Advancing Ocean and River Alkalinity Enhancement Research in Canada 

MEOPAR and Carbon to Sea Canada have launched a new Call for Proposals (CFP) to advance Ocean and River Alkalinity Enhancement research across Canada.

Meeting climate targets that keep warming below 2°C requires both deep cuts to greenhouse gas emissions and the removal of hundreds of billions of tonnes of CO2 from the atmosphere this century. Ocean and river alkalinity enhancement (OAE/RAE) are promising carbon dioxide removal approaches that accelerate natural weathering processes, increasing the capacity of waters to take up and store atmospheric CO2 primarily as dissolved bicarbonate for thousands of years or longer. With the world’s longest coastline, world-class marine research infrastructure, and globally leading OAE/RAE deployments already underway in Nova Scotia, Canada is uniquely positioned to lead this next phase of research.

This CFP invites proposals that address the three foundations of OAE/RAE research (safety, efficacy, and scalability) and that advance one or more thematic priorities: measurements and models for Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV); environmental and ecological impact assessment; and governance, communities, and decision-making. RAE proposals should focus on marine-terminating rivers and consider the marine system in their scope. Funding will be prioritized for projects that align with one or more of MEOPAR’s strategic objectives, which include: strengthening the evidence base for decision-making, supporting resilient coastal communities and marine ecosystems, improving access to ocean research infrastructure, and developing Canada’s ocean research and innovation talent.

Proposals are encouraged from diverse geographies, ecosystems, and organizations across Canada. MEOPAR and Carbon to Sea Canada are committed to advancing Truth and Reconciliation and Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (EDIA) in all activities, and applicants are encouraged to engage Indigenous communities, ocean-impacted communities, industry, not-for-profits, policymakers, and other relevant rights holders, partners, and knowledge users, as appropriate to the project. Applications will be evaluated in part on their plans for meaningful engagement and inclusive participation, including consideration of barriers to participation and opportunities to involve individuals from equity-deserving groups.

Eligible recipients include Canadian post-secondary institutions, not-for-profit organizations, Indigenous organizations and governments, municipalities, research networks, public engagement organizations, and start-up companies (including those housed in Canadian post-secondary-linked incubators). Federal departments, agencies, and Crown Corporations are not eligible.

Projects may be up to 18 months in duration, from April 1, 2027, to October 31, 2028, with a maximum request of $150,000. The total funding envelope for this call is approximately $1M. Project leads must secure matching funds (cash or in-kind) from non-federal sources at a minimum ratio of 0.3:1.

Proposals will be submitted through the MEOPAR portal, opening September 2026, with a submission deadline of 12 November 2026 at 23:59 EST. An information session will be held in October 2026 and recorded for later viewing.

For questions, please contact Kristi Carter at kristi.carter@meopar.ca.

Project Documents:

Call for Proposals English / Français
Application Guide English / Français
Proposal Form English / Français
Appendix B/B1 English / Français
Appendix C English / Français