Grant: Collaborative Research and Training Experience

The proposed CREATE Training Program will produce personnel with expertise in Arctic atmospheric science and in the use of state-of-the-art instrumentation and analysis of large data sets. It will take advantage of the unique capabilities of the Polar Environment Atmospheric Research Laboratory (PEARL) located at Eureka, Nunavut in the High Arctic (80N, 86W). PEARL has been established by the Canadian Network for the Detection of Atmospheric Change (CANDAC), which is dedicated to addressing issues related to air quality, ozone and climate change. The facility is home to more than 25 instruments that are being used to make comprehensive measurements of the atmosphere from the ground to 100 km. The students supported under this Program will benefit from the significant investment (more than $20M) that Canada has made in PEARL; they will have access to a world-class facility, unique data sets, and a large team of researchers with a breadth of expertise. The research and training activities of the Program are directly relevant to two of the Federal Government's priority areas: environmental science and technology, and natural resources and energy [subpriority Arctic (resource production, climate change adaptation, monitoring)].The Training Program includes formal and informal supervision, an Exchange Program, an Annual Summer School, an Annual Research Symposium, an Undergraduate Summer Internship Program, a Co-operative Education Program, and an Industrial Partnership Program. The ultimate goal of the Training Program is to significantly enhance the educational opportunities available to young researchers interested in polar, atmospheric, and climate sciences, enabling them to build collaborations and networks, and to develop research, technical, communications, and organizational skills. Such skills will make them excellent candidates for employment in academic, government, and industrial positions in environmental science and policy. These skills are readily transferable to other areas, and will thus increase Canada's competitive ability.