Increasing Knowledge on Plastic Pollution Initiative

Overview

The Increasing Knowledge on Plastic Pollution (IKPP) Initiative is a program that aims to address knowledge gaps related to the potential human health effects and ecotoxicology of plastics in Canada.  It is implemented by Environment and Climate Change Canada, in collaboration with Health Canada, It aims to increase capacity, leverage collaborative partnerships and generate knowledge in support of Canada’s Plastics Science Agenda (CaPSA) with a particular focus on research gaps identified in the Draft Science Assessment of Plastic Pollution.

This initiative is no longer accepting applications.

Objective

To support the implementation of CaPSA and address the research gaps identified in the Draft Science Assessment of Plastic Pollution, projects funded by this initiative must seek to expand understanding of the effects of plastic pollution on human health and the environment. Scientific research funded by this initiative must contribute to improving the information base for assessing the risks of plastic pollution.

Eligible applicants

Eligible groups include:

• domestic not-for-profit organizations, such as charitable and volunteer organizations, professional associations, and non-governmental organizations
• domestic Indigenous organizations, governments, individuals, boards, commissions, communities, associations, and authorities:
  • indigenous not-for-profit organizations
  • district councils, Chiefs councils and Tribal councils
  • indigenous research, academic and educational institutions
• domestic research, academic, and educational institutions
• local organizations such as community associations and groups, seniors’ and youth groups, and service clubs

The following applicants are not eligible:

• domestic for-profit organizations, such as small businesses, companies, corporations, industry associations, and agricultural organizations and
• provincial, territorial, municipal, and local governments and their agencies (e.g. Crown corporations, conservation authorities)

Although business/industry, federal, provincial and municipal governments are not eligible funding recipients, they are encouraged to partner with applicants on projects.

Geographic location

All projects must take place within Canadian provinces and territories.

Eligible projects

All projects must relate to the potential human health effects and ecotoxicology of plastics in Canada.

Stream 1:  Human health effects

Projects will address questions related to the human health hazards associated with plastics. They will involve the collection, interpretation, analysis and sharing of information to support informed decisions and actions. Eligible activities include:

• researching the uptake, translocation and fate of microplastics in the gastrointestinal and respiratory track including the physical characteristics that influence bioavailability, tissue distribution and toxicity
• researching the potential effects of microplastics-associated biofilms in drinking water
• researching the effects of plastics as vectors for chemical or biological contaminant exposure for plastic-derived chemicals (e.g. leached chemicals) and/or environmental pollutants

Stream 2: Ecotoxicological effects

Projects will increase knowledge on the biological, chemical and physical stressors introduced to ecosystems by the presence of microplastics and/or plastics-related contaminants. They will involve the collection, interpretation and analysis of data. Eligible activities include:

• Analysing the biological, chemical or physical stressors introduced to ecosystem components by these contaminants to identify thresholds needed to disrupt biochemical, physiological or behavioral interactions between plastic, the environment, and organisms
• researching the interactions between terrestrial fauna environments and microplastics

Funding available

Projects are eligible for funding up to a maximum of $200,000 total per project and must be completed within 2 years and by March 31, 2022. A total of $2.2 million in funding is available.

Contact us

Email: ec.sciencesplastiques-plasticsscience.ec@canada.ca