The Office of Research Services is now accepting applications for Brock University’s Indigenous Research Grant (IRG).

The grant, valued up to $7,500, is earmarked for faculty and librarians to undertake research or creative activities in any discipline and on any topic that relates to Indigenous Peoples. The deadline for ORS to receive applications is Wednesday, March 15.

Examples of topics could include:

• Social innovation related to Indigenous issues.
• Knowledge-based practices in the development of Indigenous curriculum.
• Understanding of health service utilization by Indigenous Peoples, specifically focused on health services for Brock’s Indigenous students.
• Factors influencing recruitment and retention of Indigenous students.
• Governance and leadership in Indigenous communities.
• Knowledge-based practices for volunteerism with Indigenous Peoples.
• Indigenous health practices and promotion.
• Indigenous language revitalization.
• Addressing violence against Indigenous Peoples.
• Indigenous community-driven research agendas.

While preference will be given to research that is led by or involves partnership with First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples, proposals for research involving Indigenous Peoples globally are welcome, says Vice-President, Research Tim Kenyon.

“The grant, and the scholarship arising from it, supports Brock’s strategic priorities of building research capacity and creating a culture of reconciliation and decolonization,” he says. “In this environment, research is invested in core principles of respect, reciprocity, relevance, ethical relationship building and community engagement.”

The IRG was created three years ago by the Office of the Vice-President, Research and the Office of the Vice-Provost, Indigenous Engagement.

“The IRG provides invaluable financial support for Indigenous researchers and those doing Indigenous-centred research, the impact of which is equally invaluable contributions to the lives of Indigenous Peoples on Turtle Island,” says Vice-Provost, Indigenous Engagement Robyn Bourgeois.

In addition to supporting Indigenous researchers and Indigenous-focused research at Brock, the IRG is meant to provide a foundation for the development of external grant submissions and enable researchers to hire students, with preference for those who self-identify as First Nations, Inuit, Métis, and/or another Indigenous group.

So far, eight researchers have received IRGs, including research on Indigenous plants on the Laura Secord Trail and the naming of Brock’s Spirit Bear.

Full details of the IRG and application documents can be found on the Indigenous Research Grant SharePoint page (login required).

For any questions, please contact Acting Manager of Sponsored Research and Internal Programs, Jasmine Little, at jlittle3@brocku.ca 

Additionally, if you wish to submit your application for a completeness review (to ensure application meets submission/eligibility requirements), please do so by emailing jlittle3@brocku.ca by Wednesday, March 1.