Catalyst Grant for Transdisciplinary Community-Engaged Climate Innovation (Canada)

Deadline: 31-Jul-2026

The Catalyst Grant supports transdisciplinary, community-engaged climate research that brings together faculty from different academic disciplines and community partners to co-create practical climate solutions. The program provides two grants of $15,000 each for projects that advance existing community partnerships, integrate equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) principles, and generate measurable climate impacts within a 12-month period.

Catalyst Grant for Community-Engaged Climate Research

The Catalyst Grant provides funding to support collaborative climate research projects that combine academic expertise, community knowledge, and cross-sector partnerships. The program is designed to advance systemic climate solutions through interdisciplinary collaboration, community engagement, and knowledge co-creation.

Funding supports projects that move beyond traditional academic research by encouraging researchers and community partners to jointly design and implement climate action initiatives with real-world impact.

Grant Objectives

The Catalyst Grant aims to:

• Support transdisciplinary climate research and innovation.
• Strengthen community-engaged research partnerships.
• Promote collaboration between faculty from different disciplines.
• Advance systemic climate solutions through co-designed approaches.
• Integrate Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) principles into research activities.
• Respect and incorporate Indigenous Knowledges and Indigenous rights where appropriate.
• Generate actionable outcomes that benefit communities and contribute to climate resilience.

Key Focus Areas

Projects supported through the Catalyst Grant should address one or more of the following priorities:

• Community-engaged climate research.
• Cross-disciplinary collaboration.
• Climate innovation and systems change.
• Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI).
• Indigenous-led or Indigenous-informed approaches.
• Knowledge mobilization and public engagement.
• Community partnership development.
• Co-creation of climate solutions.
• Climate adaptation and mitigation initiatives.
• Collaborative decision-making and implementation.

Funding Available

Key funding details include:

• Total awards available: 2 grants.
• Grant value: $15,000 per project.
• Project duration: Up to 12 months.
• Funding model:
  • Initial disbursement: $10,000.
  • Final disbursement: $5,000 upon completion of required deliverables.

Funding may support:

• Community engagement activities.
• Workshops and collaborative meetings.
• Travel related to project implementation.
• Facilitation and stakeholder consultations.
• Knowledge mobilization activities.
• Co-design and partnership development processes.
• Project coordination and collaboration activities.

Why This Grant Matters

Climate challenges are complex and often require expertise from multiple disciplines and sectors. Traditional single-discipline approaches may not adequately address interconnected environmental, social, economic, and governance issues.

This grant helps bridge those gaps by:

• Connecting researchers with community partners.
• Supporting practical and scalable climate solutions.
• Encouraging inclusive decision-making processes.
• Strengthening long-term community partnerships.
• Accelerating climate innovation through collaborative action.
• Promoting equitable and community-centred research practices.

The emphasis on systemic solutions ensures that funded projects aim for long-term impact rather than isolated interventions.

Who Is Eligible?

Applicants must meet all of the following requirements:

• Include faculty members from at least two non-adjacent disciplines within SFU.
• Involve at least one community partner as a co-applicant.
• Demonstrate an existing community partnership.
• Focus on climate-related challenges and solutions.
• Integrate EDI principles throughout project design and implementation.
• Incorporate Indigenous Knowledges and Indigenous rights where relevant and appropriate.
• Commit to completing planned activities within a 12-month period.

Eligible Project Characteristics

Strong applications typically demonstrate:

• Meaningful collaboration between academic and community partners.
• A clear climate-related challenge or opportunity.
• Co-designed research and implementation activities.
• Practical outcomes that can be applied in real-world settings.
• Evidence of existing partnership relationships.
• Cross-disciplinary approaches that combine different forms of expertise.
• Plans for knowledge sharing and community impact.

How the Catalyst Grant Works

Step 1: Build an Eligible Team

Form a project team that includes:

• Faculty members from at least two distinct, non-adjacent disciplines.
• At least one community partner acting as a co-applicant.

Step 2: Define the Climate Challenge

Clearly identify:

• The climate issue being addressed.
• Why the issue requires interdisciplinary collaboration.
• The role of community partners in developing solutions.

Step 3: Design Collaborative Activities

Develop a plan that includes:

• Community engagement activities.
• Co-creation workshops.
• Research and innovation processes.
• Knowledge mobilization activities.
• Expected outcomes and deliverables.

Step 4: Demonstrate EDI and Indigenous Integration

Explain:

• How EDI principles are embedded in the project.
• How Indigenous perspectives, rights, and knowledge systems will be respected and incorporated where relevant.

Step 5: Submit the Application

Prepare and submit all required materials demonstrating:

• Team eligibility.
• Existing partnership relationships.
• Climate impact potential.
• Project feasibility.
• Planned outcomes within 12 months.

Step 6: Implement and Report

Successful applicants receive:

• An initial payment of $10,000.
• A final payment of $5,000 after completion of required deliverables and reporting obligations.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Proposing projects without a community co-applicant.
• Including faculty from closely related rather than non-adjacent disciplines.
• Failing to demonstrate an existing community partnership.
• Treating community partners as advisors rather than co-creators.
• Providing limited information on EDI integration.
• Overlooking Indigenous engagement considerations where relevant.
• Presenting activities that cannot realistically be completed within 12 months.
• Failing to describe measurable outcomes and impacts.

Tips for a Strong Application

• Demonstrate genuine collaboration from project design through implementation.
• Clearly show how different disciplines contribute unique expertise.
• Highlight community benefits and long-term impact.
• Include realistic timelines and achievable milestones.
• Explain how project outcomes will be shared and applied.
• Provide evidence of strong partner commitment.
• Focus on scalable and systemic climate solutions.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the main purpose of the Catalyst Grant?

The grant supports transdisciplinary, community-engaged climate research that develops practical and systemic climate solutions through collaboration between researchers and community partners.

How much funding is available?

Two grants of $15,000 each are available.

How long can projects run?

Projects must be completed within a 12-month period.

Who can apply?

Eligible teams must include faculty from at least two non-adjacent disciplines and at least one community partner serving as a co-applicant.

Is community participation required?

Yes. A community partner must be actively involved as a co-applicant and contribute to the project’s design and implementation.

Are Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) principles required?

Yes. Applications must demonstrate meaningful integration of EDI principles throughout the project.

Must projects include Indigenous Knowledges?

Projects should incorporate Indigenous Knowledges and Indigenous rights where relevant and appropriate to the proposed work.

Conclusion

The Catalyst Grant is designed to support innovative, community-centred climate research that combines academic expertise with real-world knowledge and experience. By funding cross-disciplinary collaboration, community engagement, and co-created climate solutions, the program helps advance impactful research that contributes to long-term environmental sustainability, social equity, and climate resilience.

For more information, visit Simon Fraser University.