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Background
- What is International Polar Year (IPY)?
- What is Canada's role in IPY?
- Is IPY a Government of Canada initiative?
- What is the difference between the National IPY committee, the Canadian IPY Secretariat and the Federal Program office for IPY?
- What is a "IPY Northern Coordination Offices"?
- How will Aboriginal people and Northerners be involved in IPY?
Funding
- What is the Government of Canada's investment in IPY?
- How will the Government of Canada funding be managed?
- What is the Government of Canada's International Polar Year Program?
Research
- Why does it take a special event like IPY for governments to do needed research?
- Who will be doing the research in Canadian communities?
- What has come out of past Arctic research?
- How can I become involved in IPY activities in Canada?
Projects
- When will calls for proposals be launched?
- What are the research priorities of the Government of Canada Program for IPY?
- How will science and research projects be chosen?
- My science proposal received an endorsement from the International IPY Joint Committee (a requirement for Government of Canada funding), does this mean I will receive Government of Canada funding?
- Who decides which science projects receive funding?
- Why is it taking so long for funding decisions to be made?
- When will I hear if my project has been funded?
- A colleague of mine has heard that his/her proposal has not been chosen for funding, because I have not heard does that mean my proposal has been chosen for funding?
- I have been asked to revise my budget, does that mean my proposal for funding has been accepted?
- Why is more funding not being directed north for the Science and Research Projects?
Results
Aboriginal/Northern Communities
- How many researchers are expected to visit Canadian northern communities?
- What is the Canadian definition of the North for the purposes of IPY?
- who will benefit from IPY research?
- How will IPY benefit Aboriginal people and Northerners?
Aboriginal/traditional knowledge
Security
Background
What is International Polar Year (IPY)?
International Polar Year (IPY) 2007-2008 is the largest ever international program of coordinated, interdisciplinary science, research and observations over a 24-month period, focussed the Arctic and Antarctic. Commencing March 1, 2007 the initiative will include activities in the Earth's two polar regions in order to explore new scientific frontiers, deepen our understanding of polar processes and their global linkages, improve our ability to detect change, continue to involve Arctic residents in research activities, attract and develop the next generation of polar scientists and experts, and capture the interest of the public.
IPY is set to involve as many as 60 countries, including Canada, and tens of thousands of scientists and research personnel from around the world. It is coordinated internationally by the International Council of Science (ICSU) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), and has been endorsed by numerous international bodies, including the Arctic Council and the United Nations Environment Program.
What is Canada's role in IPY?
Canada is poised to play an important global leadership role in IPY 2007-2008. It is estimated that 60 per cent of the projects with a northern polar component will include Canadian involvement and/or activity within Canada's borders. As the second-largest polar nation in the world - nearly 25 per cent of the Arctic falls within our borders. Canadians recognize that changes in the Arctic will inevitably be felt by the rest of Canada and the world. During International Polar Year, scientists and researchers will help find answers to urgent questions facing the Arctic, to the benefit of all. Many of the strategic issues for the North - climate change, contaminants, circumpolar health - cannot be addressed by any one nation. IPY provides Canada with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to work together with researchers from other countries on issues which affect all of us.
Is IPY a Government of Canada initiative?
IPY is an international initiative involving more than 60 nations including Canada and key partners such as the United States, China, Norway, the European Union, Finland, Iceland, Russia and others. Canada has made a significant investment in a Canadian involvement in IPY. Canada contributes to IPY through our National Committee, the Canadian IPY Secretariat and the Federal Program office for IPY.
What is the difference between the National IPY committee, the Canadian IPY Secretariat and the Federal Program office for IPY?
In 2004, the Canadian Steering Committee (subsequently renamed National IPY committee) was established to provide leadership and promote interest in International Polar Year across Canada. This committee includes representatives from federal departments and agencies, universities, Aboriginal organizations, Northern communities, territorial and provincial governments, Northern research institutes and colleges and others.
