A Knowledge Mobilization Fund has been established within the Ocean Frontier Institute’s (OFI) Safe and Sustainable Development of the Ocean Frontier (SSDOF) research program.

The fund is designed to:

• Support travel to conferences, event hosting, and outreach activities that target knowledge exchange, engagement and research communication and would not be possible without this additional financial support
• Extend the reach and impact of the SSDOF research program by communicating research outcomes with diverse audiences

Applicants must be or have previously been involved with the SSDOF research program through:

• a Large Research Project (LRP)
• Seed Fund project, or
• Opportunities Fund project

Priority will be given to applicants who self-identify as early career researchers or from historically underrepresented groups such as Indigenous, women, 2SLGBTQIA+ and racialized individuals (please see the confidential self-identification form below).

Applicants must clearly outline how the travel or event will increase knowledge mobilization of the SSDOF research program, including prospective outcomes. Applications must be made well before the travel or event takes place, and ideally before confirmation of participation. The fund is intended for eligible applicants who do not have access to other sources of funding that could be used for this purpose. The fund can only be awarded once per applicant. Any award funds must be fully expended by March 31, 2026.

Funding is subject to availability, which will vary over time. Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

Allowable expenses include:

• Travel to and from the applicant’s home city (lowest airfare)
• Accommodation
• Registration fees
• Per diem
• Local travel expenses
• Expenses related to hosting a knowledge exchange meeting or event (e.g., policy meeting with government, workshop)

Expenses must fall within institutional policies and Canada First Research Excellence Fund (CFREF) guidelines. Reimbursement of expenses must follow institutional policies and procedures. For travel funding requests, successful applicants will be reimbursed by submitting a travel claim to the responsible partner institution. For meeting or event funding requests, the applicant will work with OFI for payment and reimbursement.

Upon request, successful applicants may be supported by the OFI communications team in internal and external communications content development, if schedules allow.