Overview
Canada’s natural resources, and the vast genetic diversity that underpins them, are central to the country’s economic prosperity, environmental resilience and long-term competitiveness. Natural resources systems, including forestry, wild fisheries, mining and critical minerals, energy, freshwater systems and biodiversity-based sectors, are facing unprecedented pressure from climate change, biodiversity loss, accelerating global competition and economic volatility. At the same time, decision-makers across these sectors are being asked to act faster, manage greater uncertainty and deliver better outcomes with less margin for error.
We are in the midst of a bio-revolution, fuelled by rapid advances in genomic sequencing speed and scale, alongside artificial intelligence (AI) technologies that make it possible to analyze and train on vast volumes of genomic data. High-quality, standardized genomic and natural resources data enable earlier detection of ecological change and more adaptive, evidence-based management. Countries and industries that can integrate these capabilities into natural resources management and biodiversity protection will set the global standard, growing their economies while building environmental resilience for the long-term. They will also be best positioned to protect their populations and ecosystems from emerging biological threats, turning natural resources investments into sovereign and reliable national security assets.
This initiative will enable earlier detection of ecological change, more adaptive resource management and more effective regulatory and stewardship decisions. It will grow a coordinated, interoperable and responsibly governed natural resources genomics data ecosystem that supports next generation resource management and environmental protection while respecting and investing in First Nations, Inuit and Métis (hereafter referred to as Indigenous) data governance and sovereignty. And it will intentionally align targeted investments in research and data generation with infrastructure-building and governance to transform disparate datasets into trusted, accessible, interoperable, AI-ready large-scale assets that can be used by communities, regulators, researchers, industry and technology developers from coast-to-coast-to-coast in ways that respect data sovereignty and community authority.
For more information, please see the initiative overview.
STREAM 1 – DRIVER PROJECTS
Driver projects are stand-alone, mission-driven, impact-focused research investments designed to address challenges faced in Canada’s natural resources systems, such as improving biodiversity monitoring, enhancing regulatory efficiency, developing sustainable resource management strategies, strengthening climate adaptation, and protecting critical ecosystems. These projects may also focus on addressing emerging biological threats, advancing environmental technologies, and supporting Indigenous-led stewardship initiatives. The aim of this portfolio of projects is to advance understanding of genomics within Canada’s natural resources and apply it across forestry, energy, wild fisheries, mining and critical minerals, freshwater and biodiversity-related sectors. They will produce high-quality, standardized, AI-ready genomic datasets and encourage collaboration between academia, industry, government and Indigenous partners where appropriate to project objectives. Genomics in society activities will be included to share knowledge and promote adoption of genomics in natural resources.
Indigenous-led driver projects will be led by and for First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities and governments, with Indigenous-defined data governance and decision rights over the full data lifecycle (including whether, when, how and with whom data is shared), consistent with applicable principles (e.g., OCAP®, OCAS), CARE and UNDRIP.
Funding Highlights
Total Funding Available: Up to $19,000,000
Genome Canada’s Contribution Range: $1,000,000 – $2,000,000
Co-funding: 1:1 (Genome Canada: all co-funding sources)
Project Envelope Range: $2,000,000 – $4,000,000
Target Timelines
Launch of Funding Opportunity: June 2, 2026
Letter of Interest (LOI) Due to Genome Alberta: Summer 2026 (exact date TBD)
Letter of Interest (LOI) Due to Genome Canada: Late Summer 2026 (exact date TBD)
Project Start Date: March 31, 2027
Objectives
At the conclusion of the natural resources initiative, driver projects are expected to demonstrate:
- Progress on natural resources research impacts for Indigenous communities, including community-prioritized evidence to support stewardship and decision-making and strengthened capacity to lead, conduct, interpret and apply genomics research on community-defined terms.
- Progress on scientific research questions relevant to Canada’s natural resources.
- Generation of high-quality, standardized datasets.
- Ongoing collaboration and integration with the national genomics data hub and Indigenous data governance projects.
- Evidence of data use, synthesis or cross-sector application.
- Tangible contributions to biodiversity conservation, sustainable resource management, regulatory efficiency or innovation.
- Strengthened capacity to steward natural resources in a changing environment.
Project Eligibility
Please see the initiative overview.
Application Process
Genome Canada requires applicants to submit both an LOI and, later in the process, a full proposal.
Each applicant will use a brief letter of intent (LOI) to indicate their interest in applying for Genome Canada funding. The LOI will enable an eligibility check by Genome Canada to ensure the LOI meets the requirements of the funding stream.
For the LOI, applicants will be asked to provide a brief summary of the following.
- The proposed research plan, including embedded GE3LS research and data management strategy.
- Impact and benefits to Indigenous Peoples and Canada.
- Project leaders and their areas of expertise.
- Budget and co-funding plan.
Applicants will also be asked to confirm that they meet the eligibility requirements of the funding stream.
Applicants who are deemed eligible will be invited to submit a full proposal.
Documents & Resources
Funding Contact
Julie Greer, Sector Innovation Manager, Natural Resources
jgreer@genomealberta.ca