The Canadian IPY Secretariat was established at the University of Alberta to support the National IPY Committee and facilitate the planning and implementation of IPY in Canada. The mandate of the Secretariat is to support planning and implementation of the Canadian IPY program, broaden the discussions of proposed IPY research, facilitate collaborations between projects (regionally, nationally and internationally), enable the development of Canadian contributions to IPY, and provide support to the efforts of the National Committee.
The IPY Federal Program Office has been established at Indian and Northern Affairs Canada in Ottawa (previously referred to as the Canadian IPY Program Office - Federal Secretariat). It is responsible for the administration and coordination of the Government of Canada Program for IPY, on behalf of the six co-lead federal departments (Indian and Northern Affairs, Environment, Fisheries and Oceans, Health, Industry, and Natural Resources).
The IPY Federal Program Office works closely with the Canadian IPY Secretariat, the IPY Northern Nodes, and others to ensure coordination with the broader national and international IPY programs.
Staff in the IPY Federal Program Office include:
- Executive Director: Kathleen Fischer
- Director: Robert Fortin
- Manager: Sarah Kalhok
- Coordinators:
- Science: Stephanie Rees
- Logistics and Licencing: Katherine Wilson
- Data Management: Scott Tomlinson
- Training, Communication and Outreach: Jennifer Bellman
- Program Reporting and Evaluation: Lillian Hayward
- Executive Assistant: Antonia Simmons
- Finance Officer: Amaria Boukheloua
- Administration Officer: Lucia Merchan
What is a "IPY Northern Coordination Offices"?
Northern offices, or "IPY Northern Coordination Offices", are hosted by regionally based organization in several regions of Canada's North. These offices coordinate IPY activities on a regional and community level, and support and encourage northern communities and organizations to become more engaged in IPY activities.
At this time, IPY Northern Coordination Offices coordinators have been hired on an interim basis to serve as a regional point of contact and to facilitate the involvement of northerners in IPY. IPY Northern Coordination Offices will be established on a longer term basis following further consultation with regional and national stakeholders. The IPY Northern Coordination Offices coordinators are:
Nunavut: hosted by Nunavut Research Institute
Coordinator: Jamal Shirley, tel: 867-979-7290; fax: 867-979-7109;
email: jshirley@nac.nu.ca
Yukon: hosted by Council of Yukon First Nations
Coordinator: Bob Van Dijken, tel: (867) 393-9237; fax: (867) 668-6577;
email: bvandijken@cyfn.net
Nunavik and Labrador: hosted by the Nunavik Research Centre
Coordinator: Barrie Ford, tel: 819-964-2951; fax: 819-964-2230;
email: b_ford@makivik.org
Northwest Territories - hosted by the Aurora Research Institute
Coordinator: Alana Mero, tel (867)777-3298 ext. 30; fax: (867)777-4264
email: amero@auroracollege.nt.ca
How will Aboriginal people and Northerners be involved in IPY?
Aboriginal people and Northerners play a significant role in the planning, coordination and implementation of the upcoming IPY.
Aboriginal and northern organizations including Council of Yukon First Nations, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, Inuit Circumpolar Conference, Government of Yukon, Government of the Northwest Territories, Government of Nunavut, Yukon College, and Nunavut Research Institute are members of the Canadian IPY National Committee, which coordinates the overall IPY activities for Canada. Offices, or "northern nodes", are being established in several regions in Northern Canada to facilitate the involvement of Northerners in IPY and to ensure that northern priorities and needs are met.
IPY research in Canada will involve partnerships, including working with territorial governments, northern Aboriginal organizations, communities and other northern stakeholders. IPY activities will integrate traditional and local knowledge, and research teams will be expected to involve Elders and other Aboriginal knowledge-keepers, as appropriate to the research.
IPY research and other activities will also incorporate capacity building and training opportunities, especially for Northerners and new northern researchers. There will be special emphasis on communications and outreach activities that engage and are led by Northerners and Aboriginal peoples.
Funding
What is the Government of Canada's investment in IPY?
The Government of Canada has allocated funding in the amount of $150 million, which, over six years, will enable Canada to carry out an innovative, multidisciplinary program for IPY
How will the Government of Canada funding be managed?
