Applications open for new $1M climate solutions research partnerships

The Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions (PICS) welcomes proposals for its new $1M Theme Partnership Program, which will connect top researchers with policy and industry leaders to develop climate change solutions for British Columbia and beyond.

Projects will be funded to a maximum of $250,000 per year for up to four years, with one award available in this initial call.  PICS plans to award three or four Theme Partnership projects over the next few years. PICS executive director Sybil Seitzinger says the institute is opening the door to innovation, as pioneering and timely research is needed across society and industry to face the challenges that climate change brings.

“Projects could potentially focus on crucial adaptation issues facing British Columbians, including the increased risk of extreme weather, sea level rise, wildfire and related health impacts, alongside cross-border issues such as food security, climate refugees, and preparing businesses for the new low-carbon economy,” says Seitzinger. 

“We also welcome research proposals on reducing or mitigating greenhouse gas emissions in areas such as negative emissions technologies, energy storage and bioenergy, for example. We want the best ideas and the best teams providing workable solutions scalable within Canada and potentially overseas.”

Partnerships between the academic community and climate solution decision-makers in the private and public sector are key elements of this program. That ensures that the co-designed research results have practical use within BC and beyond and are developed in a timely manner.

“PICS helps solution seekers become solution makers–from question to collaboration, and idea to implementation,” says Seitzinger. “Another goal of these partnerships is legacy. Working together, these teams will build world-class leadership in the province for tackling climate change problems in the future, both here and internationally.”

The deadline for letters of intent for this inaugural call under the Theme Partnership Program is Feb. 15, 2019.  Visit the website for more details on project criteria and evaluation methods. 

The PICS Theme Partnership Program is the institute’s second research call this year under its new research engagement model. In August, PICS announced its Opportunity Projects Program  for shorter-term projects. With a commitment to build expert capacity in BC, all project teams must include faculty and graduate students or post-doctoral fellows from at least one of PICS’ four collaborating universities. 

PICS is hosted and led by the University of Victoria in collaboration with the University of British Columbia, Simon Fraser University and the University of Northern British Columbia.

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