Research

OPPORTUNITIES AT CNSC

support

for your subarctic research

The Churchill Northern Studies Centre offers unparalleled research opportunities.

It is the only field station in Canada to offer year-round hospitality and logistical support at the intersection of three distinct eco-zones.

Want to pursue your project with us? Apply now!

Average number of research user days in a typical year
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Why choose the cnsc?

Together, we can understand and sustain the north

A wide array of representative environments
  • Convergence of ecosystems: forest, tundra, taiga, freshwater, estuary, and marine
  • Transition zone where the northern extent of the boreal forest meets the southern edge of the arctic tundra
  • Near the Churchill River where this freshwater river enters the marine ecosystem of Hudson Bay
  • Arctic migratory birds and northern nesting fowl are seen in great numbers each spring
  • The area is home to arctic foxes, caribou, snowy owls, beluga whales, polar bears, and harbour seals
  • Over 500 species of arctic wildflowers and boreal plants grow in this environment
  • The Centre is located inside Manitoba Wildlife Management Area
COMPREHENSIVE SUPPORT FOR YOUR RESEARCH
  • Full-time research personnel
  • Research assistance
  • Contracted research
  • Vehicle rentals
  • Logistical support
  • Wet and dry laboratories
  • Reference collections
  • Bear guarding
STATE-OF-THE-ART FIELD STATION
  • Dormitory-style accommodations
  • Housekeeping services
  • On-site cafeteria
  • Classrooms
  • High-speed wireless internet
  • 360 degree Aurora dome
  • Outdoor observation deck
Accessible north

The Arctic and subarctic are markedly understudied, since harsh environments and remote locations make northern research a daunting, expensive, and often dangerous task. 

The Churchill Northern Studies Centre makes it easier, more affordable, and safer for you to pursue your work.

With laboratory space, equipment, vehicle rentals, accommodations, cafeteria, and storage space all on-site, you can focus on your research and leave the rest to us.

Plus, our full-time science staff are available year-round to help with coordination, logistics, data collection, and equipment monitoring as required. 

All of these services are offered at extremely competitive rates.

Funding Support

The Churchill Northern Studies Centre offers funding support for its research users through the Northern Research Fund (NRF).

The NRF is a matching funds program, meaning the award takes the form of matching user- and vehicle-days for successful applicants to offset the cost of accommodation at the CNSC and research in the north. 

Applications are accepted annually in the winter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter to receive notifications about the NRF.

History of Success

The CNSC has supported the work of over 300 researchers through logistical support and the Northern Research Fund.

CNSC has supported the research for over 500 journal articles and theses have been published in a diverse array of fields.

APPLY NOW

Contract Research

To better help researchers conduct their studies here in Churchill, the CNSC offers a range of contracted research services to their members.

Our science staff can be hired to complete short-term projects, long-term data collection, or equipment maintenance and installation. Our technicians are also available to help with in person research as an extra hand for fieldwork. For more information, email our science department at [email protected].

Whether you must leave Churchill before all your research can be finished, or you simply want to save on pricey travel expenses, our trusted science staff is here to help you complete your studies. Some examples of projects that researchers have asked us to complete in the past include snow depth/melt monitoring, aquatic invertebrate sampling, seal point count observations, and marine shell collecting
Have a project that you want to leave running in Churchill long-term? Whether it's daily, weekly, or monthly tasks, we’re here to help! Some examples of previous long-term projects we have been contracted to complete include green house gas sampling, geomagnetic data collection, and wildlife camera photo retrievals.
Have equipment in Churchill that you would like monitored, cleaned, repaired, or recalibrated? Or do you have scientific instruments that need to be installed in Churchill? We’re here to assist with all your equipment maintenance needs. Examples of previous equipment maintenance projects include cleaning environmental sensors, installing mercury filters, and installing/removing wildlife cameras.
Do you need an extra hand to help you conduct your field work while in Churchill? Reach out to our science staff, we are happy to join you in the field and help with any data collection or physical tasks you may need assistance with.

The staff at the CNSC took me in with open arms, provided me with the resources I needed to make my research successful, and were willing to help me in any way they could.

Jamie D’Souza, polar bear researcher
FEATURED PROJECTS

We’ve selected a few recent projects that we’ve been involved with to brag about some of the smart, passionate people we are so privileged to get to work with.

This is just a tiny sampling of the research we support. If you’d like to explore a broader view of research projects we’ve been a part of, check out Research Projects.

Beluga behaviour
How CNSC supports beluga conservation efforts
LEARN MORE
Churchill Fox Project
A decade's worth of logistical support
LEARN MORE

Request your research space

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More Information

Have more questions about conducting research in Churchill? Click on our researcher FAQ document below, where we provide more information on how to travel to and from Churchill, available lab space and equipment, vehicle rentals, equipment storage and shipment, and bear safety guidelines. 

Churchill Researcher FAQ