Request for Proposals: Amplification Grant Program (Canada)

Deadline: 31-Jul-2026

The Amplification Grant Program provides research development funding to support interdisciplinary and community-centred climate research initiatives. The program helps researchers build partnerships, co-create climate solutions, and develop competitive proposals for major national and international funding opportunities.

Program Overview

The Amplification Grant Program supports the development of innovative climate research initiatives that connect technical, policy, and societal challenges through transdisciplinary collaboration. The program encourages researchers to work closely with communities and partners to design impactful climate solutions and strengthen future funding opportunities.

The initiative emphasizes:

• Community-centred climate research
• Interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary collaboration
• Partnership development
• Co-creation research approaches
• Knowledge mobilization
• Research program development
• Preparation of large-scale grant proposals
• Climate innovation and systems change

Funding Available

Two grants of up to $25,000 each are available for a one-year funding period.

Funding includes:

• One open competition grant for eligible applicants
• One dedicated grant for an Indigenous-led application

The grants are designed to support workshops and collaborative activities that help research teams develop ambitious climate research programs capable of securing larger future funding opportunities.

Focus Areas and Priorities

The program supports activities that:

• Address complex climate challenges through multiple disciplines
• Connect scientific, policy, technical, and societal perspectives
• Build long-term research partnerships
• Engage communities in research design and implementation
• Develop scalable climate solutions
• Strengthen knowledge exchange and mobilization
• Prepare competitive applications for major funding programs
• Support innovative climate adaptation and mitigation research

Eligible Activities

Funding may be used for:

• Research planning workshops
• Workshop series and collaborative meetings
• Partnership-building activities
• Community engagement sessions
• Co-creation and consultation processes
• Knowledge mobilization initiatives
• Strategic planning for future grant applications
• Facilitation and coordination activities
• Research development and proposal preparation

Eligible Expenses

The program supports a range of research development costs, including:

• Workshop and event expenses
• Venue and convening costs
• Catering and meeting support
• Travel expenses
• Community participation stipends
• Honoraria
• Data purchases
• Professional facilitation services
• Administrative support related to research development activities

Ineligible Expenses

Funding cannot be used for:

• Salaries or personnel costs linked to existing projects
• Administrative costs associated with ongoing initiatives
• Gifts
• Entertainment expenses
• Activities unrelated to research development and partnership building

Who is Eligible?

Eligible applicants include:

• SFU Adjunct Professors
• SFU Assistant Professors
• SFU Associate Professors
• SFU Full Professors

Applicants must:

• Represent at least two non-adjacent academic disciplines
• Demonstrate a collaborative research approach
• Pursue novel and high-impact climate research
• Develop projects involving interdisciplinary partnerships
• Focus on community-centred climate solutions

Why This Grant Matters

Climate challenges are complex and require collaboration across multiple sectors and disciplines. This program helps researchers move beyond traditional academic boundaries by supporting partnerships with communities, policymakers, industry, and other stakeholders.

Key benefits include:

• Stronger interdisciplinary collaboration
• Increased community participation in research
• Development of practical climate solutions
• Enhanced competitiveness for larger grants
• Greater societal impact of research outcomes
• Improved knowledge sharing and policy influence

Additional Support for Award Recipients

Successful recipients receive more than financial support.

Additional benefits include:

• Partnership development assistance
• Research facilitation support
• Grant writing guidance
• Proposal development assistance
• Communications and marketing support
• Media visibility through SFU networks
• Knowledge mobilization support

These resources help researchers build sustainable and impactful climate research programs.

How the Program Works

Step 1: Build an Interdisciplinary Team

Develop a team involving faculty members from at least two non-adjacent disciplines.

Step 2: Identify Community Partners

Engage organizations, communities, or stakeholders that can contribute to the research process.

Step 3: Design a Research Development Strategy

Plan workshops, consultations, and collaborative activities that will strengthen future research opportunities.

Step 4: Develop a Funding Roadmap

Identify major funding opportunities that the project will target after completion of the Amplification Grant.

Step 5: Submit the Application

Present a clear vision demonstrating how the project will generate impactful climate research and future funding potential.

Tips for a Strong Application

• Clearly demonstrate interdisciplinary collaboration.
• Show meaningful community involvement.
• Explain how the project addresses significant climate challenges.
• Present a realistic plan for future funding applications.
• Include clear knowledge mobilization strategies.
• Highlight anticipated societal and environmental impacts.
• Demonstrate strong partnership commitments.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Limiting participation to a single discipline.
• Failing to involve community partners meaningfully.
• Focusing solely on research without future funding plans.
• Providing vague workshop objectives.
• Overlooking knowledge mobilization activities.
• Including expenses that are not eligible under program guidelines.
• Failing to demonstrate long-term climate impact.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the maximum grant amount?

Each grant provides funding of up to $25,000 for one year.

How many grants are available?

Two grants are available, including one specifically designated for an Indigenous-led application.

Who can apply?

Eligible applicants are SFU Adjunct, Assistant, Associate, and Full Professors working across at least two non-adjacent disciplines.

What types of projects are supported?

Projects that develop interdisciplinary and community-centred climate research initiatives with potential for larger future funding opportunities.

Can the funding support workshops?

Yes. Workshops, workshop series, community consultations, and partnership-building activities are among the primary supported activities.

Are personnel costs eligible?

No. Funding cannot be used for personnel or administrative costs associated with existing projects.

What additional support do recipients receive?

Recipients may receive grant writing assistance, partnership development support, facilitation services, communications support, and visibility through SFU networks.

Conclusion

The Amplification Grant Program provides strategic funding for researchers seeking to develop ambitious, community-centred climate research initiatives. By supporting interdisciplinary collaboration, partnership development, and research co-creation, the program helps build strong foundations for future large-scale funding while advancing practical climate solutions with meaningful societal impact.

For more information, visit Simon Fraser University.