A Year in Reflection

MEOPAR Mobilizes National Ocean Impact

From climate adaptation to the growing Blue Economy, the vitality of Canada’s ocean ecosystem relies on actionable science, strategic collaborations, engaged communities and a robust pipeline of talent. Throughout 2025, MEOPAR significantly furthered its commitment to these pillars, fuelled by a year of unprecedented growth, strategic investment, and expanded reach across the ocean research community.

Laying the Groundwork: Strategic Vision and Expanded Reach

The foundation for MEOPAR’s impactful year was the release of its new Science Strategy 2025-2030. This five-year vision outlines core priorities, including enhancing climate adaptation, fostering leadership in marine research infrastructure access, and promoting equitable opportunities in the Blue Economy. The new strategic vision immediately translated into institutional growth. Notably, MEOPAR doubled in size and became the new home for CIOOS (Canadian Integrated Ocean Observing System) National Coordination Office, dramatically expanding its role in Canada’s national ocean data strategy.

This institutional expansion was matched by a strategic increase in partnerships. A significant new collaboration with the Pacific Marine Science Alliance (PMSA), recently announced in October 2025, expanded MEOPAR’s geographic and institutional reach, enabling researchers from PMSA-member universities to connect with colleagues across Canada and internationally. Global expansion included partnership with JPI Oceans on a Rapid Response Action to coordinate an authoritative scientific review for policymakers. This critical joint initiative is specifically focused on the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), and its potential impacts on Canada’s coastline, coastal communities and the blue economy, highlighting MEOPAR’s leadership role in international scientific coordination.

Catalyzing Action Through New Funding Streams

Recognizing that impact requires direct investment, MEOPAR launched and expanded several key funding initiatives in 2025, ensuring that resources were directed to critical community-identified needs.

A major new initiative was the Expedition Fund, launched by MEOPAR to address the ongoing challenge researchers face in accessing sea-worthy vessels and marine infrastructure. Funding six expeditions in its first year, the Fund is specifically designed to broaden at-sea access, while also supporting the hiring of Indigenous-owned and operated vessels, multidisciplinary collaborations, and essential training at sea.

Beyond infrastructure, MEOPAR actively supported locally-driven community-supported science:

  • Communities of Practice (CoPs): Six CoPs were awarded funding, contributing to coordinated national ocean science efforts across key sectors like the Canadian Ocean Mapping Research and Education Network and the Ocean Acidification community.
  • Community-led Research Seed Fund: MEOPAR strengthened its commitment to equitable research, through a new fund for community-driven collaborative research.
  • Knowledge Mobilization: Twelve projects across Canada received funding from the first round of the Knowledge Mobilization Fund, ensuring that valuable research is translated into actionable insights for diverse stakeholders.

Leadership in Talent and Training

Investing in the next generation of ocean leaders is central to MEOPAR’s mandate. As part of this commitment, in 2025 MEOPAR facilitated transformative at-sea experiences and professional development opportunities:

  • Expeditions: MEOPAR supported 10 ECOPs in gaining essential experience for career development, including two participants on the Bermuda Atlantic Timeseries cruise with ASU-BIOS, and two on the Marine Renewables Expedition with NRCan (Geological Survey of Canada). An additional six ECOPs joined an Arctic research expedition, organized by the Swedish Polar Research Secretariat and NRCan.
  • Webinars and Training: MEOPAR offered free and comprehensive webinars, covering crucial topics like Exploring Inclusion and Reconciliation in Proposals and a webinar exploring the intersection of media, science, and the Royal Canadian Navy during the inaugural Canadian research expedition to Antarctica aboard the HMCS Margaret Brooke.

Meaningful Collaborations Driving Innovation

The year was defined by high-impact collaborations that leveraged MEOPAR’s ability to convene diverse partners and mobilize action.

The Canadian Antarctic Research Expedition (CARE) highlighted the network’s capacity for innovation, collaborating with the Royal Canadian Navy aboard the HMCS Margaret Brooke and utilizing innovative Modular Ocean Research Infrastructure (MORI) to transform the sea-worthy vessel into a research vessel.

Furthermore, a joint commitment with Carbon to Sea will provide $4 million to support research and development focused on ocean-based carbon dioxide removal solutions, including the launch of a Joint Learning Opportunity (JLO) for ocean alkalinity enhancement in November of 2025.

Engage With Us

MEOPAR’s 2025 was defined by mobilizing action, strengthening governance, and creating real-world impact. The growth of the team, expansion of the network, and the strategic roll-out of new funding and collaboration opportunities all point to success in entering into 2026. As such, MEOPAR invites our network to continue engaging in our new strategy, participate in our expanded opportunities, and help us to continue to lead Canada’s ocean research and innovation efforts.

Learn more about MEOPAR’s impact in our 2024–2025 Annual Report.