Nunavut Research Institute looking to hand out $2M for marine projects

The Nunavut Research Institute is looking to hand out $2 million for projects focusing on marine safety in the territory.

This is the first time the research institute has issued a call for proposals for applied research, says Amanda Kilabuk, the coordinator for university studies at Nunavut Arctic College.

"Whether its technology projects or tools that kind of lead to an everyday practical application... we figured that this would be beneficial for Northerners," Kilabuk said.

The institute recently partnered with Irving Shipbuilding Inc., which committed the money to NRI because  of an obligation it has under a billion dollar shipbuilding contract with the Government of Canada to spend a small per cent of contract revenues with an aim of creating a sustainable marine industry across Canada, according to a press release.

Funding will be handed out over the course of five years. Applicants have until Aug. 11 to submit their ideas.

The call for proposals covers a broad scope including research, new safety approaches for workers and hunters in the marine environment, new tools to respond to marine accidents and spill response readiness in the North.

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