IPY funding is being jointly managed by the Departments of Indian and Northern Affairs, Environment, Natural Resources, Fisheries and Oceans, Health Canada and Industry Canada.
What is the Government of Canada's International Polar Year Program?
The Government of Canada Program for IPY is designed to support an innovative and interdisciplinary Canadian IPY Program, as part of a larger international effort.
The heart of this Program will be interdisciplinary science and research on critical issues facing the North:
- climate change impacts and adaptation, and
- health and well-being of Northern communities.
In addition, the Program for IPY will also:
- provide support to agencies and organizations involved in the research licensing and permitting process;
- bolster emergency preparedness and search and rescue capabilities and ensure adequate facilities are available to meet the basic health and safety needs of scientists and communities involved in IPY research;
- create education and on-the-ground training opportunities for Northerners and Aboriginal people to build capacity that contributes to a lasting legacy;
- properly store and manage all of the data generated during IPY to ensure it is accessible over the near and long term; and
- undertake communications and outreach activities to raise awareness of IPY and Northern issues more generally.
Research
Why does it take a special event like IPY for governments to do needed research?
Research into the world's polar regions is ongoing. International Polar Year provides the opportunity to raise awareness world-wide about that research, and the important issues associated with special places such as Canada's Arctic. IPY provides researchers with the opportunity for collaboration and information sharing, and it gives northerners an opportunity to share their concerns over the effects of important issues such as climate change and the health and wellbeing of Northern communities. In addition the concerted efforts of many countries allows us to undertake research that may be too costly for individual countries.
Who will be doing the research in Canadian communities?
International Polar Year will bring some of the leading scientists from Canada and around the world to answer some of the questions that are important on both a national and global scale. For the most part projects in Canada's north will be led by Canadian researchers.
What has come out of past Arctic research?
A great deal of valuable information has come out of past Arctic research. For example, the second IPY was marked by breakthroughs in auroral and upper atmospheric science related to radio communications, navigation and weather forecasting. The third IPY was marked by unprecedented exploration and discoveries as well as the launch of the Space Age. It also laid the foundations for the next decades of cooperation in polar research, which included the establishment of the Canadian Polar Continental Shelf Project and the signing of the Antarctic Treaty
How can I become involved in IPY activities in Canada?
If you are interested in becoming involved in IPY activities please visit the Canadian IPY website 
. Specific questions regarding the Government of Canada's IPY program can be directed to International Polar Year Federal Program Office at (819) 953-2007 or API-IPY@ainc-inac.gc.ca.
Projects
When will calls for proposals be launched?
The first Call for Proposals for funding under the Government of Canada Program for IPY, claused on March 31, 2006.
List of science and research projects
A Call for Proposals, focusing on training, communications, and outreach activities for International Polar Year will also be issued in Spring 2007.
For further information on these Government of Canada funding opportunities, contact the IPY Federal Program Office at api-ipy@ainc-inac.gc.ca. Information on other funding opportunities for International Polar Year can be found at the Canadian IPY Secretariat Portal.
What are the research priorities of the Government of Canada Program for IPY?
As a key deliverable for International Polar Year, the Government of Canada is supporting a targeted science and research program focused on two of Canada's most important challenges for its northern regions: science for climate change impacts and adaptation; and health and well-being of northern communities.
Climate change is already evident in the Arctic, as witnessed by increases in average temperature that are almost double the global increases registered in recent decades, widespread melting of glaciers, declining ice and snow cover, and warming of permafrost. These changes, in turn, are affecting the Northern environment, its ecosystems, infrastructure, communities and economic sustainability.
Improving the health outcomes and raising the health status of Canadians living in the North are national priorities and major public health objectives. IPY research will provide information to assist Northerners set their own policies and programs that contribute to improving the health and well-being among Northerners.
How will science and research projects be chosen?
Science and Research projects will be chosen after a multi-stage review process which includes the following steps:
Proposal Screening: this ensured that each proposal met the mandatory eligibility and relevance criteria laid out in the call for proposals.
