CFAs: SFU Pollinator Grant for Climate Innovation (Canada)

Deadline: 31-Jul-2026

The Pollinator Grant supports graduate students at Simon Fraser University (SFU) who are participating in 2026 SFU Climate Innovation Catalyst Grant projects. The program provides $5,000 awards to help students advance community-engaged climate research, strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration, promote equity-focused research practices, and develop real-world climate solutions in partnership with communities.

Program Overview

The Pollinator Grant is designed to embed graduate students within SFU Climate Innovation Catalyst Grant projects and support climate research that creates measurable impact beyond academia.

The program encourages students to work directly with community partners, contribute to systemic climate solutions, and strengthen knowledge mobilization efforts that translate research into practical action. Through interdisciplinary collaboration, participants gain experience in research development, science communication, grant writing, and community engagement.

Funding Information

• Number of awards available: 4
• Award value: $5,000 per award
• Eligible participants: Up to two graduate students per Catalyst Seed Fund project
• Project implementation period: Within 12 months
• Funding is embedded within 2026 SFU Climate Innovation Seed Fund Catalyst Grant projects

Program Objectives

The Pollinator Grant aims to:

• Support community-engaged climate research-for-impact.
• Advance interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research approaches.
• Promote equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in climate research.
• Strengthen partnerships between researchers and community organizations.
• Enhance science communication and public engagement.
• Improve knowledge mobilization and research dissemination.
• Develop practical climate solutions that can be implemented in real-world settings.
• Build graduate student capacity in grant writing and collaborative research.

Priority Focus Areas

Projects should align with one or more of the following priorities:

• Community-engaged climate research.
• Climate innovation and climate action.
• Systemic climate solutions.
• Equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI).
• Interdisciplinary collaboration.
• Knowledge mobilization.
• Science communication.
• Community partnership development.
• Climate adaptation and resilience.
• Climate policy and implementation.
• Research translation and public impact.

What Is Community-Engaged Climate Research?

Community-engaged climate research involves collaboration between researchers and community partners to address climate-related challenges.

Rather than conducting research in isolation, participants work directly with organizations, communities, Indigenous groups, policymakers, or other stakeholders to co-design solutions that respond to real needs and priorities.

Key characteristics include:

• Shared decision-making.
• Co-created research outputs.
• Practical implementation pathways.
• Mutual learning and knowledge exchange.
• Measurable community impact.

Why This Grant Matters

Many climate challenges require solutions that cross disciplinary, institutional, and community boundaries.

The Pollinator Grant helps bridge the gap between research and action by:

• Supporting climate solutions that can be implemented within communities.
• Encouraging collaboration across academic disciplines.
• Strengthening relationships between universities and community organizations.
• Building future climate leaders and researchers.
• Increasing the real-world impact of climate research investments.
• Advancing inclusive and equitable approaches to climate action.

Who Is Eligible?

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Be enrolled as a graduate student at Simon Fraser University.
• Be connected to a 2026 SFU Climate Innovation Seed Fund Catalyst Grant application.
• Present an independent research narrative linked to an existing community partnership.
• Demonstrate how the proposed work contributes to a systemic climate solution.
• Show that the proposed activities can be implemented within a 12-month period.
• Contribute to equitable, inclusive, and interdisciplinary research practices.

Eligible Research Activities

Projects may include:

• Community-based climate research.
• Climate adaptation initiatives.
• Climate mitigation projects.
• Stakeholder engagement activities.
• Knowledge mobilization and outreach.
• Science communication initiatives.
• Research translation and implementation planning.
• Collaborative workshops and co-design activities.
• Climate policy engagement.
• Community partnership development.

Follow-On Funding Opportunities

Successful participants may be well positioned to pursue additional funding opportunities, including:

SSHRC Insight Development Grants

• Funding range: $7,000–$75,000
• Duration: 1–2 years

SSHRC Connection Grants

• Events: $7,000–$25,000
• Outreach activities: $7,000–$50,000
• Duration: 1 year

SSHRC Partnership Engage Grants

• Funding range: $7,000–$25,000
• Duration: 1 year

NSERC Discovery Horizons

• Funding range: $50,000–$100,000 annually

NRC New Beginnings Initiative

• Operations support: $25,000
• External collaborator support: $25,000

How to Apply

Step 1: Confirm Eligibility

Verify that you:

• Are an SFU graduate student.
• Are connected to a 2026 Catalyst Grant project.
• Have an existing community partnership relevant to your research.

Step 2: Develop a Research Narrative

Prepare a clear explanation of:

• The climate challenge being addressed.
• The community partner involved.
• The proposed systemic climate solution.
• Expected outcomes and impacts.
• Equity and inclusion considerations.

Step 3: Demonstrate Community Impact

Show how the research will:

• Support community priorities.
• Generate actionable outcomes.
• Create measurable climate benefits.
• Contribute to knowledge sharing and implementation.

Step 4: Outline Implementation Activities

Describe:

• Key milestones.
• Deliverables.
• Knowledge mobilization plans.
• Timeline for completion within 12 months.

Step 5: Submit Through the Associated Catalyst Project

Ensure your Pollinator Grant application is aligned with the corresponding SFU Climate Innovation Catalyst Grant proposal.

Tips for a Strong Application

• Clearly demonstrate community involvement.
• Show how research leads to practical climate action.
• Integrate equity, diversity, and inclusion throughout the project.
• Explain the interdisciplinary nature of the work.
• Provide realistic implementation plans.
• Highlight long-term benefits beyond the funding period.
• Emphasize measurable outcomes and knowledge-sharing activities.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Presenting a purely academic project without community engagement.
• Failing to explain the climate impact pathway.
• Weak connections to community partners.
• Unclear implementation plans.
• Limited evidence of interdisciplinary collaboration.
• Insufficient attention to EDI principles.
• Overly ambitious activities that cannot be completed within 12 months.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the Pollinator Grant?

The Pollinator Grant is a graduate student funding opportunity embedded within SFU Climate Innovation Catalyst Grant projects to support community-engaged climate research and knowledge mobilization.

How much funding is available?

Each award provides $5,000, with four awards available.

Who can apply?

Graduate students enrolled at Simon Fraser University who are connected to a 2026 SFU Climate Innovation Seed Fund Catalyst Grant application.

How many awards will be offered?

A total of four awards are available.

What types of projects are encouraged?

Projects focused on community-engaged climate solutions, interdisciplinary research, knowledge mobilization, climate innovation, and equitable climate action.

Is community partnership required?

Yes. Applicants must demonstrate a connection to an existing community partnership and show how their work supports collaborative climate solutions.

What is the expected project timeline?

Projects should demonstrate implementation and impact within a 12-month period.

Conclusion

The Pollinator Grant provides graduate students at Simon Fraser University with an opportunity to advance impactful climate research through community partnerships, interdisciplinary collaboration, and knowledge mobilization. By supporting projects that integrate equity, innovation, and real-world implementation, the program helps transform climate research into practical solutions that benefit communities while building the next generation of climate leaders.

For more information, visit Simon Fraser University.