About
The Seed Fund provides both expertise and financial support for ocean-related projects with strong innovation potential. The program is designed to advance bold, forward-thinking ideas that align with the Transforming Climate Action (TCA) program themes across research, commercial, policy, and social domains. By driving early-stage innovation, the Seed Fund aims to pave the way for larger-scale research initiatives, policy development, and commercial investment opportunities.
Since 2018, more than 150 projects have been awarded funding.
Expanding the impact of your research
In addition to funding, recipients of the Seed Fund will have additional pathways for innovation and commercialization by working with our partners. For example, one successful Seed Fund recipient whose project involves or explores artificial intelligence (AI) or advanced data synthesis may be eligible to receive support and resources from DeepSense.
Co-funders
Supporting partner
Apply
All proposed projects must align with the Transforming Climate Action (TCA) program themes. Additional information on TCA themes can be found here.
Successful applicants will be required to:
- Showcase their work publicly (OFI will assist with this communication)
- Contribute to our reporting to CFREF at the end of the approved award period. Applicants selected for funding by Seed Fund sponsors may have additional application and reporting requirements
Please select your institution below to access institution-specific application guidelines.
Eligibility
Applicants must be current faculty, staff, technicians, postdocs, or students at Dalhousie University.
Note: students, postdocs, and technicians awarded funding must be supervised by a current faculty member who is identified as the grant holder and will assume responsibility for distribution of funds and terms of the deliverables.
Funding available
- Awards will typically range from $10,000 to $15,000 with up to $20,000 for particularly compelling ideas
- Funding is intended for projects to be undertaken and completed within 12 months
- Projects aligned with TCA Research Theme 2: Ocean-Based Climate Change Mitigation (Large Research Project 2.1: Marine Carbon Dioxide Removal and Large Research Project 2.2: Carbon Point Source Mitigation) may be eligible for funding support from Net Zero Atlantic
Selection criteria
SF applications will be assessed on the following selection criteria:
- Excellence and creativity of the proposed research project
- Alignment with TCA's research priorities
- Potential for the project to create broader commercial, research, policy, or social relevance opportunities related to the ocean and climate change
- The project’s plan to foster and support respectful engagement, the removal of systemic barriers, and equitable access considerations
Note: The fund cannot be used to supplement OFI's large research projects currently underway.
Eligible expenses
- Funds must be administered in accordance with the CFREF Administration Guide. Funds must not be used to pay an awardee researcher’s salary or other remuneration
- For co-funded projects, sponsor funds must be administered in accordance with their guidelines
- OFI does not accept responsibility or obligation for funds expended more than the amount provided through the Seed Fund, or for funds expended before or after the term of the Seed Fund
- Depending on the funding source, Seed Fund Award may not be eligible for overhead costs
How to apply
To submit your application, please follow these steps:
- Prepare the following documents:
- Completed application form
- Budget justification spreadsheet
- Curriculum Vitae. (maximum two pages per person; if submitting multiple CVs, compile them into a single file)
- Complete the Seed Fund-Excluded Reviewers Form to submit a list of individuals you prefer not to review your application (Optional)
- Complete the Checklist Confirmation Form (required before submitting your application)
- Email all required documents to: seedfund@dal.ca
Embracing respectful engagement
Transforming Climate Action (TCA) partner institutions are committed to fostering a research and collegial culture grounded in respectful engagement and balanced representation. We encourage applications from Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, racialized individuals, Black individuals, women, and members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, including trans and non-binary individuals.
Review process
The final decisions will be reviewed and confirmed by the TCA Scientific Directorate, based on recommendations from the Seed Fund review committee and, when appropriate, also the TCA Research Advisory Committee.
Contact
Eligibility
Applicants must be current faculty, staff, technicians, postdocs, or students at L'Université du Québec à Rimouski.
