Canadian Watershed Research Consortium: Call for research proposals

Research proposal deadline: September 15, 2011

Background

Since 2007, the Canadian Water Network has been exploring a new paradigm for program delivery to further increase the pragmatism and relevance of research initiatives and to ensure that the needs of end users drive CWN-funded research. Known as national research consortia, these multi-partner, multi-funder communities of research and practice share a common interest in a broadly defined area of water management. They also share a strong commitment to the assessment and advancement of research underpinning the needs of end-users.

Canadian Watershed Research Consortium

Effective integrated watershed management requires co-ordination of a diverse group of decision-makers and stakeholders, and ensuring that such management is informed by the most relevant research to support decisions requires a commitment to a common framework for assessment and decision-making appropriate to the watershed.

The Canadian Watershed Research Consortium was launched to provide a venue and mechanism to develop regional environmental frameworks that support effective watershed management. The initial focus of the Canadian Watershed Research Consortium will be on developing approaches to conduct cumulative effects assessments.

Development of Regional Watershed Research Consortium Nodes

The Canadian Watershed Research Consortium has been developed using a nodal model, with regional watershed-based research consortia being launched in different areas of the country and co-ordinated nationally by CWN through the consortium. By establishing and supporting these regional nodes, the Canadian Watershed Research Consortium will help establish a network of communities of practice committed to developing effective and implementable approaches to cumulative effects assessments across Canada.

Call for Research Proposals

CWN is soliciting research proposals, to be funded for a maximum of three years (2012–15), that will develop and produce as their main project output a recommended sampling strategy to improve cumulative effects assessment by establishing regional monitoring frameworks within four inaugural watershed nodes —

• The Grand River Watershed Consortium, whose call solicits proposals that integrate research on biological indicators that detect change and current river monitoring (quality and flow) to support aquatic cumulative effects assessment in the Grand River Watershed.
  → Link to Grand River Watershed Consortium RFP

• The Muskoka River Watershed Monitoring and Management Consortium, whose call solicits research proposals to develop best practices for a collaborative monitoring program aimed at early detection of cumulative effects as well as predictive models enabling the management of multiple stressors at small and large scales.
  → Link to Muskoka River Watershed Monitoring and Management Consortium RFP
  

• The Northumberland Strait – Environmental Monitoring Partnership, whose call solicits research proposals that examine the cumulative effects of land-based nutrients, sediments and contaminants on coastal economic activities, including fisheries and aquaculture and the health of the estuaries that support them, within a number of drainage basins along Northumberland Strait.
  → Link to Northumberland Strait – Environmental Monitoring Partnership RFP
  

• The Tobacco Creek Model Watershed Research Consortium, whose call solicits research proposals that support cumulative effects monitoring of agri-ecosystem sustainability within the Red River Valley and Lake Winnipeg Basin.
  → Link to Tobacco Creek Model Watershed Research Consortium RFP
  

These four inaugural watershed nodes, for which CWN is requesting research proposals, are complemented by a pilot node for the program that was launched in Saint John Harbour, NB in 2010, totalling five watershed nodes within the Canadian Watershed Research Consortium that will focus on advancing regional environmental frameworks to support cumulative effects assessment.

Funding amount and duration

CWN has committed up to $600,000 ($200,000 a year for each of three years) to support research to be conducted within each of the four nodes. CWN’s total commitment for this research call is $2.4 million.

Important dates

Note: The RFP process for all four watershed nodes follows the same deadline and schedule noted below.

Frequently asked questions about CWN’s funding opportunities

• Download the FAQ (PDF)

Deadline for submission

Proposals must be submitted by e-mail to Janice Levangie no later than 11:59 p.m. EDT on September 15, 2011.

Confirmation of receipt of proposals will be sent within one business day. If confirmation is not received, please contact Janice Levangie by e-mail or telephone at (519) 888-4567, ext. 31144.