Applications are now being accepted for Brock University’s Indigenous Research Grant (IRG), which provides funding to either Indigenous researchers or those undertaking research or creative activities in any discipline or topic that relates to Indigenous Peoples.

To provide more information about the grant, Brock’s Vice-Provost, Indigenous Engagement Robyn Bourgeois and the Office of Research Services will be hosting an online event Wednesday, June 21 from 1:30 to 3 p.m.

Presentations from past recipients include:

• Assistant Professor of Nursing Connie Schumacher, “Defining a Good Life: A Community Partnership to Develop Health Research Priorities”
• Associate Professor of Nursing Sheila O’Keefe-McCarthy and Research Assistant and PhD student Michelle Bomberry, “The Early Warning Signs of Heart Disease: An Indigenous Research Creation”
• Associate Professor of Earth Sciences Kevin Turner, “The sky is the limit for community monitoring of climate change impacts in Old Crow, Yukon”

“As these presentations demonstrate, the IRG is supporting innovative research with meaningful outcomes for Indigenous communities,” says Bourgeois.

The two-year, $7,500 grant supports work that “demonstrates importance for Indigenous researchers, Indigenous research or Indigenous communities,” says Brock Vice-President, Research Tim Kenyon.

“These research, scholarship and creative activities support Indigenous knowledge, enhance recruitment and learning strategies for Indigenous students, and support decolonization and reconciliation across the University — core elements of Brock University’s Institutional Strategic Plan,” he says.

The Indigenous Research Grant aims to advance:

• Research programs for Indigenous researchers as well as Indigenous-focused research at Brock University.
• Interest and expertise in Indigenous research areas.
• Research that is invested in core principles of respect, reciprocity, relevance, ethical
  relationship building, and community engagement.
• Small-scale innovative research or creative projects that will provide a foundation for the
  development of external grant submissions.
• Students at any level to participate in their project, with preference toward students who self-identify as First Nations, Inuit, Métis, and/or another Indigenous group.
• Research capacity within and beyond Brock including collaboration across disciplines
  on transdisciplinary topics.

The 2023-24 competition involves three adjudications: applications submitted by Sept. 15 will be considered for Round 1, by Jan. 15 for Round 2 and by March 15 for Round 3.

Applications received after March 15 date will be considered for the 2024–25
competition.

The Indigenous Research Grant supports a wide range of topics, with past recipients pursuing research in the areas of affordable housing, climate change impacts in Old Crow, heart health, decolonization in education, and Indigenous plants in Niagara, among many other subjects.

The grant was created in 2021 by the Office of the Vice-President, Research and the Office of the Vice-Provost, Indigenous Engagement.

Full details of the Indigenous Research Grant and application documents can be found on the Indigenous Research Grant SharePoint page (login required). For questions, contact Acting Manager of Sponsored Research and Internal Programs, Jasmine Little, at jlittle3@brocku.ca

Anyone wishing to submit an application for a completeness review (to ensure application meets submission/eligibility requirements) should send their documents to ors-submissions@brocku.ca at least two weeks ahead of their planned submission date.