Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM A foundation for high-quality environmental assessment

The mission of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency is:

To provide Canadians with high-quality federal environmental assessments that contribute to informed decision making in support of sustainable development.

One of the ways the Agency's supports this mission is by funding research projects that will help to improve the science and practice of environmental assessment in Canada.

The Program's Guiding Principles

A number of principles have been adopted to guide the development and implementation of the Agency's R&D Program. Each will contribute equally to the ongoing success of the Program:

• Supporting Innovation by finding new ways to address emerging and existing challenges.
• Building Excellence by building relationships with organizations committed to developing the science and practice of environmental assessment.
• Being Strategic by balancing current needs with emerging issues.
• Maintaining Relevance by collaborating with practitioners, policy developers and decision makers on issues that are timely and relevant..
• Communicating Effectively by sharing knowledge with stakeholders.
• Providing Value by reflecting the federal government's commitment to environmental assessment and sustainable development

Why Environmental Assessment?

Environmental assessment (EA) is an indispensable tool for protecting and sustaining our environment, given the potential for serious and irreversible damage that can result from human activity. It provides decision makers with the sound information needed to approve projects that are compatible with a healthy, sustainable environment and economy for both present and future generations.

Research & Development Promotes Quality Environmental Assessment

Since the 1970's, the Government of Canada has been an advocate of high-quality environmental assessments. The Agency believes research and development (R&D) is essential to meeting the environmental, scientific and societal challenges that are at the heart of effective environmental assessments. Through the introduction of the R&D Program, the Agency has taken a major step to ensuring that federal government departments will be a position to meet future challenges and improve environmental assessment in a manner that is relevant, credible and efficient, and encourages innovation and excellence.

Get Involved!

If your planned research will contribute to improving the practice of environmental assessment, the Agency invites you to apply for funding through the R&D Program.

Annual Call for Proposals

The Agency accepts research proposals once a year through a Call for Proposals. The opening and closing dates for the Call, as well as details on appropriate proposal format can be found on the Agency's Web site.

To ensure the relevance of the research funded through the R&D Program, the Agency has identified priority research areas where information is needed. These areas may change from time to time to respond to emerging environmental assessment issues. To be considered, proposals must address one or more of these priorities.

Completed research reports become part of the Research and Development monograph series for the year the contribution is awarded.

Who can apply?

The Agency will accept proposals from the following organizations and individuals that are:

• Provincial, municipal, local governments or Aboriginal governments and public agencies;
• Not-for-profit organizations such as charitable and voluntary organizations, professional associations, environmental non-governmental organizations (ENGOs), and educational institutions;
• Aboriginal peoples' organizations and associations;
• Local organizations such as community associations and groups, seniors’ and youth groups, and service clubs;
• For-profit organizations, such as small businesses, companies, corporations and industry associations; and
• International and intergovernmental organizations and foreign governments.

Selection & Funding

All proposals will be evaluated by an evaluation committee. The Agency encourages partnerships with other government departments, Aboriginal organizations, industry, ENGOs, universities, or other organizations. Partnerships may focus on financial support, contribution of human resources, or information sharing on a research project.

Dissemination

The intent of the R&D Program is to provide relevant information and to stimulate discussion among those with an interest in environmental assessment. Following a formal peer review process, all reports are made available to governments at all levels, industry, universities, and the public electronically on the Agency's Web site.

For More Information

Additional details about the R&D Program and how to apply can be found on the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency Web site.

Subscribe Today!

If you would like to be updated on the activities of the R&D Program and be notified when new reports are published to the Web site, e-mail us at rd@ceaa-acee.gc.ca to subscribe to our distribution list.

Questions? Please contact:

Research and Development Program
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
160 Elgin Street, 22^nd Floor
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0H3
Fax: 613-948-1354
e-mail: rd@ceaa-acee.gc.ca