The Institute for Biodiversity, Ecosystem Science, and Sustainability (IBES) was created to address the need for a more science-based culture, and to provide support for an enhanced knowledge-based decision making process within provincial government programs. Established in 2002-03, IBES represents a formal partnership between the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador and Memorial University, directed through the Sustainable Development and Strategic Science Branch of the Department of Environment and Conservation (DOEC). This relationship strives to ensure that questions and issues of importance to the Province become a focus of highly applied academic research through a systematic and pro-active process of priority setting and collaboration. Academic links are not limited to Memorial University; IBES seeks out leaders in various research fields from universities nationally and internationally. The mandate of IBES is to direct a coordinated science program through graduate student research, expert reviews, and synthesis programs on questions of priority to the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador.
IBES presents a unique opportunity for government departments and agencies to collaborate with the academic community on questions of mutual interest and importance. IBES coordinates the establishment of the collaborative partnership that drives the science effort by ensuring that all partners are involved in project scoping and thrust, are provided with regular, timely updates on progress, and are given the opportunity to have meaningful input as the project progresses. This ensures that project results are most useful to project partners for inclusion in subsequent policy development and decision making processes. These partnerships can also extend to industry and non-governmental organizations. This distinctive role is enhanced by IBES’ ability to offer financial support for both student stipends and field efforts, and access to additional resources within universities and the broader research community. Such dedicated expertise, ability, and flexibility define a unique and exciting public-academic partnership.
IBES assists with research in the broad areas of natural resource conservation, management and sustainability. Specifically:
Given the breadth of IBES research areas and specialties within each area, it is impossible for IBES to effectively deliver on a systematic and proactive program without strong and strategic partnerships. This view is reinforced by the very high costs associated with research projects. The range of partnerships developed by IBES includes provincial government departments and divisions, federal government agencies, academic institutions, and industry.
Memorial University of Newfoundland
Lakehead University
Laurentian University
Nova Scotia Agriculture College
Trent University
University of New Brunswick
University of Hull
University of Guelph
City University
Cornell University
Dresden University of Technology
University of Bonn
University of East Anglia
University of Idaho
University of Massachusetts
University of York
University of Montana
Department of Fisheries & Aquaculture
Department of Natural Resources
Department of Tourism, Culture & Recreation
Department of Environment & Conservation
Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO)
Natural Resources Canada, Canadian Forestry Service
Parks Canada
Canadian Firearm Safety
MITACS
Fish Food and Allied Workers
Safari Club International
Kruger Inc.
Federation of Agriculture
Newfoundland Aquaculture Industry Association
National Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC)
Innu Nation
Miawpukek First Nation
European Space Agency
Western School District
Model Forest of Newfoundland & Labrador
IBES Staff
IBES staff are employed by the Government of Newfoundland & Labrador under the Department of Environment and Conservation’s Sustainable Development & Strategic Science Branch. IBES has offices and staff in both Corner Brook and St. John’s, associated with both campuses of Memorial University of Newfoundland - Atlantic Canada’s largest University. IBES is headquartered at Grenfell Campus, Memorial’s West Coast campus. Having offices associated with both campuses allows IBES to take full advantage of Memorial’s academic expertise.
Timelines
PCN Submission Deadline
Project concept notes (PCN) are accepted year round. Submission deadlines for bi-annual review fall on April 15th and October 15th. The depth of information required by IBES to accurately assess the project concept for funding consideration is reflected the sample PCN found below.
Bi-annual Review Process
Project Concept Notes (PCNs) are reviewed by Departmental Executive and are chosen on the basis of available funding, Provincial Government Department Support, and specific research areas of priority within Government. All project submissions must fall within one of the 8 core study areas as identified in the Research Areas tab and have a strong linkage to the Sustainable Development initiative in Newfoundland and Labrador.
PCN - Rob
Contact Information/Mailing Address:
CORNER BROOK OFFICE:
Institute for Biodiversity, Ecosystem Science and Sustainability (IBES)
Department of Environment & Conservation
Sustainable Development & Strategic Science Branch
c/o Sir Wilfred Grenfell College, University Drive
Corner Brook, NL CANADA A2H 6P9
ST. JOHN’S REGIONAL OFFICE:
Institute for Biodiversity, Ecosystem Science and Sustainability (IBES)
Department of Environment & Conservation
Sustainable Development & Strategic Science Branch
2 Canada Drive, St. John’s, NL A1B 4J6
Contacts:
When is the PCN submission deadline?
What type of support does IBES provide?
What are the major research areas?
How indepth does the PCN have to be?
Where does IBES sit within government?
Who should submit a PCN?
When is the PCN submission deadline?
Project concept notes (PCN) are accepted year round. Submission deadlines for bi-annual review fall on April 15th and October 15th.
What type of support does IBES provide?
IBES provides support in the way of a graduate student grant/fellowship intended to assist graduate students with living expenses and other costs incurred while enrolled in a graduate level degree program. In most cases IBES will provide 2 years of support for a Masters candidate and 4 years of support for a Doctoral candidate. IBES also supports honours students and post-doctoral fellows. Financial amounts are normally aligned with graduate fellowship requirements as per respective university partners. IBES does not directly cover field expenses but rather relies on other government partners to provide assistance. IBES can also assist with the leveraging of funds from other external agencies.
What are the major research areas?
IBES assists with research in the broad areas of natural resource conservation, management and sustainability. Specifically:
How indepth does the PCN have to be?
PCNs should provide adequate detail to allow for a thorough review of the study concept. Please note that the PCN should clearly outline how the research is related to one of the study areas named above as well as how the research is relevant to the Province of Newfoundland & Labrador. Please refer to the PCN example provided under the Application Process tab.
Where does IBES sit within government?
IBES is directed through the Sustainable Development and Strategic Science Branch of the Department of Environment and Conservation (DOEC).
IBES supports the research needs of the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. All IBES supported projects must have a Government of Newfoundland and Labrador representative active in the scoping and direction of the project.