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 3 – INDIGENOUS DATA GOVERNANCE FRAMEWORKS
The natural resources initiative will facilitate the development of Indigenous-led, distinctions-based governance frameworks, co-developed with relevant rights holders. These frameworks will develop concrete tools and resources by which Indigenous genomic and environmental data, knowledge and assets are owned, accessed, utilized, shared and ultimately stewarded within, and where appropriate, beyond the initiative. Through collaborative partnerships with Indigenous rightsholders, these projects will integrate data sovereignty principles for First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities. This approach is consistent with established frameworks such as OCAP®, OCAS, CARE, and UNDRIP, promoting ethical governance that is culturally rooted and community defined. Indigenous rightsholders retain full authority to make decisions regarding the use of their data, ensuring the preservation of their rights and responsibilities.
The frameworks should incorporate guiding principles rooted in Indigenous data sovereignty and operating principles that recognize how Indigenous communities interact with the species, water and lands involved in the research. These projects will include engagement frameworks and practical tools to help researchers, data stewards and other stakeholders apply the guidelines effectively.
Across the three streams, the initiative will align investments in data governance, data generation and data usability and access to build a coherent, trusted natural resources genomics data ecosystem that supports real-world decision-making while respecting Indigenous authority. Together, the streams ensure that Indigenous governance tools inform how data is generated and stewarded, and that infrastructure and processes.
Information Session
June 24, 2026
10:00 AM MDT
Click here to register
June 29, 2026
11:00 AM MDT
Click here to register
Funding Highlights
Total Funding Available: Up to $3,000,000
Genome Canada’s Contribution Range: $500,000 – $1,000,000
Co-funding: Co-funding is not a requirement of this funding stream but is encouraged where it supports community priorities and does not compromise Indigenous-led oversight.
Project Envelope: $500,000+
Target Timelines
Launch of Funding Opportunity: June 2, 2026
Letter of Interest (LOI) Due to Genome Alberta: November 2026
Draft Proposals due to Genome Alberta: January 2027
Signed Full Proposals due to Genome Alberta: February 2027
Notice of Awards: March, 2027
Project Start Date: July 1, 2027
Project Eligibility
- Projects must demonstrate that Indigenous communities (First Nations, Métis and/or Inuit) have been meaningfully engaged in scoping the work prior to application. Evidence of this engagement, such as records of community meetings and/or other nation-appropriate consultation processes, must be included in the LOI, in addition to a letter of support from an Indigenous partner organization.
- Project leaders and team members must be affiliated with an eligible institution.
- Projects are expected to support capacity building for Indigenous communities and organizations, as well as learning for researchers and institutions, to enable sustained implementation of Indigenous-led governance beyond the funding period.
- Activities must be directly aligned with the objective of developing Indigenous data governance guidelines for genomic research in natural resources.
- Genome Canada funding can be awarded to individuals affiliated with an Indigenous organization and/or government, or with an organization listed in Genome Canada’s Guidelines for Funding.
For more information, please see the initiative overview.
Application Process
The application process will consist of two stages: a Letter of Intent (LOI) followed by a full proposal. Following the LOI review process, selected applicants will be invited to submit a full proposal.
Applicants will submit an LOI to their representative Genome Centre to indicate their interest in applying for Genome Canada funding under the natural resources initiative. The LOI will enable an eligibility check by Genome Canada to ensure the LOI meets the eligibility criteria of the funding stream.
Applicants will be asked to briefly describe:
- Proposed guidelines
- Summary of community engagement conducted to date, including which Indigenous nations or communities were engaged, in what form, and how that engagement shaped the proposed scope.
- Budget summary
Applicants who are deemed eligible will be invited to submit a full proposal.
Please email Julie Greer to discuss your project idea and learn more about next steps.
Documents & Resources
Funding Contact
Julie Greer, Sector Innovation Manager, Natural Resources
jgreer@genomealberta.ca