Research support: Arctic logistics and field equipment for across Canada

Are you a field researcher who needs logistical support for your work in Canada’s North?

Or are you part of a federal government team that needs field equipment for research conducted elsewhere in Canada?

At Canada’s Polar Continental Shelf Program (PCSP), we can help. We provide these services and coordinate the timing of Arctic projects so you can share resources during expeditions. We also support the Canadian Armed Forces Arctic Training Centre (CAFATC) in Resolute, Nunavut. Read on to learn about our services and how to apply for support.

Overview of PCSP Arctic Research Services – Part A

We provide

Charter air transportation to and from remote field camps throughout the Canadian Arctic Field equipment for loan (including cold-weather clothing and communications equipment) to science projects and science-supporting operations projects across Canada Fuel for aircraft, field equipment and camps Meals, accommodations, and work spaces (including a multi-purpose laboratory) at the PCSP facility in Resolute, Nunavut (see below) Advice and coordination for shipping and receiving (including sealift and transportation of dangerous goods)

We do not provide

Commercial flights, commercial accommodations, and commercial vehicle/equipment rentals Food and personnel for field camps Training of field party members and personnel Wildlife monitoring services A community liaison Required licences, permits or environmental assessments Scientific fieldwork planning Firearms Environmental remediation Project endorsements or letters of support

In-kind support eligibility

The PCSP offers advice, coordination, equipment loans and planning free of charge to eligible projects (the PCSP will not charge overhead or service fees), but clients will be billed for direct expenditures made on their behalf.

In certain situations, projects may be eligible to receive in-kind support whereby the PCSP may be able to offset or absorb all or a portion of the expenditures related to requested aircraft logistics and accommodations at the PCSP facility in Resolute.

In order for applicants to be considered for in-kind support (related to aircraft logistics and accommodations), they must:

• submit their logistics requests during the application period through the NRCan PCSP Portal

• ensure the project will be led by a federal department, a territorial government or Indigenous organization/government, a Northern organization or college, or a Canadian university
• confirm that the project supports the generation of scientific (social or natural sciences) or Indigenous knowledge
• ensure their project falls within the operational radius of a PCSP Hub (see Figure 1). In locations where the PCSP has a contracted aircraft (PCSP Hub), eligible projects will be considered for in-kind support. In areas where the PCSP often has call-up aircraft (PCSP Flex Hubs), in-kind support will be considered only in years when there is sufficient demand to achieve economies of scale and funding levels allow. If there is a critical level of demand in another location (within the PCSP’s aircraft support boundary) and the potential exists to achieve economies of scale, the PCSP may consider establishing an additional Flex Hub through a call-up arrangement, subject to available funding

Note: Arctic logistics support requests made outside of the fall application period may receive support depending on availability but will not be eligible for in-kind support.

Eligible clients

Researchers conducting scientific fieldwork in Canada’s North may be eligible for PCSP direct in-kind support. This includes researchers from the following groups:

• federal government departments and agencies
• Canadian universities and Northern colleges
• Northern or independent research organizations
• territorial governments and Northern communities

Researchers from international research organizations, institutions or universities conducting scientific fieldwork and federal employees undertaking operations in Canada’s North may be considered for PCSP support on a recoverable basis depending on the availability of resources.

Logistics support for media or expeditions that do not have a science component are ineligible to receive PCSP services.

Note to students and postdoctoral researchers

Given the depth of experience needed to fulfill certain areas of the evaluation criteria (e.g., student supervision, health and safety responsibilities, publications, grants and awards), applications from students and postdoctoral researchers will not be accepted.

Although a student with the required experience can be the field leader and prepare the application on behalf of their supervisor, the supervisor must be named as the Principal Investigator (PI) for the application to be considered.

Sub-programs

The PCSP has two sub-programs that are prioritized for direct in-kind support when funding levels allow:

1. Indigenous knowledge: If your project supports the preservation of the Indigenous knowledge of Arctic and Northern Peoples, indicate this in the relevant section of the regular application form. There is a place for you to explain how the community is involved in, develops, co-develops and/or co-leads your project. You should also explain how your project’s results will be shared with the community or the broader public. If this is an ongoing project, you can describe and attach any deliverables that were developed in recent years.
2. Canadian Arctic-Antarctic exchanges: We support collaboration among Canadian Arctic and non-Canadian, Antarctic scientists who want to conduct joint studies in both polar regions. If you’re a Canadian scientist (or a group of scientists) who wishes to sponsor Antarctic partners, fill in the relevant section on the regular application form. Include information about the nature of your collaboration, the proposed research and how the collaborative work will enhance your ongoing Arctic scientific research. We will also need to see proof of a firm commitment from the foreign partner to provide in-kind logistics support to you, the Canadian partner, within a two-year period following the Arctic field season.

Initial screening process

Each application for logistics support submitted to the PCSP will be reviewed based on the following criteria on a pass/fail basis. Any application that fails in a category will be ineligible for PCSP support.

