Grant and Funding Programs Offered by Wabanaki-Labrador Indigenous Health Research Network

The Wabanaki-Labrador Indigenous Health Research Network is part of the broader Canadian ecosystem for Indigenous health research. Anchored in the Wabanaki territories and Labrador region, the network works with Indigenous communities, Elders, knowledge holders, researchers and institutions to strengthen Indigenous-led health research. As part of this role, it administers research grants and related funding opportunities that support community priorities and capacity building.

The network is associated with the national Network Environments for Indigenous Health Research (NEIHR) initiative and is supported by partners such as the Dalhousie Medical Research Foundation and academic and health institutions in Atlantic Canada. Through this partnership model, it channels resources into projects that respond to local health needs and advance Indigenous ways of knowing in research.

Within its mandate, the Wabanaki-Labrador network typically offers several forms of financial support, including small research or pilot project grants, community-based project funding, and awards or studentships for trainees and early-career researchers. These funds are designed to encourage Indigenous leadership in project design, governance and knowledge translation, and to create opportunities for collaboration between communities and universities.

Funding calls generally prioritize projects that are grounded in community-identified health priorities, uphold cultural safety, and integrate Indigenous methodologies. The network emphasizes relationship-building, reciprocity and shared decision-making throughout the research process, and its funding portfolio reflects these principles.

Although specific program criteria vary by competition, funding decisions are usually informed by a combination of community guidance, Indigenous governance structures and peer review. Applications are assessed on their relevance to Indigenous health, strength of partnerships, feasibility, and potential to build long-term capacity in communities.

The network promotes transparency and accountability through clear descriptions of its funding opportunities, public sharing of general program information, and acknowledgement of its core funders. By coordinating resources at the regional level, the Wabanaki-Labrador Indigenous Health Research Network helps ensure that external investments in Indigenous health research are directed to projects and people rooted in the territories they serve.