Note: students, postdocs, and technicians awarded funding must be supervised by a current faculty member who is identified as the grant holder and will assume responsibility for distribution of funds and terms of the deliverables.
Funding available
- Awards will typically range from $10,000 to $15,000 with up to $20,000 for particularly compelling ideas
- Funding is intended for projects to be undertaken and completed within 12 months
Selection criteria
SF applications will be assessed on the following selection criteria:
- Excellence and creativity of the proposed research project
- Alignment with TCA's research priorities
- Potential for the project to create broader commercial, research, policy, or social relevance opportunities related to the ocean and climate change
- The project’s plan to foster and support respectful engagement, the removal of systemic barriers, and equitable access considerations
Note: The fund cannot be used to supplement OFI's large research projects currently underway.
Eligible expenses
- Funds must be administered in accordance with the CFREF Administration Guide. Funds must not be used to pay an awardee researcher’s salary or other remuneration
- OFI does not accept responsibility or obligation for funds expended more than the amount provided through the Seed Fund, or for funds expended before or after the term of the Seed Fund
How to apply
To submit your application, please follow these steps:
- Prepare the following documents:
- Completed application form
- Budget justification spreadsheet
- Curriculum Vitae. (maximum two pages per person; if submitting multiple CVs, compile them into a single file)
- Complete the Seed Fund-Excluded Reviewers Form to submit a list of individuals you prefer not to review your application (Optional)
- Complete the Checklist Confirmation Form (required before submitting your application)
- Email all required documents to: seedfund@dal.ca
Embracing respectful engagement
Transforming Climate Action (TCA) partner institutions are committed to fostering a research and collegial culture grounded in respectful engagement and balanced representation. We encourage applications from Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, racialized individuals, Black individuals, women, and members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, including trans and non-binary individuals.
Review process
The final decisions will be reviewed and confirmed by the TCA Scientific Directorate, based on recommendations from the Seed Fund review committee and, when appropriate, also the TCA Research Advisory Committee.
Contact
Eligibility
Applicants must be current faculty, staff, technicians, postdocs, or students at Université Laval.
Note: students, postdocs, and technicians awarded funding must be supervised by a current faculty member who is identified as the grant holder and will assume responsibility for distribution of funds and terms of the deliverables.
Funding available
- Awards will typically range from $10,000 to $15,000 with up to $20,000 for particularly compelling ideas
- Funding is intended for projects to be undertaken and completed within 12 months
Selection criteria
SF applications will be assessed on the following selection criteria:
- Excellence and creativity of the proposed research project
- Alignment with TCA's research priorities
- Potential for the project to create broader commercial, research, policy, or social relevance opportunities related to the ocean and climate change
- The project’s plan to foster and support respectful engagement, the removal of systemic barriers, and equitable access considerations
Note: The fund cannot be used to supplement OFI's large research projects currently underway.
Eligible expenses
- Funds must be administered in accordance with the CFREF Administration Guide. Funds must not be used to pay an awardee researcher’s salary or other remuneration
- OFI does not accept responsibility or obligation for funds expended more than the amount provided through the Seed Fund, or for funds expended before or after the term of the Seed Fund
How to apply
To submit your application, please follow these steps:
- Prepare the following documents:
- Completed application form
- Budget justification spreadsheet
- Curriculum Vitae. (maximum two pages per person; if submitting multiple CVs, compile them into a single file)
- Complete the Seed Fund-Excluded Reviewers Form to submit a list of individuals you prefer not to review your application (Optional)
- Complete the Checklist Confirmation Form (required before submitting your application)
- Email all required documents to: seedfund@dal.ca
Embracing respectful engagement
Transforming Climate Action (TCA) partner institutions are committed to fostering a research and collegial culture grounded in respectful engagement and balanced representation. We encourage applications from Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, racialized individuals, Black individuals, women, and members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, including trans and non-binary individuals.
