the 2023 catalyst funding program in healthy aging aims to identify and support emerging research in technology-enabled healthy aging, foster networking and collaboration, and build capacity in aging innovation research in canada.

it is expected that small-scale projects or pilot studies funded through this call will provide a foundation for future larger research projects or funding applications.

xecs, the eureka cluster focused on electronic components and systems (ecs), has launched their second annual call for collaborative research and development project proposals.

sector of focus

micro/nano-electronics and photonics with applications in the following areas:

• agri-food and natural resources
• digital industry
• digital society
• energy
• health and well-being
• mobility

the zero emission vehicle awareness initiative (zevai) is looking to fund new and innovative projects that aim to increase knowledge, awareness, and confidence in medium- and heavy-duty zero-emission or low-emission vehicles among fleet owners, drivers and the general public.

this can include battery electric, hydrogen fuel cell, and renewable natural gas-powered vehicles, engine repowers and conversions, as well as fuel-efficient retrofits, fleet assessments and smart logistics. medium- and heavy-duty vehicles (mhdvs) are those that weigh more than 8,500 lbs, including large pickup trucks, delivery vans, refuse trucks, buses, and long-haul freight trucks (classes 2b to 8). this call for proposals will support—via cost-shared contribution agreements—outreach, education, and capacity-building activities, enabling greater adoption of zevs and lower-carbon vehicles in the mhdv sector in all regions of the country.

nrcan will provide funding for new and innovative awareness and education activities that are to take place in canada and that will facilitate the uptake of zero-emission or low-emission medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, including battery electric, hydrogen fuel cell, alternative fuel, or retrofits and repowers for internal combustion engines.

proposed projects could include, but are not limited to:

• developing and implementing novel targeted outreach and awareness campaigns
• creating new web-based resources or information portals
• demonstrating the potential of zero-emission or low-emission vehicles and showcasing them through test-drive and trial programs, mobile showcases, ambassador or mentorship programs, including in underserved areas
• undertaking actions to increase knowledge and visibility of electric vehicle (ev) charging infrastructure and alternative fuel technologies (e.g., hydrogen fuelling technology)
• increasing knowledge of zero-emission or low-emission fleet options and technologies among end users such as commercial or municipal fleets
• developing curriculum, training material, or best practice guides and educational tools to support the uptake of zero-emission or low-emission mhdvs throughout canada
• developing resources to assist fleets in decision-making to support the transition to lower-carbon and zero-emission vehicles
• creating educational material for fleets on the emissions reduction potential and savings from engine conversions, repowers or fuel-efficient retrofits
• educating fleet owners on methods for fleet assessments and the use of smart logistics to reduce emissions

please note, nrcan will not fund advertising or marketing campaigns (e.g., endorsements of single products or services) designed to generate sales revenue for the applicant or project partners. under this cfp, nrcan will not fund repeat or extended projects (same deliverables, audience, location) that were previously undertaken by the organization. annual events held by organizations are not eligible for nrcan funding.

global affairs canada and the chinese ministry of education are offering short-term scholarships to canadians wishing to pursue post-secondary academic study, research or chinese language training or a combination of these activities at participating chinese institutions . established in 1973, the canada-china scholars’ exchange program (ccsep) was the result of an undertaking by then chinese premier zhou enlai and canadian prime minister pierre elliott trudeau. over the past 49 years, more than 1,100 scholars have participated in the program. canadian scholars have brought new perspectives to their host country and returned to canada with enhanced knowledge and understanding of china.

scholarships are tenable at chinese institutions that admit scholarship recipients of the chinese government scholarship. these institutions are marked by an asterisk (*) in the list of participating chinese institutions.

ccsep is part of global affairs canada’s international scholarships program.

please contact jill sherman for more information at:  intl.research@lakeheadu.ca.

the specific objectives of this funding opportunity are:

• to support planning activities, partnership development and to increase understanding of the health research landscape that will contribute to the advancement of research consistent with the mandate of cihr; and
• to support dissemination events and activities that focus on the communication of health research evidence to the appropriate researcher or knowledge-user audiences, tailoring the message and medium as appropriate.

the specific objectives of this funding opportunity are to:

1. communicate and disseminate high-quality research evidence, including but not limited to cihr-funded research, on a health research topic of public interest in an easily-understood and interesting format;
2. promote the mobilization of knowledge between cihr’s health research community and members of the canadian public to increase the impact of health research;
3. foster engagement between health researchers and knowledge users to encourage participatory approaches to knowledge mobilization in health research; and
4. encourage canadians to contribute their views on future research directions

the critical minerals innovation fund (cmif) is an initiative to strengthen the critical minerals sector by supporting projects that will stimulate investments in ontario’s critical minerals supply chain and protect the province’s economic interests.

the cmif aims to support projects involving research, development and/or commercialization of innovative technologies, techniques, processes and solutions helping increase exploration, mining, development, production and processing of critical minerals within ontario. it will also enhance collaboration between industry, academia, start-ups, and research and development firms to encourage innovation in the critical minerals sector.

eligible recipients can receive up to $500,000 per project to cover 50% of eligible costs.