The Office of Research Services (ORS) is now accepting applications for the 2024-25 round of Brock University’s Indigenous Research Grant (IRG).

The two-year IRG offers up to $7,500 to Indigenous researchers and those undertaking research or creative activities in any discipline or topic that relates to Indigenous Peoples.

“I really encourage researchers to reach out and take that opportunity because it means that we can do some really critical work that will benefit Indigenous communities,” says Vice-Provost, Indigenous Engagement Robyn Bourgeois.

The IRG 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.

Although the application deadline is rolling, applications are due by Wednesday, Jan. 15 to be considered for Round 1 funding and by Saturday, March 15 for Round 2 funding, with subsequent applications to be considered for the 2025-26 competition.

Applicants wishing to undergo an optional completeness review must send all documents to ors-submissions@brocku.ca at least two weeks ahead of the planned submission date.

Complete details can be found in the Indigenous Research Grant 2024-2025 Program Syllabus.

Questions about IRG can sent to Manager, Sponsored Research and Internal Programs Jasmine Little at jlittle3@brocku.ca, and questions related to equity, diversity and inclusion  (EDI) can be directed to EDI Research Advisor Syna Thakur at sthakur@brocku.ca

The IRG was created in 2021 under Bourgeois’ direction following extensive consultations with the Two Row Council, the Aboriginal Education Council, other Indigenous members of the Brock community and ORS staff.

“Our commitment to Indigenization is at every level and research is part of that,” says Bourgeois. “The IRG actualizes our commitment to reconciliation and decolonization and Indigenization. It really is walking our talk.”

Since its inception, the IRG has funded a wide variety of research projects, including:

• Early Warning Signs of Heart Disease: An Indigenous Research Creation
• The Sky is the Limit for Community Monitoring of Climate Change Impacts in Old Crow, Yukon
• Indigenous Affordable Housing in Niagara
• Decolonizing experiential learning on the Brock University campus: A case study
• Expanding the Circle: Building a Network with Indigenous Peoples with Neurodevelopmental Disabilities

In addition to advancing knowledge and insights, the IRG aims to help researchers develop their research programs and creative activities so they can apply to external granting agencies such as the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research for funding.