Review process
The final decisions will be reviewed and confirmed by the TCA Scientific Directorate, based on recommendations from the Seed Fund review committee and, when appropriate, also the TCA Research Advisory Committee.
Contact
Eligibility
Applicants must be current faculty, staff, technicians, postdocs, or students at Memorial University.
Note: students, postdocs, and technicians awarded funding must be supervised by a current faculty member who is identified as the grant holder and will assume responsibility for distribution of funds and terms of the deliverables. NEW for 2025: Due to the small amount of Seed Fund budget available for this year's competition, only one application will be accepted per eligible grant holder (faculty member).
Funding available
- Awards will typically range from $10,000 to $15,000 with up to $20,000 for particularly compelling ideas
- Funding is intended for projects to be undertaken and completed within 12 months
- Projects aligned with TCA Research Theme 2: Ocean-Based Climate Change Mitigation (Large Research Project 2.1: Marine Carbon Dioxide Removal and Large Research Project 2.2: Carbon Point Source Mitigation) may be eligible for funding support from Net Zero Atlantic
Selection criteria
SF applications will be assessed on the following selection criteria:
- Excellence and creativity of the proposed research project
- Alignment with TCA's research priorities
- Potential for the project to create broader commercial, research, policy, or social relevance opportunities related to the ocean and climate change
- The project’s plan to foster and support respectful engagement, the removal of systemic barriers, and equitable access considerations
Note: The fund cannot be used to supplement OFI's large research projects currently underway.
Eligible expenses
- Funds must be administered in accordance with the CFREF Administration Guide. Funds must not be used to pay an awardee researcher’s salary or other remuneration
- For co-funded projects, sponsor funds must be administered in accordance with their guidelines
- OFI does not accept responsibility or obligation for funds expended more than the amount provided through the Seed Fund, or for funds expended before or after the term of the Seed Fund
- Depending on the funding source, Seed Fund Award may not be eligible for overhead costs
How to apply
To submit your application, please follow these steps:
- Prepare the following documents:
- Completed application form
- Budget justification spreadsheet
- Curriculum Vitae. (maximum two pages per person; if submitting multiple CVs, compile them into a single file)
- Complete the Seed Fund-Excluded Reviewers Form to submit a list of individuals you prefer not to review your application (Optional)
- Complete the Checklist Confirmation Form (required before submitting your application)
- Email all required documents to: seedfund@dal.ca
Embracing respectful engagement
Transforming Climate Action (TCA) partner institutions are committed to fostering a research and collegial culture grounded in respectful engagement and balanced representation. We encourage applications from Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, racialized individuals, Black individuals, women, and members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, including trans and non-binary individuals.
Review process
The final decisions will be reviewed and confirmed by the TCA Scientific Directorate, based on recommendations from the Seed Fund review committee and, when appropriate, also the TCA Research Advisory Committee.
Contact
Email: seedfund@dal.ca
Eligibility
Applicants must be current faculty, staff, technicians, postdocs, or students at the University of New Brunswick.
Note: students, postdocs, and technicians awarded funding must be supervised by a current faculty member who is identified as the grant holder and will assume responsibility for distribution of funds and terms of the deliverables.
Funding available
- Awards will typically range from $10,000 to $15,000
- Funding is intended for projects to be undertaken and completed within 12 months
- Projects aligned with TCA Research Theme 2: Ocean-Based Climate Change Mitigation (Large Research Project 2.1: Marine Carbon Dioxide Removal and Large Research Project 2.2: Carbon Point Source Mitigation) may be eligible for funding support from Net Zero Atlantic
Selection criteria
SF applications will be assessed on the following selection criteria:
- Excellence and creativity of the proposed research project
- Alignment with TCA's research priorities
- Potential for the project to create broader commercial, research, policy, or social relevance opportunities related to the ocean and climate change
- The project’s plan to foster and support respectful engagement, the removal of systemic barriers, and equitable access considerations
Note: The fund cannot be used to supplement OFI's large research projects currently underway.
