Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

In response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC) Call to Action 65, the Reconciliation Network in Response to Call to Action 65 is a joint initiative between the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR) and SSHRC. This unique opportunity supports establishment of a national research program with multiyear funding to advance collective understanding of reconciliation.

The TRC defines “reconciliation” as an ongoing process of establishing and maintaining respectful relationships. The TRC explained:

“[R]econciliation must support Aboriginal peoples as they heal from the destructive legacies of colonization that have wreaked such havoc in their lives. But it must do even more. Reconciliation must inspire Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal peoples to transform Canadian society so that our children and grandchildren can live together in dignity, peace, and prosperity on these lands we now share.”

 

One of the NCTR’s goals is to provide educational and employment opportunities to Indigenous Peoples. In alignment with this, and in keeping with the principles and strategic directions in SSHRC’s Indigenous Research Statement of Principles and in the federal research funding agencies’ strategic plan, Setting new directions to support Indigenous research and research training in Canada 2019-2022, this joint initiative is designated for research projects led by First Nations, Métis Nation or Inuit researchers as applicant / project director.

SSHRC and the NCTR invite teams led by First Nations, Métis Nation or Inuit researchers to submit proposals for new or existing formal partnerships that contribute to our collective understanding of truth and reconciliation. Proposals could, for example, address residential schools’ history, or the ongoing legacy of residential schools and Canada’s policies of assimilation in one or more areas, including child welfare, education, language and culture, health, and justice.

The TRC noted closing residential schools did not end their impacts on Indigenous Peoples; Indigenous Peoples continue to experience systemic discrimination across sectors, which persists as part of government policies of assimilation and undermines reconciliation.

The NCTR and SSHRC recognize the experience of northern Inuit communities, and encourage Inuit-led teams to submit proposals focusing on the realities of the Inuit Nunangat.

As part of the Reconciliation Network, the teams funded under this initiative will participate in coordination activities managed by the NCTR in its role as coordination hub for the network. Teams will participate in:

• regular dialogue and networking among projects, under the guidance of the Reconciliation Network Coordination Hub;
• knowledge mobilization activities, which may include podcasts, conference panels, etc.;
• any conferences organized by the Reconciliation Network Coordination Hub, which may also result in publication of public reports exploring and highlighting research achievements; and
• activities to support the success of the network and the promotion of interactions between teams.

In their proposals, applicants should integrate the NCTR coordination hub into their knowledge mobilization plans, and discuss how they will work with the NCTR in their project (i.e., what resources you will need). For example, knowledge mobilization plans should include participation in network meetings and discussions with the hub knowledge mobilization coordinator. Each project is expected to propose and include a budget request for one knowledge mobilization activity for the entire network. The NCTR will make its resources available to the network teams

Objectives

The main objective of the Reconciliation Network in Response to Call 65 is to award grants to provide support for new and existing formal partnerships over five years to advance research, research training and knowledge mobilization in the social sciences and humanities. This is done through mutual co-operation and sharing of intellectual leadership, as well as through resources as shown by cash and/or in-kind contributions.

The quality of training, mentoring and employability plans for students and emerging scholars will be evaluated as an important part of the proposed initiative. SSHRC’s Guidelines for Effective Research Training explain how students and emerging scholars can meaningfully participate in proposed initiatives.

The intellectual leadership and governance for a new or existing formal partnership can come from the research community and/or from partner organizations from the public, private and not-for-profit sectors. However, only an institution that meets institutional eligibility requirements can administer the grant funding. For more information, see Eligibility.

SSHRC’s Partnerships Tool-Kit offers tools and resources to assist in the planning and implementation of a partnership

Equity, diversity and inclusion

All applicants to SSHRC opportunities are encouraged to consider equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in both research practice (EDI-RP) and research design (EDI-RD).

EDI-RP involves promoting diversity in team composition and trainee recruitment; fostering an equitable, inclusive and accessible research work environment for team members and trainees; and highlighting diversity and equity in mentoring, training and access to development opportunities.