External Peer Review: In-depth evaluations were carried out by as many as five (5) individual experts in the field(s) of study covered in each proposal. These evaluations assisted the Science Review Panels in their assessments of proposals.
Science Review - Panels: Two (2) multidisciplinary panels carried out a detailed review of each proposal and rated proposals against strict criteria. Panel members, who were drawn from a variety of sectors (academia, government, Northern/Aboriginal/community organisations), were selected for their scientific and subject matter expertise, and collectively encompassed a variety of perspectives ranging from technical to policy to social and cultural.
Review of Logistics Plans: The Logistics, Infrastructure and Emergency Preparedness Subcommittee evaluated the feasibility and appropriateness of logistics plans of proposals, and began their assessment of the potential increase in demands on Canada's logistics providers, northern communities, research infrastructure and emergency preparedness capacities that could result from IPY science and research activities. Subcommittee members include experts in the field of logistics coordination and emergency preparedness planning.
Review of Data Management Plans: The Data Management Subcommittee reviewed proposals to ensure they met the requirements of the IPY Data Policy. Subcommittee members include experts in a variety of aspects of data management.
Regional, Social and Cultural Review: Teams in the Yukon, NWT, Nunavut and Nunavik reviewed proposals to evaluate: the relevance of the project to northern priorities; the potential impacts and/or benefits of the project for northern communities; the extent of northern community involvement; the suitability of plans to communicate with Northerners; the ways in which traditional knowledge is incorporated in the project; and the legacy and training opportunities for Northerners, particularly for Aboriginal people, presented by the project.
Science Review - Subcommittee: The Science Review Subcommittee, whose members are largely drawn from the above-mentioned panels, considered the assessments and recommendations from each previous stage in the review and provided a further evaluation of how proposals collectively met to the objectives of the Government of Canada Program for IPY. This multidisciplinary subcommittee made funding recommendations to the ADM committee.
The final decision making body, the Assistant Deputy Minister committee, has representation from six (6) Federal Government Departments: Indian and Northern Affairs, Environment, Natural Resources, Fisheries and Oceans, Health, and Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council on behalf of Industry, as well as the Chair of the Canadian IPY National Committee.
Researchers who submitted proposals will be contacted by early February and successful projects will be announced in early March 2007.
My science proposal received an endorsement from the International IPY Joint Committee (a requirement for Government of Canada funding), does this mean I will receive Government of Canada funding?
Projects that receive endorsement from the IPY joint committee are not automatically funded by the Government of Canada. Although in order to be eligible for Government of Canada funding all projects were required to receive endorsement the number of high quality submissions received far exceeded the amount of funding available.
Who decides which science projects receive funding?
Following the comprehensive review process final funding decisions will be made by a committee that includes the Assistant Deputy Ministers of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, Environment Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Health Canada, Natural Resources Canada, the Vice-President of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, and the Chair of the Canadian IPY National Committee. These decisions are based on input and recommendations from peer reviewers, expert scientific panels, regional social/cultural review teams and recommendations from a science review sub committee
Why is it taking so long for funding decisions to be made?
Decisions will be carefully made after a multi stage assessment process to ensure the relevance of projects to the two key northern priorities for Canada. In addition, the criteria applied in the review and project selection process included:
- The relevance of project proposals to Government priorities and Canada's strategic and northern policy interests;
- Potential to generate useful knowledge and long term benefits for the North; and ,
- Inclusion of Northerners and traditional knowledge.
A peer review of proposals by subject matter experts was undertaken to ensure scientific excellence.
A regional social/cultural review with communities across the North was undertaken to obtain recommendations for proposals on traditional knowledge, involvement of Northerners, and training opportunities.
When will I hear if my project has been funded?
Projects are in the final review stages. Once the funding decisions have been made, the IPY Federal Program Office will inform the applicant on each proposal of their status. It is expected that this will occur by the end February.
A colleague of mine has heard that his/her proposal has not been chosen for funding, because I have not heard does that mean my proposal has been chosen for funding?
This means your proposal may still be under consideration for funding.
I have been asked to revise my budget, does that mean my proposal for funding has been accepted?
