2023 Competition

Centennial College, Fleming College, Ontario Tech University, Trent University and the University of Toronto Scarborough are pleased to announce the 2023 call for research projects in the EaRTH District Collaborative Research Grant (EDCRG) competition, an exciting research opportunity that was launched in February 2021.

The overall aim of this opportunity is to provide initial seed funding over 18 months for the development of high-quality collaborative research projects in areas of mutual strength and shared interest that advance the Environmental and Related Technologies Hub (EaRTH) Initiative. This seed funding is available for faculty/staff at the participating institutions to undertake short-term visits to initiate, deepen and extend collaborative research links with the goal of enabling principal investigators to make joint proposals to external funding sources for the next phase of their research.

The theme for the 2023 call is Sustainable Transportation, Mobility, and Electric Vehicle Innovations.  

The call will focus on collaborative research in areas including but not limited to:

• Connected Vehicles
  • Connectivity and connective communications 
  • Cloud computing and data analytics
  • Telematics
  • Ethics and cybersecurity 
  • Data management and storage
• Autonomous Transportation
  • Sensors and sensor data
  • Human-machine interface
  • Safety
  • Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
  • Autonomous vehicles and their impact on the industry (construction, mining, warehousing etc,)
• Shared and Integrated Mobility
  • Shared transportation and mobility solutions (ride sharing, car sharing, collective use, etc.)
  • System and/or network optimization
  • Logistics and supply chain integration
  • Vehicle networks 
• Electrified and Zero Emission Technologies
• Batteries and fuel cells
  • Charging and alternative fuelling technologies, equitable availability of charging and fuelling infrastructure for remote, and underserviced communities.  
  • Lightweight fibers and materials
  • Critical service network development and skilled trades training requirements to transition to low-carbon transportation alternatives 
  • Powertrains and lubricants
  • Critical minerals
  • Supply chain of materials
  • Impacts of new technology transition on transit networks. 

Research may be in the areas of science, technology, policy, culture, communications, networks and systems, economy, environment, or other areas as they relate to sustainable transportation, mobility, and electric vehicles.  

Eligibility

A proposal must involve a team of participants that includes at least one representative from each of the five collaborating institutions. The funding envelope comprises CAD$50,000 per project, with up to three (3) projects selected for a funding period of 18 months. 

 Timeline  

Associated links:

Please visit the following for detailed program guidelines, letter of intent and the Earth District webpage for more details. Interested faculty should contact researchsupport@trentu.ca for further guidance.