EDI-RD involves designing the research so that it takes EDI into account, through approaches such as intersectionality, antiracist frameworks, gender-based analysis plus (GBA+) and disaggregated data collection, and analysis that includes consideration of diversity and identity factors such as, but not limited to, age, culture, disability, education, ethnicity, gender expression and gender identity, immigration and newcomer status, Indigenous identity, language, neurodiversity, parental status/responsibility, place of origin, religion, race, sexual orientation, and socio-economic status.

The NCTR and SSHRC encourage projects to use GBA+.

Value and duration

Grants offered under the Reconciliation Network in Response to Call to Action 65 are valued at up to $200,000 annually over five years, up to a total of $1 million. A one-year automatic grant extension without additional funding is also available under this joint initiative.

Applicants Eligibility

This funding opportunity is open to First Nations, Métis Nation and Inuit researchers affiliated with an eligible Canadian institution (university, college, not-for-profit organization) at the time of application. First Nations, Métis Nation or Inuit researchers who maintain an affiliation with a Canadian postsecondary institution, but whose primary affiliation is with a non-Canadian postsecondary institution, are not eligible for applicant status. Applicants are also invited to consult the NCTR’s list of partner organizations to expand their collaborations.

Applications can be submitted by a team of researchers consisting of at least one First Nations, Métis Nation or Inuit applicant / project director. The team can be composed of participants, such as one or more co-directors, co-applicants and/or collaborators. The applicant / project director prepares the application with the team.

Applicants who have received a SSHRC grant of any type but have failed to submit an achievement report by the deadline specified in their Notice of Award are not eligible to apply for another SSHRC grant until they have submitted the report.

Researchers who are federal scientists affiliated with a Canadian postsecondary institution must demonstrate that their proposed research or research-related activity is not related to either the mandate of their employer or the normal duties for which they receive payment from that employer.

If the proposal falls within the mandate of the federal government and the research or research-related activity is performed in government facilities, funding can only be allocated for student salaries, stipends and travel costs.

First Nations, Métis Nation or Inuit postdoctoral researchers are eligible to be applicants if they have formally established an affiliation with an eligible institution at the time of application and maintain such an affiliation for the duration of the grant period.

Students are not eligible for applicant or co-applicant status.

An administrative review for applicant eligibility will be jointly conducted by SSHRC and the NCTR. As this initiative supports Indigenous-led projects by Indigenous applicants, all applicants will be asked to self-identify. To help address concerns regarding the use of self-identification as a sole selection criterion for opportunities designated for First Nations, Métis Nation and Inuit applicants, applicants will also be required to:

• provide a brief overview of their community’s history;
• describe their personal ties and experience in their community; and
• provide a contact from their community should a follow-up be required.

Guidance from the SSHRC Indigenous Advisory Circle will be sought to validate the results of the administrative review of the documentation provided.

SSHRC and the NCTR will not advise prospective applicants on determination of eligibility regarding self-identification

Co-applicants

An individual (including postdoctoral researchers) is eligible to be a co-applicant if they are formally affiliated with any of the following:

• Canadian: eligible postsecondary institutions; not-for-profit organizations; philanthropic foundations; think tanks; or municipal, territorial or provincial governments; or

• International: postsecondary institutions.

Collaborators

Any individual who makes a significant contribution to the project is eligible to be a collaborator. Collaborators do not need to be affiliated with an eligible Canadian postsecondary institution.

Individuals from the private sector or federal government can participate only as collaborators.

Partner organizations

Partner organizations can be Canadian or international institutions or organizations (public, private, not-for-profit) of any type. Indigenous organizations, Indigenous governments and Indigenous not-for-profit organizations are all welcome to partner.

Although partner organizations are normally expected to support the activities of the partnership through cash and/or in-kind contributions, in an effort to alleviate barriers to all communities’ participation, partners unable to provide cash and/or in-kind contributions may explain alternative support in their letters. This support can include social capital—an asset that may emphasize social and familial relationships and networks and may affect the cost of research—and/or linguistic capital, such as the ability to engage in the community using its ancestral language(s) and a national language of Canada.

 

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*SFU Signature Sheet due to ors@sfu.ca and application in "submit mode" no later than 3 business days before the agency deadline.