This means your proposal is still being considered.
Why is more funding not being directed north for the Science and Research Projects?
Although final funding decisions have not been made there are a number of Northern led research projects which are still under consideration, as well as a number of projects, led by universities and other research organizations, with strong Northern involvement. Northerners involvement in the research program has been a very important consideration in the review of IPY proposals. Proposals have been reviewed to ensure that they involve Northern students and Elders and we hope that these projects will help build science capacity in the North and encourage a generation of young Northern students to become tomorrow's arctic science leaders. There will also be strong Northern involvement in the other components of the IPY program, such as education and outreach, data management and logistics.
Results
How will IPY research results be shared?
Communicating the results of the research projects is an important element of the overall outreach plan for the Government of Canada's IPY program. The results of the projects will be disseminated in various ways. It is required that researchers share information/results with communities. It is expected that the results of the projects will be published in scientific journals, shared with policy makes and shared with the national and international community through a number of workshops.
Aboriginal/Northern Communities
How many researchers are expected to visit Canadian northern communities?
Although exact numbers are not yet known, there is an expected to be an increase in research activity in all areas of the north. All research teams must work with the Northern Nodes to meet the different regulatory requirements of each territory. Therefore once proposals have been finalized, estimates for the exact number of researchers planning to visit northern communities can be made and communities will be notified and can prepare accordingly. As a host nation, Canada will ensure that basic facilities and services are in place to accommodate an influx of researchers to Canada's North during the peak IPY period of 2007 to 2009. These investments will also increase the overall capacity to carry out science in Canada's North.
What is the Canadian definition of the North for the purposes of IPY?
For the purposes of the Call for Proposals under the Government of Canada Program for IPY, Canada's North is defined as the land and ocean based territory that lies north of the southern limit of discontinuous permafrost from northern British Columbia to northern Labrador.
Who will benefit from IPY research?
Canadians, generally, and Northerners, in particular, will benefit from the IPY research. However, since climate change is a global problem, it is anticipated that the results of the research and observations uncovered during IPY will benefit a broader international audience. Canadians can expect to benefit from the legacy of enhanced research capacity and infrastructure, data, communications tools, and a new generation of scientists. It is estimated that 25 to 50 percent of IPY projects will include Canadian involvement and/or activity in the Canadian Arctic.
How will IPY benefit Aboriginal people and Northerners?
Aboriginal people and Northerners play a significant role in the planning, coordination and implementation of the upcoming IPY. Offices, or "northern nodes", have been established in four regions in Northern Canada to facilitate the involvement of Northerners in IPY and to ensure that northern priorities and needs are met. IPY research in Canada will involve partnerships, including working with territorial governments, northern Aboriginal organizations, communities and other northern stakeholders. IPY activities will integrate traditional and local knowledge, and research teams will be expected to involve Elders and other Aboriginal knowledge-keepers, as appropriate to the research. IPY research and other activities will also incorporate capacity building and training opportunities, especially for Northerners and new northern researchers. There will be special emphasis on outreach activities that engage and are led by Northerners and Aboriginal peoples. Both of the areas of Canadian science and research are issues of importance to Northerners: health and wellbeing of Northern communities and climate change adaptation. Through IPY Northerners will become more directly involved in research that affects their communities.
Aboriginal/traditional knowledge
How is traditional knowledge being incorporated into IPY research?
The Government of Canada Program for IPY acknowledges that Elders and other knowledge-keepers are in a position to make a crucial contribution to the design and management of Northern research.
Researchers have also been encouraged to integrate both western science and traditional knowledge into their proposals. Social cultural review teams in each region have also provided advice to researchers on how to incorporate traditional knowledge into their projects. This will be an ongoing effort throughout the IPY.
Security
With so many visitors from other countries, how are security concerns being addressed?
Departments and agencies within Canada responsible for security will be advised of all known foreign visitors expected to be conducting research within Canada during IPY. The foreign researchers will also be provided with information concerning such items as required visas, permitting, vessel clearances and international ship and port security requirements prior to their arrival in Canada
Revised on Feb. 22, 2007
