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Community-Led Research Program
The Community-Led Research Program is designed to support community‑led initiatives that build respectful, reciprocal relationships between Indigenous and Indigenous‑linked communities and the four Transforming Climate Action (TCA) partner institutions: Dalhousie University, Université du Québec à Rimouski, Université Laval, and Memorial University.
The program aims to strengthen collaboration around the people‑ocean‑climate nexus by recognizing Indigenous communities as research leaders. Funding is offered through two tiers, with Tier 1 focused on initiating and developing early‑stage research relationships.
Tier 2 is expected to launch in Spring 2026.
Prospective applicants must connect with the designated institutional contact prior to applying.
Each Tier 1 project proposed under the Community-Led Research Program must include a partnership with one or more TCA partner institutions (Dalhousie University, Université du Québec à Rimouski, Université Laval, and Memorial University) or units.
The Selection Committee will use the following criteria to assess Tier 1 applications:
Community Leadership and Priority Alignment
Relationship-Building Plan
Partnership Structure
Feasibility and Resources
Tier 1 funding is intended to establish new or nurture early-stage relationships between Indigenous or Indigenous-linked communities and TCA universities.
Suggested activities include, but are not limited to:
All expenses must be eligible under the CFREF Administration Guide and align with institutional policies. Awards are not eligible for overhead.
Applications should be submitted directly to the institutional contact for the Community-Led Research Program. Applicants for projects involving multiple TCA partner institutions only need to contact and submit one application to the institution where the lead partner or co-applicant is based.
Tier 1:
Prospective applicants must connect with the designated institutional contact prior to applying.
The following information must be compiled and sent as one PDF document to the institution’s designated contact:
TCA partner institutions are committed to fostering a collegial culture grounded in respectful engagement and balanced representation. We encourage applications from Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, racialized individuals, Black individuals, women, members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, including trans and non-binary individuals. Applicants from underrepresented groups are encouraged to self-identify in their application.
This call for submissions will remain open until all funds have been allocated.
Tier 1 applications will be evaluated and decisions rendered jointly by the scientific and executive departments of the TCA program at each partner institution.
You will be required to submit a short report at the end of the grant period to describe how funds were spent. The information will be sent to you before the project deadline. This report can be submitted in various formats (written reports, oral or video presentations, artwork or creative work, publications, etc.).
In order to transfer funds to the community, a collaborative agreement will be developed jointly by both parties to agree on the terms and conditions surrounding the funding.
The current program recognizes the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) guidelines on research, ethics, and conflicts of interest, which aim to protect the integrity, intellectual property, and strategic governance of First Nations. These standards require informed consent, respect for traditional knowledge, transparency about funding sources, and rigorous management of data and conflicts of interest to ensure ethical and responsible research.
For further information please contact:
Dalhousie University operates in the unceded territories of the Mi’kmaw, Wolastoqey, and Peskotomuhkati Peoples. These sovereign nations hold inherent rights as the original peoples of these lands, and we each carry collective obligations under the Peace and Friendship Treaties. Section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982 recognizes and affirms Aboriginal and Treaty rights in Canada.
We acknowledge that the lands on which Memorial University’s campuses are situated are in the traditional territories of diverse Indigenous groups, and we acknowledge with respect the diverse histories and cultures of the Beothuk, Mi’kmaq, Innu, and Inuit of this province.
