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 funding aims to strengthen and harness this relationship to carry out research activities focused on community-identified priorities that broadly align with the overall TCA scientific strategy. Tier 2 initiatives are expected to be large, multi-year projects. Application requirements for Tier 2 funding differ between the TCA partner institutions.

Prospective applicants must connect with the designated institutional contact prior to applying.

Eligibility

Each project proposed under the Community-Led Research Program must include a partnership with one or more TCA partner institutions or units.

• For Tier 1, members of communities may apply as primary applicants, with priority given to those affiliated with Indigenous or Indigenous-linked communities.
• Projects that involve collaboration between multiple communities and TCA institutions are strongly encouraged.

Funding and duration

• Tier 1 funding is intended for projects to be undertaken and completed within a 12-month time frame.
• Tier 1 offers awards of up to $25,000 per project at Université du Québec à Rimouski, Université Laval, and Memorial University and up to $50,000 per project at Dalhousie University.
  
  • For projects involving multiple communities and institutions, the award amount may vary.
  • Applicants must consult with each institution’s designated contact about budget.

Selection criteria

The Selection Committee will use the following criteria to assess Tier 1 applications:

• Community Leadership and Priority Alignment
  
  • Does the proposal clearly reflect priorities identified by the community?
  • Is the project led by community members?
• Relationship-Building Plan
  
  • Are activities designed to foster trust and reciprocity?
  • Does the plan respect Indigenous protocols and knowledge systems?
• Partnership Structure
  
  • Is there a plan in place for managing funds at one of the four TCA partner institutions?
  • Are roles and responsibilities clearly defined?
• Feasibility and Resources
  
  • Is the timeline realistic for a one-year project?
  • Is the budget appropriate and justified?

Eligible expenses

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:

• Travel
• Events (meetings, workshops, or similar) and related expenses
• Building relationships and preliminary research connections
• Honoraria

All expenses must be eligible under the CFREF Administration Guide and align with institutional policies. Awards are not eligible for overhead.

How to apply

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:

• Applicant information (e.g., name, title, affiliation, address, phone, email)
  
  • Include all partner or co-applicant information
• Title and summary of proposed project, including:
  
  • Project name
  • Names, contact information, and roles/responsibilities of team members (e.g., collaborators, community partners, students)
  • Objectives and an explanation of how the project supports relationship-building between Indigenous or Indigenous-linked communities and TCA researchers and priorities (about 500 words)
  • Description of expected outcomes, their significance, and how these outcomes will be achieved (about 200 words)
  • Project timelines (e.g., start date, end date, expected milestones)
• Proposed budget, including:
  
  • General categories of expenses
  • Brief justification
  • Information related to leveraged funds and/or in-kind contributions as applicable
• Optional Curriculum Vitae: Applicant’s short bios (could be a multimedia submission, see below)
• Optional multimedia submission: A short video or audio file (up to 5 minutes) or a linked media to complement your proposal with aspects that are better conveyed through spoken or visual storytelling. A letter of support or a video produced by the community may be attached to the application to demonstrate community need and support for the project.
• Additional information at the discretion of the applicant(s)

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.

Application deadlines

This call for submissions will remain open until all funds have been allocated.

Review process

Tier 1 applications will be evaluated and decisions rendered jointly by the scientific and executive departments of the TCA program at each partner institution.

Reporting requirements

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.)

Collaborative Research Agreement

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 conflicts of interest to ensure ethical and responsible research.

Contact

For further information please contact:

• Dalhousie University (OFI): Megan.McLaren@dal.ca
• Université du Québec à Rimouski: Marie-Michelle_Dugas@uqar.ca
• Université Laval: Marie-Helene.forget@takuvik.ulaval.ca
• Memorial University: IndigenousResearch@mun.ca

Please contact the institutional representative before preparing and submitting your application. Tier 2 funding processes, requirements, eligibility, and available funding differ between TCA institutions. An initial conversation will help us determine whether this opportunity is a good fit for your proposed initiative and identify any institutional requirements that apply to your application. We are happy to discuss your idea at an early stage and provide guidance as you develop your proposal. You do not need to have a fully developed proposal before contacting us.

Amount and duration of funding available

Eligibility

• Each project proposed under the Community-Led Research Program must include a partnership between an Indigenous or Indigenous-linked community with one or more TCA partner institutions or units.
• Projects that involve collaboration between multiple communities and TCA institutions are strongly encouraged.

Funding and duration

• Tier 2 funding is intended for projects to be undertaken and completed by December 31, 2029.
• The open call for Tier 2 funding offers awards of up to $500,000 per project at Dalhousie University, and up to $300,000 per project at Memorial University.
• For projects involving multiple communities and institutions, the award amount may vary.
• Applicants must consult with each institution’s designated contact about budget.

What types of initiatives can the funding be used to support?

The fund can be used to support a wide range of activities and costs, including (but not limited to):

• Relationship-building, collaboration & project development activities
• Community-based monitoring of marine or coastal environmental change
• Research on fisheries, food security, marine resource management, and climate change adaptation
• Activities exploring cultural and human connections to marine environments, including arts-based methods, oral history and storytelling, and other social sciences  

What types of expenses are eligible?

Funding is subject to CFREF (Canada First Research Excellence Fund) eligibility requirements, including (but not limited to):

• Project staff, student stipends, and honoraria (based in or out of community)
• Small research equipment and related costs (e.g., sampling, processing, etc.)
• Travel for fieldwork, conferences, or collaboration
• Training for project staff, community members, students, or others
• Community workshops, meetings, and other engagement and knowledge-sharing activities

How to apply

• A Proposal Guide is available to support you in preparing your application (French version coming soon!).
  
• Each application should be sent to the institutional contact listed below, and include:
  
  • Application form (French form coming soon!)
  • Proposed budget (French budget coming soon!)
  • Optional but encouraged supporting information:  e.g., CVs of lead applicants, letter of support from community, multimedia submissions to explain the work, and any additional information you feel is relevant for the reviewers

Contact

For further information please contact:

• Dalhousie University (OFI): Megan.McLaren@dal.ca
• Université du Québec à Rimouski: Marie-Michelle_Dugas@uqar.ca
• Université Laval: Marie-Helene.forget@takuvik.ulaval.ca
• Memorial University: IndigenousResearch@mun.ca