Halifax, NS — April 29, 2026 — Research Nova Scotia (RNS) is providing $2.1 million in support for Nova Scotia research projects through its first Ear to the Ground (E2G) competition.
Three of the eight research projects being supported through the E2G competition are focused on using the planet’s marine resources to safely remove CO2 from the atmosphere. RNS CEO Stefan Leslie is attending the international convening of the world’s leading experts in marine carbon dioxide removal, hosted by the Carbon to Sea Initiative, to discuss these projects.
“Through Ear to the Ground, Research Nova Scotia is investing in research that is designed to be used,” said CEO Stefan Leslie. “This work responds to real needs and contributes to growth, productivity and competitiveness in Nova Scotia.”
The E2G projects were selected through a competitive process based on alignment with Research Nova Scotia’s mandate and the research’s potential to deliver economic outcomes for the province. Each funded project involves active participation from partners and end users, with a clear path to application in Nova Scotia, ensuring the research contributes to economic activity.
The additional five projects will be undertaking research in clean energy, life sciences, and marine transportation.
Funded projects include:
- Advanced Alkalinity Measurement for Validation of Marine Carbon Dioxide Removal — Dr. Natalya Evans, Dalhousie University
- Advancing Robust Monitoring, Reporting and Verification for Coastal Carbon Removal Technologies — Dr. Will Burt, Planetary Technologies Inc.
- Particle Dynamics and Dissolution in the Ocean with Applications to Marine Carbon Dioxide Removal — Dr. Jiankang (Adam) Yang, Dalhousie University
- Nova Scotia-Focused Refractory Plasmonic Platforms for Solar Hydrogen and Critical Mineral Recovery — Dr. Mita Dasog, Dalhousie University
- Multi-Modal Imaging Techniques to Enable Drug Development — Dr. Kim Brewer, IWK Health Centre
- Exploring Sustainable Food Ingredients Innovation from Nova Scotia Fruits and their Processing By-Products — Dr. H.P. Vasantha Rupasinghe, Dalhousie University
- An Endoscopic, 3D Intrasurgical Ultrasound Imaging System for Arthroscopic Surgery — Dr. Robert Adamson, Nova Scotia Health
- Biofouling Image Analysis Tools to Support Development and Management of Low-Toxicity Antifouling Coatings — Dr. Russell Wyeth, St. Francis Xavier University
About Research Nova Scotia
Research Nova Scotia supports, organizes, and coordinates the funding of research to increase economic growth and productivity in three priority sectors: (1) natural resources, climate change and clean energy; (2) life sciences and health sciences; and (3) construction and transportation.
Media contact:
Maggie Archibald, Communications Manager
maggie.archibald@researchns.ca