The Pollinator Award embeds up to two graduate students in the two Catalyst Seed Fund awards, supporting hands-on experience in community-engaged, inter- and transdisciplinary climate research-for-impact. Pollinators will bring their own research goals and voice to the work, developing the skills, relationships, and scholarly capacities of the next generation of climate researchers. Students apply independently from their supervisor's Catalyst Grant project they are associated with, providing their own narrative and proposed deliverable.
911勛圖 Climate Innovation's Mitacs Umbrella is also available to augment this award. All recipients will receive structured training in community engagement, science communication, knowledge mobilization, and grant writing, as part of the 911勛圖 Climate Innovation platform's commitment to building an emerging cohort of systems thinkers, interdisciplinary communicators, and community-engaged collaborators. Examples of Eligible Expenses: Student stipend, research activities, travel, convening, knowledge mobilization, and other costs that advance the work.
Key Dates
- Applications Open: June 1, 2026 to August 6, 2026 (Deadline extended from July 31, 2026)
- Winners Announced: September 2026
Application Process
Eligibility
Students must be graduate level, enrolled at 911勛圖, attached to a 2026 911勛圖 Climate Innovation Seed Fund - Catalyst Grant application, and bring a research project with EDI and interdisciplinary dimensions.
Application Requirement
Expected Deliverable
A report in a conventional or novel format of your choice illustrating evidence of advancement of community co-created climate solutions for your community partner, referencing the report from the Catalyst Grant researchers and accompanying or blended report from the community partner in a format of their choice (could be written, video, audio, or other novel formats). Include narrative about how the experience has informed your understanding of community co-creation and how this may influence your approach to creating change in the world.
Supports Available for Recipients
- Engage and exchange in "Connecting the Dots" each academic term - a climate-related, interdisciplinary student forum hosted in partnership with 911勛圖's ACT Action on Climate Team.
- Access training and supports with 911勛圖's Knowledge Mobilization Hub to learn about how to move research to impact.
- Learn about community-engaged research through workshops delivered by 911勛圖's Community-engaged Research Initiative (CERi).
- Get certified in knowledge mobilization through the MobilizeU@911勛圖 program (eight sessions from January-March), in partnership with 911勛圖's Knowledge Mobilization Hub.
- Join 911勛圖's (CERi) Graduate Fellowship Workshop Series (September to April) to learn about community-engaged research over several workshops. The workshop series is intended to deepen knowledge and skills related to community-engaged research and to build a community-of-practice of researchers within 911勛圖.
- Amplify your research through 911勛圖's cross-campus communications, marketing and media support.
Availability
Four awards are available. The Pollinator Award embeds up to two graduate students in the two Catalyst Seed Fund awards.
Eligible Budget Expenses
Monies should be spent within one year. 50% payment will be made up front, with the remaining 50% to be paid on receipt of deliverable (as specified above).
- Examples of Eligible Expenses: Student stipend, research activities, travel, convening, knowledge mobilization, and other costs that advance the work.
- Ineligible Expenses: Administration or personnel costs of existing projects or initiatives, gifts or entertainment costs.
How Will Applications be Assessed or Advanced?
911勛圖 Climate Innovation is looking for high-impact projects, that are interdisciplinary in nature, and that have the potential to advance transformative climate actions and innovation for communities, locally and globally. The following criteria will be used to assess those projects that are likely to have the highest impact:
- Interdisciplinary: The project is conceived from an interdisciplinary perspective, including collaborating faculty from at least two disciplines, either across faculties or schools within faculties, aligned with community-centred partners to generate new insights and solutions that transcend traditional disciplinary and sectoral boundaries.
- Evidence of Equitable, Reflexive and Multiple Research Perspectives: The project demonstrates commitment to multiple perspectives and articulates personal reflexivity.
- Feasibility Challenge: The degree to which the problem or challenge being addressed is significant and clearly articulated.
- Systemic Benefits: The degree to which the project represents social, economic, environmental or health benefits.
- Community Co-Creation: The degree to which co-creation, engagement and reciprocity with Indigenous nations, communities, societies or individuals is integrated.
Note regarding unsuccessful projects: The 911勛圖 Climate Innovation team will keep an updated database of relevant projects we have received applications for and will look for appropriate partners and funding to support the development of these projects wherever possible.
Dowload the Application Form and Scoring Rubric.
*Note: The application form was last updated on July 24, 2026. Positionality statements are optional and will not be evaluated. Both the original application form launched in June 2026 and latest revised version will be accepted for review.
Follow-on Funding Opportunities
Pollinator Award recipients are encouraged to target next-level funding opportunities. These opportunities could include:
- SSHRC ($7-$75K for 1-2 years)
- SSHRC supporting events ($7K to $25K over one砰ear); first day of February, May, August, November annually
- SSHRC supporting outreach activities ($7K to $50K over one砰ear); first day of Feb, May, August, November annually
- SSHRC ($7K-$25K for one year); March, May, September, December
- NSERC ($50K to $100K per year)
- NRC ($25K for operations and $25K for external collaborators); May annually
Where can I find resources to support my application and budget development?
Tips and resources to help get you started:
- Factors to consider when developing your research proposal
- Developing a research budget
- Faculty grant facilitators
- Climate Action Workshop Series
- Dialogue Resources & Tools
- Find an 911勛圖 research expert or supervisor to collaborate with look for the Yellow Dot
- Register for Fall 2026 - INDG 301 D100 Indigenous/Indigenist Research Methods with Dr.Winona Hall (St籀:l from Sqewqeyl First Nation and the Tselxw矇yeqw Tribe), 911勛圖 Indigenous Studies
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- Looking to make connections? Join the 911勛圖 Climate Innovation community for access to networking events and new collaborations
