LOI submission to Genome Canada
Activity: Submit draft full proposal and budget (no signatures required) to Research Services
- email to ipd@ucalgary.ca, cc jgreer@genomealberta.ca
Deadline: By 9 am September 21, 2026
Activity: Submit final full proposal and budget to Research Services for final review; approvals within RMS
- email to ipd@ucalgary.ca, cc jgreer@genomealberta.ca
Deadline: By 9 am October 14, 2026
- Activity: Submit final full proposal (including signatures) to Genome Alberta
- email to jgreer@genomealberta.ca, cc ipd@ucalgary.ca
Deadline: October 21, 2026
Overhead
Not applicable
Deadlines
Application deadlines
RSO final internal review deadline
Program application deadline
Approvals
NOTE: Consult your Faculty Associate Dean (Research) (ADR) regarding Faculty-specific deadlines and submission processes.
Principal Investigators: Complete a Research Management System (RMS) record, including a copy of your complete application, and submit this for approvals in RMS.
Approvals: The University of Calgary requires that all funding applications be approved prior to submission. Approval requires signatures via either RMS or the RFAA Trainee form, in the following order:
- Principal Investigator
- Department Head
- Faculty ADR/Dean
- Research Services (on behalf of the Vice-President Research)
Read the Meaning of Grant Signatures policy to understand what your approval means. Please see the agency guidelines for details about which signatures are required on your application, as it may differ from internal requirements.
Late submissions: Late submissions will only be accepted in cases of medical or family emergencies, or other exceptional circumstances. If you submit your RMS record to Research Services after the internal deadline has passed, you must secure additional approvals. Please read: Late Applications Process.
Additional Information
Genome Alberta will offer information webinars on:
Register using this link.
RESOURCES
Reminder: The sooner the researcher engages with Research Services, the more help we can be!
Genome Canada’s Guidelines for Funding
Contact the following Research Service units for support with:
Projects Involving Indigenous Research:
Support with incorporating wise practices in Indigenous research, community engagement, and Indigenous data management is available through the Indigenous Research Support Team (IRST).
Applicants can reach out by email to IRST at IRST@ucalgary.ca in advance of the RSO internal deadline. For more information about IRST, please visit the IRST webpage.
Knowledge Mobilization, Research Impact Assessment, DORA:
Support for knowledge mobilization/engagement/translation, community partnerships, research impact, responsible research assessment (DORA), and open science, is available through the Knowledge to Impact team.
Applicants can reach out by email to the KI team at knowledge.impact@ucalgary.ca.
For more information and access to resource archives, please visit the KI team webpage.
Research Data Management:
For information on research data management plans, processes, or best practices for your research program, please contact research.data@ucalgary.ca.
EDI in Research:
RSO can provide resources and support to research teams on the integration of equitable and inclusive practices in research design and research practice.
Contact edi.rso@ucalgary.ca for more information.
Research Security:
The Research Security Division is available to ensure researchers adhere to research security guidelines and policies, including the National Security Guidelines for Research Partnerships (NSGRP) and the policy on Sensitive Technology Research and Affiliations of Concern (STRAC).
Visit the Research Security website to learn more or contact researchsecurity@ucalgary.ca.
Contact Details
Keywords
Genomics
Natural Resources
Genome