The Canadian Foundation for Climate and Atmospheric Sciences

The Canadian Foundation for Climate and Atmospheric Sciences (CFCAS) is the main funding body for university-based research on climate, atmospheric and related oceanic work in Canada. It was established in 2000 as an autonomous Foundation, and in 2001 attained charitable status. In 2009, its mandate was extended from March 2011 to March 2012.

As of December, 2009, the Foundation had invested over $117 million in university-based research related to climate and atmospheric sciences, in 24 collaborative networks, 2 major initiatives, and 158 projects. Several of the networks are linked to international research programs; all involved multiple partners. Complementary (leveraged) support for networks has doubled the resources available to them. The Foundation has also hosted or co-hosted a number of workshops and symposia on topics such as extreme weather and Arctic climate, and provides support to international project offices.

CFCAS Vision

CFCAS enhances Canada's scientific capacity by funding the generation and dissemination of knowledge in areas of national importance and policy relevance, through focused support for excellent university-based research in climate and atmospheric sciences.

Research interests and Foundation operations

CFCAS supports efforts to:

• Understand our climate system, high-impact weather, air quality and ocean-atmosphere interactions;

• Improve weather predictions;

• Generate skilled human resources;

• Provide scientific information to support federal policymaking and service delivery.

CFCAS research grants indirectly promote:

• Job creation and the retention of skilled researchers;

• Economic growth and sustainable development;

• Technological innovation for weather and other environment industries;

• Weather security and human health issues.
   

CFCAS is differentiated from other funding bodies by its targeting of support (e. g. to strategic themes), its ability to respond to national needs or scientific imperatives, and its partnerships. CFCAS-funded work provides new knowledge to policymakers, weather forecasters, businesses and governments. CFCAS also facilitates progress on international environmental commitments.

Current Developments

CFCAS is currently preparing a report to Canadians on the science of climate change. It continues to support projects as well as major group and networked initiatives, stimulate research in priority areas, foster work on the impacts of our changing climate and encourage multidisciplinary research.

CFCAS-funded research is increasing Canada's intellectual resources in climate and atmospheric sciences through training and retention of researchers, helping generate and disseminate relevant new knowledge, increasing the transfer of scientific findings to stakeholders and raising Canada's scientific profile internationally. Benefits include better information to support policy development, improved operational forecasting, better adaptation to climate changes and more effective management of climate-related risks.

Structure

The Foundation is managed by a Board of Directors drawn from all sectors and regions of Canada. It has a Secretariat based in Ottawa and six full-time staff.

Incorporation

The Fund