• Mandate
  All projects receiving support must relate to the PCSP’s mandate of providing logistics and related support for the purposes of advancing scientific knowledge of the Arctic region and contributing to the exercise of Canada’s sovereignty in that region and its adjacent waters.
• Health and safety
  All projects receiving support from the PCSP must have health and safety plans signed off by the PI’s institution or organization. The PI and all field team members must take an active role in ensuring their plans are fully developed and implemented. Insufficient training, planning or experience in Arctic fieldwork could result in the PCSP not supporting your project.
• PCSP aircraft support boundary
  PCSP aircraft support is available in Canada’s North only, as defined in Figure 1. Projects taking place south of this boundary may request equipment loans only.
• Please note that other criteria will be used to assist with project feasibility assessments and logistics planning, including field plans and budgets developed by the PIs.

Figure 1: PCSP map of areas of support

How to apply: Three steps

We accept applications in September and October for work that will happen in the next calendar year. Sometimes, we can accommodate requests at other times of the year.

Step 1: Review important information

Review the PCSP Arctic Operations Manual and the PCSP Mandatory Criteria [PDF, 199 KB].

Step 2: Plan and prepare

Plan your fieldwork and prepare to apply.

Step 3: Apply

• The PCSP is currently accepting logistics requests for the 2026 field season through the NRCan PCSP Portal until October 15, 2025, at 3 p.m. EST.
• Requests for logistics support received outside the fall application intake window (September/October) will be considered on a recoverable basis.

Notes

• Returning applicants will be able to use the same GCKey for the NRCan PCSP Portal.
• New applicants will be required to create a GCKey to access the Portal.

Please note that the Portal is a secure environment residing on Government of Canada servers.

The review process

For university applicants, the PCSP Project Review Committee (PRC), made up of external academic and government researchers, reviews applications using the PRC Scoring Guide.

For federal, provincial or territorial government applicants, projects in the Arctic are prioritized on behalf of their department or agency by a coordinating Director General nominated from each department or agency. Before applying, speak with your coordinating body about any internal requirements and priorities.

When a project is fully planned and coordinated and the project’s PI has provided an intent to proceed, the PCSP will send a formal project agreement (typically in February or March) for signature. This document confirms the planned logistics, provides estimated costs and includes our Mandatory Criteria (PDF, 199 KB).

A reminder to please be courteous in all communications with PCSP staff; your communication history may be considered during the project vetting process.

Overview of PCSP field equipment services for federal research elsewhere in Canada – Part B

The PCSP provides several types of support to federal government researchers conducting fieldwork in Canada, outside the Arctic:

• field equipment for loan and/or purchase
• coordination or assistance with shipping and receiving
• advice on sealift and transporting dangerous goods

Our field equipment inventory

• Clothing and footwear
• Tools
• Camping equipment
• Communications equipment
• Field vehicles, such as ATVs, snowmobiles and trailers
• Safety equipment

Our field equipment facilities

Loans are made from our logistics hub in Ottawa, which is home to our headquarters and equipment warehouse. Researchers can arrange a visit to view available inventory.

Who can apply

Federal government department and agency members with projects that require field equipment at sites across Canada can apply.

Costs and in-kind support

Costs: The PCSP will bill you at cost if we supply you with non-returnable items (like batteries or duct tape). The PCSP will also recover all shipping charges from the client.

In-kind support: We offer free equipment loans (like ATVs, snowmobiles, tents, outerwear, tools and footwear) as long as the items are returned in good condition. Reasonable wear and tear is permitted. If you damage, destroy or lose an item, we will bill you for the replacement cost.

Deadlines

These are the minimum timelines to which the PCSP responds:

• Are you shipping non-dangerous goods by air to the Arctic (communities in territories and in remote, northern parts of provinces)?
  Submit your request at least five weeks before the desired delivery date.
  
• Do you need to ship dangerous goods to the Arctic?
  Contact us as soon as possible
  
• Are you shipping by road to other destinations in Canada?
  Submit your request at least three weeks before the desired delivery date.
  
• Are you picking up field equipment at the PCSP Ottawa warehouse?
  Submit your request at least two weeks before the desired pickup date. We may be able to make exceptions for small requests.

Reach out to the PCSP well in advance of your fieldwork to increase the chances that the equipment you need is available and provide enough time for shipping.

How to apply

If you are looking to borrow equipment, submit your request using the Field Equipment Request tab of the NRCan PCSP Portal.

The review process

We assess requests on a case-by-case and first-come, first-served basis.

PCSP publications and related information

Please click here to view PCSP-supported projects, related publications, and additional information.

Contact us

Polar Continental Shelf Program

Natural Resources Canada

2464 Sheffield Road

Ottawa, ON  K1B 4E5

Email: PCSPOttawa-PPCPOttawa@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca