Congratulations to our 2025/2026 funding recipients!
Thank you for advancing research that supports economic growth and productivity in Nova Scotia’s three priority sectors: natural resources, climate change and clean energy; life sciences and health sciences; and construction and transportation.
Ear to the Ground (E2G) Research Investments
| Project Title: Multi-Modal Imaging Techniques to Enable Drug Development Lead: Dr. Kim Brewer Institution: IWK Health Centre RNS Funding Contribution: $373,383 Total Project Value: $545,883 Funding Partners: Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI), Avanda Biolabs, Mitacs, Lytos Therapeutics (ClearDynamic), Synergy Oncology, and Cubresa Project Description: Dr. Brewer and her team are developing imaging tools that allow researchers to simultaneously track multiple biological indicators during drug development. These tools will reduce the failure rates of clinical trials and enable companies to more efficiently develop drugs and biomaterials that address unmet health needs. |
| Project Title: Advanced Alkalinity Measurement for Validation of Marine Carbon Dioxide Removal Lead: Dr. Natalya Evans Institution: Dalhousie University RNS Funding Contribution: $108,000 Total Project Value: $262,874 Funding Partners: Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) and CarbonRun Project Description: Dr. Evans’ work will increase Nova Scotia’s capacity for marine carbon dioxide removal (mCDR) with new tools and methodologies to measure organic alkalinity. This data will help local companies in developing climate change mitigation technologies and contribute to new ocean knowledge in Nova Scotia. |
| Project Title: Exploring Sustainable Food Ingredients Innovation From Nova Scotia Fruits and Their Processing By-Products Lead: Dr. H.P. Vasantha Rupasinghe Institution: Dalhousie University RNS Funding Contribution: $300,000 Total Project Value: $380,000 Funding Partners: Atlantic Haskap, Altheda Wellness Innovation Inc., Stirling Fruit Farms, Perennia Food and Beverage Innovation Centre, and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada Project Description: This industry-led project is developing new processing and preservation methods to create high-value, health-promoting food ingredients. The goals include reducing waste and promoting farm-level profitability. |
| Project Title: Nova Scotia-Focused Refractory Plasmonic Platforms for Solar Hydrogen and Critical Mineral Recovery Lead: Dr.Mita Dasog Institution: Dalhousie University RNS Funding Contribution: $303,564 Total Project Value: $1,144,070 Funding Partners: Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI), Ocean Frontier Institute (OFI), and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada Project Description: Dr. Dasog is developing refractory plasmonic nanomaterials to enable solar-driven hydrogen production, mineral processing, and water management at lower costs and higher durability than conventional methods. These solar technologies allow for more accessible implementation and immediate economic impact, supporting Nova Scotia’s clean energy objectives. |
| Project Title: Particle Dynamics and Dissolution in the Ocean with Applications to Marine Carbon Dioxide Removal Lead: Dr.Jiankang Yang Institution: Dalhousie University RNS Funding Contribution: $118,000 Total Project Value: $1,165,833 Funding Partners: Ocean Frontier Institute, pHathom Technologies, Mitacs, Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI), Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, Sinkco Labs, Planetary Technologies, and Vesta Project Description: Dr. Yang and his partners are developing tools that track the particle transport and dissolution patterns of marine carbon dioxide removal (mCDR) processes. These tools facilitate safe deployment and scaling of mCDR technologies, advancing Nova Scotia’s progress in climate change mitigation. |
| Project Title: Biofouling Image Analysis Tools to Support Development and Management of Low-Toxicity Antifouling Coatings Lead: Dr. Russell Wyeth Institution: St. Francis Xavier University RNS Funding Contribution: $168,500 Total Project Value: $318,500 Funding Partners: GIT Coatings Inc., and Mitacs Project Description: Biofouling—the unwanted buildup of marine organisms on surfaces in the water—is a costly issue for the marine transportation industry. This project is creating AI-based analytical tools to more accurately measure biofouling on the hulls of vessels and to develop low toxicity coatings that prevent buildup. |
| Project Title: Unlocking Next-Level Scalability for OAE – Investigating Key Knowledge Gaps Toward Robust Monitoring, Reporting and Verification Lead: Dr. Will Burt Institution: Planetary Technologies Inc. RNS Funding Contribution: $260,682 Total Project Value: $390,682 Funding Partners: Research Excellence Fund Transforming Climate Action (TCA), Dalhousie University and Memorial University of Newfoundland (Algar & Poduska Labs) Project Description: This research is examining the potential for ocean liming, a method of marine carbon dioxide removal that uses more prevalent minerals than traditional Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement (OAE) approaches. Research in ocean liming increases the capacity for carbon removal as a tool to combat climate change, whilst understanding the risks of carbonate precipitation and sediment accumulation. |
| Project Title: An Endoscopic, 3D Intrasurgical Ultrasound Imaging System for Arthroscopic Surgery Lead: Dr. Robert Adamson Institution: Nova Scotia Health RNS Funding Contribution: $499,999 Total Project Value: $681,999 Funding Partners: Arthrosonics Inc., and Daxsonics Ultrasound Inc. Project Description: This research centres on the development of miniaturized endoscopic ultrasound imaging systems that provide three-dimensional imaging guidance during arthroscopic surgeries, replacing rigid, two-dimensional surface view cameras. These systems have the potential to reduce the learning curve for complex procedures, which in turn will improve surgical outcomes and reduce wait times. |
Focused Research Investments
| Project Title: Bridging the Engineering Scale Up Challenge of Natural Polymer Isolation and Purification Lead: Matt Mason Institution: The Verschuren Centre RNS Funding Contribution: $958,000 Total Project Value: $1,233,000 Funding Partners: Verschuren Centre, Lite 1, Ardra, Bloomage Bio, Retrn Bio, and University of Toronto Biozone Project Description: Scale up challenges are impeding the growth of the province’s biomanufacturing sector. This research aims to develop separation and purification processes to allow companies to scale from lab to industrial manufacturing reliably and efficiently, which will enable the Verschuren Centre and its sister facility, Neptune Bioinnovation Centre, to support industry, attract investment, and enhance competitiveness. |
| Project Title: One Health Through Applied Tick and Vector Research Leads: Dr. Nicoletta Faraone, Dr. Laura Ferguson, Dr. N. Kirk Hillier Institution: Acadia University RNS Funding Contribution: $1,190,810 Total Project Value: $2,755,820 Funding Partners: Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, Merck Canada, Nova Scotia Health & Wellness, philanthropic donations. Project Description: Tick-borne diseases are an increasing concern in Nova Scotia, with growing impacts on human, animal, and plant health. This FRI will strengthen the ability to monitor, predict, and respond to these emerging threats. The creation of the Canadian Tick Research & Innovation Centre at Acadia University will bring together researchers, public health organizations, industry partners, and government agencies to improve surveillance, strengthen testing capacity, and develop tools that support earlier detection and more effective responses to disease risks. |