Oil Spill Recovery Institute - Call for Proposals

Eligibility

Proposal grant applications are accepted from individuals, organizations, and businesses nationally and internationally.  

Summary

The 2026-26 Call for Proposals covers four topics:

Oil Spill Risk Analysis

OSRI is interested in an analysis of publicly available data to create a maritime oil spill risk profile in the Bering Sea and Straits region based on current marine activity including scenarios associated with vessel groundings, fire or other structural damage.

Deadline to apply: 01/16/2026

See Full Listing | Download PDF

Trajectory Analysis Planner

OSRI is interested in developing a Trajectory Analysis Planner oil spill model, for the Arctic and Subarctic regions of Alaska. A Trajectory Analysis Planner (TAP) provides a probabilistic model framework for identifying areas at risk from a spill at a given location, shoreline impact analysis, and response time analysis.

Deadline to apply: 01/16/2026

See Full Listing | Download PDF

Shoreline Oil Detection

OSRI is seeking proposals to demonstrate the capabilities of sensors being built for deployment on Uncrewed Autonomous Systems to detect a variety of oils on a variety of beach substrates.

Deadline to apply: 01/16/2026

See Full Listing | Download PDF

Science of Oil Spills Remote Learning Course

OSRI is interested in the further development and completion of a remote learning version of the Science of Oil Spills course which has traditionally been delivered in person by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Office of Response and Restoration, and their contractors. OSRI has already developed an initial start to the remote learning version of this course, and is seeking proposals to create a finalized, user-ready version.

Deadline to apply: 01/16/2026

See Full Listing | Download PDF

Overhead

Note that there is no default Indirect Cost (IDC) formula in the summary page. The rate varies and applicants may use an IDC up to their institution’s federally recognized IDC. 

The University of Calgary uses a federally negotiated indirect costs rate of 39.8%. Note: This rate is applied to salaries only. 

Application deadlines

RSO detailed review deadline

RSO final internal review deadline

Program application deadline

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.

Postdocs, students, and trainees: For fellowships and externally-sponsored research training awards or opportunities, you must complete the Research Funding Application Approval (RFAA) Trainee PDF form, and submit it, along with a complete copy of the application, to Research Services at rsotrainee@ucalgary.ca. Trainees should not use RMS at this time.

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.

TO APPLY

Application Form

Budget Forms

RESOURCES

Reminder: The sooner the researcher engages with Research Services, the more help we can be!

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.

Pre-Award Submissions:
RMS: Creating a Pre-Award Application