Wabanaki-Labrador Indigenous Health Research (WLN) Funding Programs
The Wabanaki-Labrador Indigenous Health Research Network (WLN) is one of nine networks across Canada funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) through their Network Environments for Indigenous Health Research (NEIHR) Program. The WLN supports community-led health research that addresses the specific health needs of Wabanaki-Labrador Indigenous communities and aims to improve the health of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples. By putting funds in the hands of Indigenous Communities, Collectives and Organizations (ICCOs), we hope to support the robust research community in the Wabanaki-Labrador region.
The Wabanaki-Labrador Indigenous Health Research Program aims to 1) Enhance capacity for undertaking meaningful, relevant, and respectful Indigenous health research in the region; and 2) Shift the balance of power in the research relationship from academic institutions to Indigenous communities in the region. The overall goal of this funding program is to build Indigenous-led health research capacity across the Wabanaki-Labrador region. The 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.
The Wabanaki-Labrador Indigenous Health Research Network is generously supported by
Application Process Overview
Before you apply:
NEW: Please indicate your intent to apply by emailing wln@dal.ca, and let us know which funding call you are applying to, the lead applicant’s name and the host institution. We will follow up with submission details.
Attend one information webinar. The WLN will offer informational webinars that will describe the funding opportunity in detail and answer your questions about it. See individual funding calls (below) for details.
There will be an upcoming information webinar (virtual) on Updated: December 06th, 2024 at 12:00 PM Atlantic, as part of our Lunch ‘n Learn series and on January 10th, 2025 at 12:00 PM Atlantic. Please e-mail wln@dal.ca to receive the Zoom link!
Book an Expression of Interest meeting. An Expression of Interest meeting is an opportunity to give a short presentation of your team’s research plan to the WLN Core Team. This meeting will not, in any way, affect the evaluation of your submission, but provide the WLN an opportunity to understand the needs of the research team and offer ideas to strengthen the application as needed (optional).
What to include in the application: Each funding opportunity has specific requirements that are unique to the competition. Please read instructions carefully for each funding call. 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.
Funding Call Opportunities Now Open!
*This is a special funding opportunity made possible through a partnership with the Dalhousie Medical Research Development Office (MRDO).
Conditions of Funding
Successful applicants of any of the WLN funding programs must agree to the following:
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.
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).
Transfer of Funds: A Dalhousie University Transfer of Funds Agreement must be signed. (If you are interested in seeing a draft Dalhousie Transfer of Funds Agreement, please contact us directly at wln@dal.ca).
Reporting: You will be required to submit a) a final report for a one-year project; or b) an annual report for each year of a multi-year project, and an end of project report. Report templates will be provided to you once you receive funding.
Certifications: The funded research team must ensure all necessary certifications are in place for research conducted, as applicable before funds are released (e.g., TCPS2 Chapter 9, OCAPTM training, Ethics, Regional Research Licencing, Biohazards, Animal Care, Biosafety Certification, Environmental Impact Assessment, Laser Registration Certificate, Radiation Safety (Nuclear & X-Ray), Cannabis License (from Health Canada).
Acknowledgements: Funded teams must acknowledge the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and the Wabanaki-Labrador Indigenous Health Research Network (WLN) support in all verbal and written correspondence related to their workshop. For guidelines and CIHR policies go here.
*Note: funds cannot be released unless the community/organization has provided proof that research funds can be held.
Use and Disclosure of Information
The WLN may publish the names of the ICCO’s, the nominated team lead and team members as well as general award information on its website or other communication materials. For more information, please contact wln@dal.ca.
Budget Information (Use of Funds)
Allowable Expenses (essential expenditures that would not have been incurred had the project not been undertaken)
Salaries: (full- or part-time) based at an ICCO, as long as they do not also have a paid academic appointment at a Canadian post-secondary institution;
Contracts and/or consultant fees: fees for training and capacity building activities for Indigenous Elders, community members, and other Traditional Knowledge Keepers involved in activities related to the Co-Learning workshop being proposed;
Venue costs: Audio/visual, translation, interpretation, space rental, catering;
Travel and accommodations: participants and travel companions (when required);
Care costs: dependent care expenses associated with dependents or nursing parents;
Communication material costs: advertising, flyers, printing, needs, etc.;
Culturally relevant items (for honouring participants and partners): These may include but are not limited to traditional medicines, sealskin, cloth, sculpture/art, feasting, and cash reimbursements;
Translation and/or interpretation services: translation of text, documents, materials, simultaneous language interpretation;
Honoraria payments to individuals as a thank you for providing time, knowledge, etc. (i.e., opening/closing prayers, speeches, sharing teachings, mentorship, etc.).
Ineligible Expenses (Costs that are not directly related to the coordination of a workshop)
Office rental;
Monthly telephone rental;
Internet;
Dalhousie 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 release.
For more information and a fillable budget template, see this Word file.