Details on transfer payment programs
Transfer payments to support the advancement of Northern science and technology
Start date: June 2015
End date: Ongoing
Type of transfer payment: Grant and contribution
Type of appropriation: Estimates
Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2015-16
Link to departmental result(s):
- Canada’s polar science and technology research is publicly available and being applied
- Canada’s Arctic science includes Indigenous and local knowledge
- Canada fosters domestic and international knowledge exchange and partnerships in polar science and technology
- The next generation of Canadian polar researchers is developed
Link to the department’s program inventory: Science and Technology
Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program: The purpose of this Transfer Payment Program is to provide an integrated suite of grants and contributions that support Canadian Arctic science and technology for Polar Knowledge Canada. The contribution programs support project proposals that will help address specific aspects of Polar Knowledge Canada’s mandate, while the grant programs support student researchers, recognize significant achievement, and coordinate northern scientific university-related activities.
The provision of support to the advancement of northern science and technology is essential to deliver on Polar Knowledge Canada’s mandated themes and the objective of Article 23 of the Nunavut Agreement “to increase Inuit participation in government employment in the Nunavut Settlement Area to a representative level. It is recognized that the achievement of this objective will require initiatives by Inuit and by Government.” To this end, Polar Knowledge Canada regularly uses multi-stakeholder review committees to engage Indigenous Peoples/groups and Northerners on the review of funding proposals.
Results achieved: In 2023-24, Polar Knowledge Canada provided 107 transfer payments totalling $7,346,216 in support of the expected results under this transfer payment program. 56% of Arctic or Northern research projects were led by an institute, government, or community organization located in the Arctic or Northern Canada. 308 awards were awarded to students.
Through this funding, Polar Knowledge Canada supported Indigenous organizations, students and academia, and northern communities and governments. Projects focused on ecosystem and wildlife research, science capacity building through contributions, and education and training opportunities with grants and scholarships.
Polar Knowledge Canada’s transfer payment programs complement the organization’s own research and science-based activities to further key objectives and mandate commitments.
Findings of audits completed in 2023-24: No audits were completed in 2023-24.
Findings of evaluations completed in 2023-24: No evaluations were completed in 2023-24.
Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2023-24: Applicants were engaged through targeted and open solicitations. Polar Knowledge Canada has a variety of engagement initiatives, including but not limited to in-person meetings, webinars, phone calls, and emails, that are used as part of the regular competition cycle. This provides ongoing opportunities for applicants and recipients to seek and receive information, and to offer feedback on service delivery.
Polar Knowledge Canada monitors recipient compliance with the terms of active funding agreements through review of financial and project progress reports that are submitted in accordance with the approved project reporting plan. Polar Knowledge Canada seeks to promote collaboration between the department and recipients.
Financial information (dollars)
| Type of transfer payment |
2021-22 actual spending |
2022-23 actual spending |
2023-24 planned spending |
2023-24 total authorities available for use |
2023-24 actual spending (authorities used) |
Variance (2023-24 actual minus 2023-24 planned) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total grants | 1,355,814 | 1,348,453 | 1,356,734 | 1,356,000 | 1,356,000 | 0 |
| Total contributions | 4,969,645 | 6,039,690 | 6,040,000 | 6,040,000 | 5,990,216 | (49,784) |
| Total other types of transfer payments | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total program | 6,325,459 | 7,388,143 | 7,396,734 | 7,396,000 | 7,346,216 | (49,784) |
Explanation of variances
There is no significant variance between the planned and actual spending for 2023-24.
Transfer payments to support research and activities relating to the polar regions
Start date: June 2015
End date: Ongoing
Type of transfer payment: Grant
Type of appropriation: Estimates
Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2015-16
Link to departmental result(s):
- Canada’s polar science and technology research is publicly available and being applied
- Canada’s Arctic science includes Indigenous and local knowledge
- Canada fosters domestic and international knowledge exchange and partnerships in polar science and technology
- The next generation of Canadian polar researchers is developed
Link to the department’s program inventory: Knowledge Management and Engagement
Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program: The program aims to strengthen awareness and understanding of Arctic and Antarctic research, increase coordination and collaboration among the polar research community, and strengthen the next generation of polar researchers and highly qualified personnel, especially northern youth.
Results achieved: In 2023-24 Polar Knowledge Canada provided 15 transfer payments totalling $400,000 in support of the expected results under this transfer payment program.
Through this funding, Polar Knowledge Canada strengthened Canada’s leadership in circumpolar research by funding and providing support for Canadian researchers, early career researchers, and Indigenous and Traditional knowledge holders. The research funded by the program focused on a number of areas including climate change research, permafrost thaw, and Beluga DNA research in the Hudson Strait. In addition, funding and support was provided to the Government of the Northwest Territories for the development of a Tundra Science and Culture Camp. 10 students participated in a 10-day camp excursion to a remote lake north of Yellowknife along with educators and Tlicho elders. They participated in lessons and activities focused on human history, geoscience, wildlife biology, Tlicho activities (such as meat and fish drying), tundra plants, permafrost, and aquatic life.
Polar Knowledge Canada’s transfer payment programs complement the agency’s own knowledge management and mobilization, outreach and capacity-building activities to further key objectives and support polar science, research, and knowledge results.
Findings of audits completed in 2023-24: No audits were completed in 2023-24.
Findings of evaluations completed in 2023-24: No evaluations were completed in 2023-24.
Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2023-24: Applicants were engaged through the Polar Knowledge Canada website’s information on research funding opportunities, as well as through northern engagement outreach and open solicitations among Northern and Indigenous communities, Territorial Governments, and academic research organizations, among others. Polar Knowledge Canada uses a variety of engagement initiatives throughout the competition cycle, including but not limited to website postings, in-person meetings, webinars, phone calls, and emails. This provides ongoing opportunities for applicants and recipients to seek and receive information, and to offer feedback on service delivery.
Polar Knowledge Canada monitors recipient compliance with the terms of active funding agreements through review of financial and project progress reports that are submitted in accordance with the approved project reporting plan. Polar Knowledge Canada seeks to promote collaboration between the department and recipients.
Financial information (dollars)
| Type of transfer payment |
2021-22 actual spending |
2022-23 actual spending |
2023-24 planned spending |
2023-24 total authorities available for use |
2023-24 actual spending (authorities used) |
Variance (2023-24 actual minus 2023-24 planned) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total grants | 399,266 | 395,179 | 400,000 | 400,000 | 400,000 | 0 |
| Total contributions | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total other types of transfer payments | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total program | 399,266 | 395,179 | 400,000 | 400,000 | 400,000 | 0 |
Explanation of variances
There is no significant variance between the planned and actual spending for 2023-24.
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