Eligible expenses
- Funds must be administered in accordance with the CFREF Administration Guide. Funds must not be used to pay an awardee researcher’s salary or other remuneration
- For co-funded projects, sponsor funds must be administered in accordance with their guidelines
- OFI does not accept responsibility or obligation for funds expended more than the amount provided through the Seed Fund, or for funds expended before or after the term of the Seed Fund
- Depending on the funding source, Seed Fund Award may not be eligible for overhead costs
How to apply
To submit your application, please follow these steps:
- Prepare the following documents:
- Completed application form
- Budget justification spreadsheet
- Curriculum Vitae. (maximum two pages per person; if submitting multiple CVs, compile them into a single file)
- Complete the Seed Fund-Excluded Reviewers Form to submit a list of individuals you prefer not to review your application (Optional)
- Complete the Checklist Confirmation Form (required before submitting your application)
- Email all required documents to: seedfund@dal.ca
Embracing respectful engagement
Transforming Climate Action (TCA) partner institutions are committed to fostering a research and collegial culture grounded in respectful engagement and balanced representation. We encourage applications from Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, racialized individuals, Black individuals, women, and members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, including trans and non-binary individuals.
Review process
The final decisions will be reviewed and confirmed by the TCA Scientific Directorate, based on recommendations from the Seed Fund review committee and, when appropriate, also the TCA Research Advisory Committee.
Contact
Eligibility
Applicants must be current faculty, staff, technicians, postdocs, or students at the University of Prince Edward Island.
Note: students, postdocs, and technicians awarded funding must be supervised by a current faculty member who is identified as the grant holder and will assume responsibility for distribution of funds and terms of the deliverables.
Funding available
- Awards will typically range from $10,000 to $15,000
- Funding is intended for projects to be undertaken and completed within 12 months
- Projects aligned with TCA Research Theme 2: Ocean-Based Climate Change Mitigation (Large Research Project 2.1: Marine Carbon Dioxide Removal and Large Research Project 2.2: Carbon Point Source Mitigation) may be eligible for funding support from Net Zero Atlantic
Selection criteria
SF applications will be assessed on the following selection criteria:
- Excellence and creativity of the proposed research project
- Alignment with TCA's research priorities
- Potential for the project to create broader commercial, research, policy, or social relevance opportunities related to the ocean and climate change
- The project’s plan to foster and support respectful engagement, the removal of systemic barriers, and equitable access considerations
Note: The fund cannot be used to supplement OFI's large research projects currently underway.
Eligible expenses
- Funds must be administered in accordance with the CFREF Administration Guide. Funds must not be used to pay an awardee researcher’s salary or other remuneration
- For co-funded projects, sponsor funds must be administered in accordance with their guidelines
- OFI does not accept responsibility or obligation for funds expended more than the amount provided through the Seed Fund, or for funds expended before or after the term of the Seed Fund
- Depending on the funding source, Seed Fund Award may not be eligible for overhead costs
How to apply
To submit your application, please follow these steps:
- Prepare the following documents:
- Completed application form
- Budget justification spreadsheet
- Curriculum Vitae. (maximum two pages per person; if submitting multiple CVs, compile them into a single file)
- Complete the Seed Fund-Excluded Reviewers Form to submit a list of individuals you prefer not to review your application (Optional)
- Complete the Checklist Confirmation Form (required before submitting your application)
- Email all required documents to: seedfund@dal.ca
Embracing respectful engagement
Transforming Climate Action (TCA) partner institutions are committed to fostering a research and collegial culture grounded in respectful engagement and balanced representation. We encourage applications from Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, racialized individuals, Black individuals, women, and members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, including trans and non-binary individuals.
Review process
The final decisions will be reviewed and confirmed by the TCA Scientific Directorate, based on recommendations from the Seed Fund review committee and, when appropriate, also the TCA Research Advisory Committee.
