Northern Contaminants Program
Working to reduce and, wherever possible, eliminate contaminants in traditionally harvested foods, while providing information that assists informed decision making by individuals and communities in their food use.
Call for proposals: Open
The Northern Contaminants Program is seeking proposals in the Human Health and Community-Based Monitoring and Research subprograms. The calls for proposals and budgets must be submitted by January 20, 2027, 11:59 PM EST. Community engagement form(s) and/or letters of support are due February 5, 2027, 11:59 PM EST.
On this page
About the program
The Northern Contaminants Program (NCP) engages Northerners and scientists in research and monitoring of long-range contaminants in the Canadian Arctic. These contaminants are transported to the Arctic through atmospheric and oceanic processes from other parts of the world and which remain in the Arctic environment and build up in the food chain.
The data generated by the NCP is used to assess ecosystem and human health, and the findings of these assessments are used to address the safety of traditional country foods that are important to the health and cultural practices of Northerners and northern communities, particularly Indigenous Peoples. The findings also inform policy, resulting in action to eliminate contaminants from long-range sources.
The NCP is committed to scientific excellence and northern engagement on the issue of long-range contaminants and plastic pollution in the Arctic.
NCP is now accepting proposals for projects beginning in 2027, for up to three years of funding unless otherwise indicated. Through this call for proposals, the NCP is seeking proposals for new activities using both an open call process and a targeted call.
Open call for proposals
Anyone can apply through the open call for proposals. The NCP is seeking proposals in the following two subprograms.
Human Health
Projects should generate knowledge so that Northerners and decision-makers can assess, understand and better manage the health risks in Northern Canada related to the long-range transport of contaminants in the environment and their presence in people and traditional and country foods. Research priorities and more information are listed in the Human Health Blueprint (contact us for the full blueprint priorities.) The anticipated amount available for new Human Health projects in 2027 to 2028 is $700,000.
Community-Based Monitoring and Research
Projects should address questions and northern communities' concerns about long-range contaminants and plastic pollution in ways that support community priorities, perspectives, and leadership in monitoring and research work. More information is listed in the Community-Based Monitoring and Research Blueprint (contact us for the full blueprint priorities.) The anticipated amount available for new Community-Based Monitoring and Research projects in 2027 to 2028 is $225,000.
Targeted call for proposals
Funding available through the targeted call is earmarked for researchers conducting long-term studies of northern contaminants as identified in the Environmental Monitoring and Research Blueprint. These researchers are contacted directly by the NCP to invite proposals. In addition, the program will directly contact organizations involved in supporting program delivery as described in the Communications, Capacity and Outreach and Program Coordination and Indigenous Partnerships Blueprints.
How to apply
Request an application package by emailing the NCP Secretariat at plcn-ncp@rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca.
A completed application package consists of:
- a proposal
- a budget
- community engagement form(s) and/or letters of support
Deadline to apply
Proposals and budgets must be submitted by January 20, 2027, 11:59pm EST.
Community engagement form(s) and/or letters of support are due February 5, 2027, 11:59pm EST.
Seminars
Three information webinars will be held to share information about the call for proposals.
Proposal seminar 1
Introduction and essential requirements of a NCP proposal and budget. This session will include practical examples of how to fill in the proposal and budget templates.
November 12, 2026
1-2pm EST
Microsoft Teams meeting link
Meeting ID: 293 117 657 449 431
Passcode: Ln6Ke3Uv
Proposal seminar 2
Best practices for preparing a Community-Based Monitoring and Research proposal. This session will include practical examples of how to fill in the proposal and budget templates.
December 3, 2026
1-2pm EST
Microsoft Teams meeting link
Meeting ID: 222 565 696 703 090
Passcode: uB7KN2ao
Proposal seminar 3
Best practices for preparing a Human Health proposal. This session will include practical examples of how to fill in the proposal and budget templates.
December 17, 2026
1-2pm EST
Microsoft Teams meeting link
Meeting ID: 260 420 965 097 596
Passcode: Hq96w9EK
Contact us
To request the full application package or for more information, email plcn-ncp@rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca.