The Policy Spark Grant program provides small, rapid-turnaround funding for research that addresses emerging climate policy issues in British Columbia. This program is designed to mobilize credible, actionable insights that inform public debate and support evidence-based decisions on the province’s most pressing challenges. This is a pilot grant program; we will be evaluating effectiveness and impact to determine if it will be an ongoing part of PICS’ programming. 

Policy Spark Grants are part of PICS’ Decision Impact program stream. Through this stream, PICS works to bridge academic expertise and practitioner needs, helping governments and organizations act with confidence in a changing climate. 

Applications are now closed.

Eligible applicants:

Applicants must be faculty at PICS-affiliated universities (UBC, UVic, SFU, UNBC). We encourage faculty to leverage this funding call with their ongoing research and student projects. 

• Individuals may only participate in one application.  
• Post-doctoral and graduate students must have their faculty supervisor lead an application. 
• Adjunct faculty of a PICS-affiliated university are eligible to lead an application so long as they can hold research funds at their respective university. 

Grant size:

• Up to $20,000 per project (funds will be dispersed 75 per cent up front and 25 per cent upon approval of the midterm report). 
• Funds will be transferred to university accounts.
• University overhead is an ineligible expense for PICS funds. 

Eligible topics:

Research proposals must focus on one of three thematic areas outlined below: 

• Economic exposure to climate risks 

• Financial disclosures and risk materiality 

• Risk communication and behavioral shifts 

Please review the Guide for Applicants for details about each theme area.

PICS is aiming to fund two projects per issue area. We will also aim for a balance across the PICS university network (UNBC, SFU, UBC, and UVic).

Expected Deliverables:

Deliverable 1: A two-page mid-term update should be submitted by May 31, 2026. A template will be provided to successful applicants. 

Deliverable 2: A concise research report (approx. 20 pages) written for a decision maker audience should be submitted by September 1, 2026 

• To support policy-relevant research outcomes, all applicants will be asked to participate in a half-day virtual workshop focused on writing for decision makers in May or June 2026. PICS will organize the workshop. 

• PICS retains first right to publish the research report developed through this work. The research team retains the rights to publish, re-purpose, and further develop the framework and or analysis afterwards. 

Please review the Frequently Asked Questions below before you complete your application.

FAQs

Policy Spark Research Grants Application

 

Applications closed Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026.