Request for Proposals: Canada-Asia Joint Research Grant Program

Deadline: 15-Mar-2026

The Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada (APF Canada) is offering grants of up to C$40,000 for collaborative research projects between Canadian and Indo-Pacific institutions. The funding supports policy-focused research on topics such as economic resilience, regional security, energy security, supply chains, and emerging technologies. Applications must be submitted by March 15, 2026, and selected projects must be completed by March 31, 2027.

Overview of the Indo-Pacific Initiative Research Grant

The Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada (APF Canada) has launched a Call for Proposals under its Indo-Pacific Initiative, supported by the Government of Canada.

The initiative aims to strengthen policy research collaboration between Canada and Indo-Pacific countries by funding joint projects that generate policy-relevant insights and actionable recommendations.

The programme focuses on research that helps policymakers, institutions, and stakeholders better understand strategic, economic, and technological developments in the Indo-Pacific region.

Selected projects will receive funding of up to C$40,000 to support collaborative research activities.

Key Objectives of the Programme

The programme seeks to:

• Strengthen policy research partnerships between Canada and the Indo-Pacific region

• Generate evidence-based policy insights for Canadian decision-makers

• Support cross-regional academic and institutional collaboration

• Improve understanding of geopolitical, economic, and technological trends in the Indo-Pacific

The initiative promotes practical research outputs, including policy reports, briefs, and recommendations that can influence government policy and international cooperation strategies.

Priority Research Themes

Proposals must focus on one or more of the following priority areas.

Economic and Strategic Policy Areas

• Economic resilience and security

• Regional security and geopolitical stability

• Defence industrial cooperation

• Supply chain resilience

Energy and Natural Resources

• Energy security

• Critical minerals supply and governance

Innovation and Technology

• Emerging technologies

• Digital governance

• Artificial intelligence policy

• Innovation ecosystems

Projects that combine multiple themes or provide cross-sectoral policy analysis are encouraged.

Funding Details

Grant Amount

• Up to C$40,000 per project

Funding Structure

• The grant is awarded to the Canadian lead institution

• The Canadian partner may distribute sub-grants to Indo-Pacific collaborators if needed

Project Duration

• Projects must be completed by March 31, 2027

• A two-page project summary report must be submitted by April 30, 2027

Eligible Project Expenses

The grant supports costs directly related to the research project.

Allowed Costs

• Travel for fieldwork and research collaboration

• Meetings with research partners

• Conference participation related to the project

• Research or project assistants

• Translation or interpretation services

Travel Cost Rules

• Airfare must be economy class using the most direct route

• Accommodation and meals must follow Canadian federal government travel guidelines

Ineligible Costs

The following expenses are not allowed:

• Alcohol or entertainment expenses

• Gifts or gratuities

• Bonuses

• Institutional overhead costs

• Partisan or politically focused activities

Who Is Eligible?

To apply, applicants must meet the following requirements.

Institutional Eligibility

• The proposal must include:

  • At least one Canada-based institution

  • At least one Indo-Pacific institution

Lead Applicant

• The Canadian institution must serve as the lead applicant

• The Canadian partner will manage the grant and financial reporting

Collaboration Requirements

The partnership should demonstrate:

• Complementary expertise between institutions

• Joint research planning

• Shared responsibilities for research outputs

The collaboration must clearly show how the partnership strengthens policy research related to Canada’s Indo-Pacific engagement.

What the Research Should Deliver

Funded projects should generate practical policy outputs, such as:

• Policy reports

• Policy briefs

• Strategic recommendations

• Research papers

• Stakeholder workshops or presentations

Outputs should be designed to reach policymakers, government agencies, and policy experts.

How the Selection Process Works

Proposals are evaluated based on several criteria.

Evaluation Criteria

1. Policy relevance – Contribution to Canada’s Indo-Pacific strategy

2. Research quality – Strong methodology and analytical framework

3. Partnership strength – Complementary expertise and collaboration plan

4. Feasibility – Realistic timeline and achievable outputs

5. Knowledge mobilization – Clear plan for sharing results with policymakers

Projects that demonstrate clear policy impact and strong institutional collaboration are more likely to be selected.

How to Apply

Follow these steps to submit a successful application.

Step 1: Build a Partnership

Identify a research partner from the Indo-Pacific region and establish a joint project concept.

Step 2: Prepare the Proposal

Applicants must submit a proposal of up to five pages that includes:

• Policy focus and research question

• Relevance to Canadian policy interests

• Roles of Canadian and Indo-Pacific partners

• Research methodology and activities

• Expected outputs and policy impact

• Knowledge mobilization strategy

Step 3: Prepare Supporting Annexes

The following annexes must be included:

• Detailed workplan with milestones

• Budget breakdown with justifications

These annexes do not count toward the page limit.

Step 4: Submit Before the Deadline

• Application Deadline: March 15, 2026

• Notification of Results: April 30, 2026

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants often make errors that reduce their chances of success.

Weak Policy Relevance

Projects that are purely academic without clear policy implications for Canada may be rejected.

Poor Partnership Structure

Proposals must clearly demonstrate active collaboration between Canadian and Indo-Pacific institutions.

Unclear Outputs

Projects should include specific deliverables such as policy reports or briefings.

Budget Issues

Including ineligible expenses such as overhead or entertainment costs may disqualify the proposal.

Why This Grant Matters

The Indo-Pacific region is one of the world’s most strategically important economic and geopolitical areas.

This programme supports research that helps Canada:

• Strengthen international partnerships

• Improve policy understanding of Indo-Pacific dynamics

• Address global security and economic challenges

• Develop evidence-based policy responses

The initiative also builds long-term academic and policy collaboration networks between Canada and the Indo-Pacific.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is the maximum funding available?

Projects can receive up to C$40,000 in funding.

2. Who must lead the application?

A Canada-based institution must be the lead applicant and grant holder.

3. Is collaboration mandatory?

Yes. Proposals must include at least one Canadian institution and one Indo-Pacific institution.

4. What types of expenses are covered?

Eligible expenses include travel, research assistants, collaboration meetings, and translation services.

5. Are institutional overhead costs allowed?

No. Overhead and administrative charges are not eligible under the grant.

6. What is the application deadline?

The application deadline is March 15, 2026.

7. When must projects be completed?

All projects must finish by March 31, 2027, with a summary report due by April 30, 2027.

Conclusion

The Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada Indo-Pacific Initiative Research Grant offers a valuable opportunity for Canadian and Indo-Pacific institutions to collaborate on policy-relevant research.

By supporting projects focused on economic resilience, security, energy systems, and emerging technologies, the programme strengthens Canada’s strategic engagement with the Indo-Pacific region.

Researchers and institutions seeking to influence international policy discussions and regional cooperation should consider applying before the March 15, 2026 deadline.

For more information, visit Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada.