SFU Climate Innovation Seed Funds 2026: Up to $100,000 Available to Advance Community-Centred Climate Research and Innovation

Simon Fraser University (SFU) has officially launched the 2026 SFU Climate Innovation Seed Funds, providing $100,000 in total funding to accelerate innovative climate research that delivers meaningful impact for communities. Designed to support interdisciplinary collaboration, the funding helps transform promising early-stage ideas into practical climate solutions through partnerships between researchers, students, Indigenous Nations, governments, community organizations, NGOs, and industry.

Building on the success of its inaugural funding round, the SFU Climate Innovation (CI) initiative continues to strengthen research-for-impact by investing in projects that address pressing climate challenges while promoting sustainability, resilience, equity, and community engagement.

Researchers and graduate students interested in developing innovative climate solutions are encouraged to apply before the extended application deadline of 6 August 2026.

About the SFU Climate Innovation Seed Funds

The SFU Climate Innovation Seed Funds are part of Simon Fraser University’s commitment to advancing its strategic climate innovation research priorities. Rather than simply funding research projects, the initiative provides a complete ecosystem of support designed to help interdisciplinary teams move ideas toward implementation, attract future funding, and create lasting societal impact.

The program encourages collaboration across faculties and disciplines while placing communities and Indigenous partners at the centre of research design and implementation.

For 2026, a total of $100,000 has been allocated across three funding streams:

• Amplification Grants
• Catalyst Grants
• Pollinator Awards

Together, these funding streams create a research pathway that nurtures emerging ideas, strengthens partnerships, supports graduate researchers, and positions projects for larger national and international funding opportunities.

Why the SFU Climate Innovation Seed Funds Matter

Addressing climate change requires collaboration across disciplines, sectors, and communities. The Seed Funds recognize that impactful climate solutions emerge when researchers work alongside those most affected by environmental challenges.

The initiative focuses on supporting projects that:

• Promote interdisciplinary collaboration.
• Strengthen Indigenous-led climate action.
• Advance community-centred research.
• Encourage knowledge sharing.
• Support equitable climate innovation.
• Generate practical solutions for resilient and sustainable communities.

Rather than funding research in isolation, SFU Climate Innovation provides long-term support that helps projects mature into large-scale initiatives capable of attracting significant external funding.

Funding Streams Available

1. Amplification Grant

The Amplification Grant is designed for interdisciplinary teams seeking to develop major collaborative climate research initiatives.

Funding Available

• Two grants of up to $25,000 each.

At least one award will support an Indigenous-led application.

Purpose

The grants support:

• Workshops
• Workshop series
• Partnership development
• Research agenda development
• Cross-sector collaboration
• Preparation of major grant applications

Successful teams are expected to develop ambitious research programs capable of securing future funding from major organizations such as:

• New Frontiers in Research Fund (NFRF)
• SSHRC Partnership Grants
• Horizon Europe
• Philanthropic organizations

Expected Outputs

Awardees should produce:

• Comprehensive interdisciplinary research programs
• Funder-ready proposals
• Expanded research partnerships
• Community-centred climate research initiatives

2. Catalyst Grant

Catalyst Grants are intended for interdisciplinary faculty teams already working with established community partners.

Funding Available

• Two grants of $15,000 each.

Purpose

Catalyst Grants help researchers:

• Deepen community partnerships.
• Co-design innovative climate solutions.
• Strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration.
• Build pathways toward larger research grants.

Projects may also include up to two embedded Pollinator Awards, allowing graduate students to contribute directly to research activities while gaining valuable interdisciplinary experience.

3. Pollinator Award

The Pollinator Award supports graduate students participating in Catalyst Grant projects.

Funding Available

• Four awards of $5,000 each.

Purpose

The award enables graduate students to:

• Conduct community-engaged climate research.
• Build interdisciplinary research skills.
• Gain mentorship from faculty.
• Participate in knowledge mobilization.
• Develop science communication skills.
• Receive grant-writing training.

Students are expected to contribute their own research objectives while supporting the broader Catalyst project.

Research-for-Impact Supports

The Seed Funds provide much more than financial assistance.

Award recipients gain access to a wide range of professional supports, including:

Convening and Facilitation

Delivered through the SFU Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue, helping teams facilitate meaningful collaboration and co-design processes.

Partnership Development

Supported by the SFU Partnerships Hub, connecting researchers with:

• Communities
• Indigenous Nations
• Government agencies
• NGOs
• Industry partners

Knowledge Mobilization

The SFU Knowledge Mobilization Hub assists teams in ensuring research findings are translated into practical action through:

• Knowledge exchange
• Community engagement
• Research dissemination
• Impact-focused communication

Grant Writing Support

Researchers receive proposal development assistance through:

• Office of Research Services
• Institutional and Strategic Awards

These services strengthen applications for future large-scale funding opportunities.

Capacity Building

The Community-engaged Research Initiative (CERi) provides training on:

• Ethical community engagement
• Indigenous collaboration
• Community-centred research
• Cultural competency
• Partnership development

Additional supports include science communication training, networking opportunities, interdisciplinary forums, and communications assistance.

Who Can Apply?

The program welcomes applications from several categories of participants.

Researchers

• Multi-faculty interdisciplinary teams.
• Led by SFU faculty members.
• Working across multiple disciplines.

Graduate Students

Students seeking:

• Interdisciplinary research experience.
• Community-engaged learning.
• Climate research mentorship.

Partners

Collaborating organizations may include:

• Indigenous Nations
• Community organizations
• Government bodies
• NGOs
• Industry
• Academic institutions

Eligibility Requirements

Amplification Grant

Applicants should:

• Lead interdisciplinary research.
• Develop collaborative climate research agendas.
• Convene diverse stakeholders.
• Prepare proposals for major future grants.

Catalyst Grant

Applicants must:

• Include faculty from at least two non-adjacent disciplines.
• Demonstrate established community partnerships.
• Focus on collaborative climate innovation.

Pollinator Award

Graduate student applicants must:

• Be enrolled at SFU.
• Be linked to a Catalyst Grant.
• Demonstrate interdisciplinary research.
• Include equity, diversity and inclusion considerations.

Eligible Expenses

Funding may support:

• Student stipends
• Research activities
• Community engagement
• Travel
• Workshops
• Knowledge mobilization
• Convening activities
• Climate research implementation

Ineligible Expenses

Funding cannot be used for:

• Existing administrative costs
• Personnel costs unrelated to the project
• Gifts
• Entertainment expenses

Assessment Criteria

Applications will be evaluated based on:

Interdisciplinary Collaboration

Projects should demonstrate meaningful collaboration across multiple disciplines.

Community Co-Creation

Successful proposals should show authentic partnerships with communities and Indigenous Nations.

Innovation

Projects should introduce creative approaches to addressing climate challenges.

Feasibility

Applicants must present realistic implementation plans.

Systems-Level Impact

Reviewers will assess the project’s potential social, environmental, economic, and health benefits.

Equity and Inclusion

Projects should reflect multiple perspectives and demonstrate reflexive, equitable research practices.

Application Process

Applications are reviewed by the SFU Climate Innovation Advisory Group, which includes representatives from:

• SFU faculty
• Students
• Government
• Community organizations
• Funding agencies

Applicants must complete the relevant application form and submit all required documents by email.

Important Dates

For More Information

Applicants are encouraged to visit the official SFU Climate Innovation Seed Funds webpage to learn more about the available funding streams, eligibility requirements, downloadable application forms, scoring rubrics, and research support resources.

For questions regarding eligibility or the application process, contact:

Skye Vallance
Program Manager
Email: climate_innovation@sfu.ca

Prospective applicants should carefully review the appropriate application form and guidance before submitting their proposal to ensure all eligibility and submission requirements are met.

Why You Should Apply

The SFU Climate Innovation Seed Funds provide an outstanding opportunity for researchers, graduate students, and community partners to collaborate on innovative climate solutions that generate meaningful impact. Beyond financial support, recipients gain access to mentorship, grant development assistance, partnership-building opportunities, and knowledge mobilization resources that help transform early-stage ideas into scalable climate initiatives.

Whether your focus is Indigenous climate leadership, sustainable communities, AI for climate action, renewable energy, resilience, or interdisciplinary environmental research, this initiative offers the support needed to move your project from concept to implementation.

Conclusion

The 2026 SFU Climate Innovation Seed Funds represent a significant investment in interdisciplinary climate research that prioritizes collaboration, community engagement, and real-world impact. By supporting researchers, graduate students, and partners working together across disciplines, the initiative helps develop practical solutions that contribute to resilient, low-carbon, and sustainable communities. Interested applicants should begin preparing their proposals early and submit their completed applications before the 6 August 2026 deadline to take advantage of this unique funding opportunity.