2023 Indigenous Health Research Seed Fund

Competition Closed  

The WLN is announcing a call for applications for the 2023 Indigenous Health Research Seed Fund.  

Description:

The WLN Indigenous Health Research Seed fund will support research projects geared toward short-term, targeted research and capacity-building and co-learning activities in the Wabanaki-Labrador region. The ICCO will direct, lead, and independently oversee the research project from design to dissemination. This funding call is an opportunity for research teams to examine a priority issue (or issues) that holds relevance to the ICCO; to enable ICCOs to generate preliminary observations, data or knowledge that is necessary to pursue longer-term research funding; and to create collaboration between ICCOs in the Wabanaki-Labrador region.   

Objectives:

The WLN Indigenous Health Research Seed Fund is meant to offer short term supports to any Indigenous Community, Collective or Organization (ICCO) in the Atlantic region with potentially impactful health research ideas that require skills-based and financial resources to reach their full potential. All research projects should produce a final summary report and at least one knowledge-sharing output (video, blog, webinar, podcast, a conference presentation or peer reviewed publication, or community event, for example). These outputs will be shared across the Wabanaki-Labrador region, (defined by the WLN as including New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Nova Scotia) and beyond. 

The overall goal of this funding is to build Indigenous-led health research capacity across the Wabanaki-Labrador region. Specific objectives of this funding program are to: 

  • Support Indigenous communities in addressing their health research priorities. 

  • Generate research that supports improvements to individual and community health and wellbeing. 

  • Advance self-determination in research and research oversight.  

  • Support research governance and data sovereignty.  

  • Support research training within Indigenous communities. 

  • Integrate roles for Elders/Traditional Knowledge Keepers and Youth to work together. 

  • Integrate sex and gender components into the research program. 

Funds Available for this Opportunity:

The maximum amount per Indigenous Health Seed Research Fund that can be requested is $50,000 for one year. There are eight (8) available awards in this competition. These will be allocated as follows Newfoundland and Labrador (2); New Brunswick (2); Prince Edward Island (2); Nova Scotia (2). Funding is non-renewable.   

Eligibility:

  1. WLN Membership: To be eligible to apply for funding all members for your research team must register to become a member with the WLN. By joining the WLN you agree to receive our e-digest, email communications, and invitations to participate in WLN activities. Please register here.

  2. NEW Eligibility to hold WLN Funds: Funds for WLN calls can be held by a Not-for Profit Indigenous community, collaborative or organization (ICCO), so long as it has an explicit health research or Knowledge Translation mandate and is in the Wabanaki-Labrador region (NS, NB, NFLD and Labrador, and PEI).

  3. The ICCO must be located in the Wabanaki-Labrador region, which is defined as including New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Nova Scotia. 

  4. Funded groups may need to demonstrate the ability to administer funds (example: financial reporting).  We will work with all funded groups to offer support where needed. 

  5. CIHR policy indicates that the team lead is not permitted to use the project funds for their own salary unless they apply for a work time release1.  

  6. The application must include roles for youth and Elders or Traditional Knowledge Keepers (as your community defines it).  

What to Include in the Application:

  1. Application form - updated November 28th 2023

  2. Project narrative: A five (5) page description of your proposed project. Please see guiding questions and instructions. 

  3. Budget template and justification: A budget template is provided for your use. This allows you to itemize and justify eligible expenses. The total funds requested must not exceed $50,000 over the 1-year funding period. The budget may include additional expenses that will be covered by other sources. WLN will not support any expenses incurred outside the agreed funding period.  More details on eligible and ineligible expenses can be found on the main funding page here.

  4. Timeline: provide an outline of your proposed timeline with key milestones in the planning process pre and post event. A template is provided for guidance.  

  5. Strategic priorities: Applicants need to include a description of their organization’s strategic priorities. This document must include a description of how the organization meets the eligibility requirement of being an ICCO with a research or knowledge translation mandate; justification about why the organization is well suited for this funding.  

  6. Release Time Letter, if needed. Note: Tri-agency policy indicates that the principal applicant is not permitted to use the project funds for their own salary. 

  7. Appendix A (Applicant profile, resumé, or CV template: Please complete the Applicant Profile (maximum 5 pages) OR submit a resumé or CV (5-pages maximum) for each team member listed on the application. Please ensure that the information included demonstrates skills, experience and expertise that is directly related to the proposed project.

  8. Appendix B (Letters of support): Letters of support demonstrate partnerships that are needed or in place to undertake the proposed activities. Please provide relevant letters of support from partners to demonstrate the role of the partners in relation to the activities proposed. The letters should also include any contributions that your potential partners and/or collaborators will make to your workshop (actual or in kind).    

  9. References cited: Please include references for all literature and sources you have cited in your proposal. A bibliography or reference list should be in a separate word document. There is no limit to the number of references that can be used. *If there are any articles or literature you need and do not have access to, reach out and the WLN may be able to help you. 

The WLN core team will be available to offer support and answer questions as you prepare your application. Please contact us anytime at wln@dal.ca