Grants and Contributions

This project seeks to develop a sustainable, community-led scallop and sea cucumber fishery in Ungava Bay in partnership with the Makivvik Corporation and researchers from the University of Quebec at Trois-Rivières. Using the Lampsilis research vessel, the project will survey marine stocks and broader ecosystem variables to assess fishery feasibility and establish a baseline for long-term environmental monitoring. The initiative also emphasizes collaboration with local communities to promote knowledge exchange and support adaptation to climate change.

This project will study the impacts of a newly constructed firebreak on permafrost, soil, and vegetation in Sambaa K’e’s sensitive northern landscape. By comparing disturbed and undisturbed sites across diverse ecosystems, the research will track permafrost thaw, soil conditions, and plant recovery, providing essential data for local climate resilience and land-use planning. With strong community involvement, including training for youth and Guardians, the project supports Indigenous-led stewardship and contributes to broader northern science and wildfire mitigation strategies.

This project partners with four northern communities (Old Crow (Yukon), Kugaaruk and Taloyoak (Nunavut), and Sachs Harbour (Northwest Territories)) to explore ways to improve the Nutrition North Canada (NNC) subsidy program, which aims to reduce food costs in remote areas but often fails to fully benefit consumers. Through collaborative modeling and community input, the study will assess the feasibility of requiring stores to offer key foods at fair, set prices based on southern pricing data. The project emphasizes community-led research, early engagement, and Indigenous leadership, aiming to support food sovereignty and inform more effective NNC policies grounded in northern realities.

This project will support Land Guardian Patrols in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region by funding the purchase of GPS, solar technology, and other necessary supplies. It will also host biannual community feasts in Aklavik, NT to share updates on the development of the Aullaviat Anguniarvik Guardian and Stewardship Program. Patrols and activities will focus on the Aullaviat/Anguniarvik Traditional Conservation Area on the Eastern Yukon North Slope.

This Yukon-based project aims to establish a Yukon Network Environment for Indigenous Health Research (Yukon NEIHR), led by Yukon First Nations (YFN) Elders, scholars, and community researchers. It will strengthen YFN-led health research by creating space for collaboration on shared priorities, ethics, training, and governance rooted in YFN knowledge and values. POLAR funding will support engagement with YFN communities to guide the development of research methods, mentorship, and training for future Indigenous health researchers.

The Porcupine Caribou Management Board is leading the final phase of creating a Conservation Plan for the Porcupine Caribou herd, aiming to ensure its long-term survival and support the communities that depend on it. The plan will integrate Indigenous and scientific knowledge, with input from eight Yukon and NWT communities (Old Crow, Dawson, Mayo, Aklavik, Fort McPherson, Tsiigehtchic, Inuvik, and Tuktoyaktuk), to reflect shared priorities and experiences. This collaborative effort addresses growing environmental and development pressures, promoting stewardship and Indigenous leadership in protecting the herd and its habitat.

This project will focus on the Tundra Science and Culture Camp (TSCC) which is an 8-day outdoor educational program for high school students and educators from the Northwest Territories, held each summer at the Tundra Ecosystem Research Station on Daring Lake. Established in 1995 through a partnership between the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) and the Tłı̨chǫ Government, the camp offers participants a hands-on, immersive experience in the Southern Arctic Ecozone. TSCC blends scientific learning with Indigenous knowledge, featuring sessions led by northern researchers, educators, and Tłı̨chǫ knowledge holders. Participants explore tundra ecology, wildlife, plants, and cultural history while engaging in inquiry-based research, traditional activities, and recreation such as fishing, berry picking, and storytelling. The program emphasizes cross-cultural learning and fosters interest in environmental and interdisciplinary studies

This research project addresses community concerns in Nunatsiavut, Labrador about the health, availability, and contaminant levels in ringed seals (Natsik) and polar bears (Nanuk), both of which are being affected by climate change. Using historical records and new field data, the study will examine how changing environmental conditions over the past 30 years have altered the diet and contaminant exposure—especially mercury—of these top Arctic predators. Initiated in response to local priorities, the project supports Inuit food security, informs conservation planning under the National Marine Conservation Areas Act, and strengthens community-based research and governance in the region.

The Northern Science Award is presented annually to an individual or a team who have made a significant contribution to advancing knowledge and understanding of the Canadian North.

The POLAR Travel Grant helps eligible Indigenous and northern residents of the Canadian north and Arctic applicants; to offset the cost of travel to conferences, fora or committee meetings.