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.

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

Applications will open soon.

Eligible applicants:

Applicants must be faculty at PICS-affiliated universities (UBC, UBC-O, 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:

• $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 six thematic areas outlined below: 

• Topic 1: Climate progress indicators 
• Topic 2: Beyond rebates for household and small business clean technology adoption 
• Topic 3: Gas utility transition and new revenue opportunities 
• Topic 4: Electrification of critical mineral mine operations 
• Topic 5: Social cost of carbon in decision-making 
• Topic 6: Quantifying co-benefits of reducing greenhouse gas emissions in B.C. 

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

PICS will aim for a balance across the PICS university network (UNBC, SFU, UBC, UBC-O, and UVic).

Expected Deliverables:

Deliverable 1: A two-page mid-term update should be submitted by September 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 31, 2026 for topic 2, and January 31, 2027 for all other topics. 

• 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 August 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. 

Learn more about the Policy Spark projects funded in our 2025 call:

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

FAQs

Policy Spark Research Grants Application

 

Applications will open soon.

Subscribe for email updates to be notified when this program reopens for applications. The following sectors will receive specific information related to the Policy Spark program: academic/research community member and student.

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