To Apply

Applications must be completed and submitted through Memorial University’s Public Engagement application portal

Who Can Apply

UArctic encourage engagement between Northern Canadian UArctic member institutions, other Canadian members, and other UArctic member institutions for collaborative, co-created research and education initiatives. The lead applicant must come from a Canadian Arctic/Northern UArctic member institution. A complete and updated list of member institutions can be found on the UArctic website.

Examples of prospective applicants include, but are not limited to

  • a scholar with research experience in the North, hoping to support a new graduate student as they establish their own professional relationships with Northern and Indigenous partners.
  • an emerging scholar looking to expand their relationships and partnerships with Northern and Indigenous communities so they better understand the research needs and desires of Northern people.
  • experienced researchers looking to enlarge and deepen their Northern and Indigenous relationships and networks through knowledge sharing activities.

Many things are possible. Be creative! Building relationships is necessary hard work, but it should also be fun. We envision this fund as a catalyst for building better and deeper relationships with Northern and Indigenous groups and communities.

Amount of Funding

The funding is targeted to support relationship-building projects in the Arctic and Northern regions. Projects may be funded with a maximum total of $15,000. Funding cannot be applied retroactively for activities already carried out.

Duration of Projects

Projects can have a maximum duration of one year within the timeframe July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023.

Application Criteria

  • The application should have a minimum of two UArctic members, with a project lead from a Northern Canadian member institution (there is no limit to the maximum number of partners).
  • The application has to clearly establish how proposed activities will strengthen existing or build new relationships between researchers based at academic institutions and Northern and Indigenous people and communities that may lead to new research and learning opportunities.
  • The applications must have a local Indigenous and/or community partner clearly supporting this initial and exploratory engagement focused on relationship building that may result in future research or other kinds of projects. That support has to be indicated clearly and unambiguously either through official letter of support for the application or some other appropriate indication of willingness to engage with the academic researchers based either at the Northern or Southern institutions, in establishing and building a working relationship (for example, correspondence, or an email exchange).
  • The application has to demonstrate how proposed activities strengthen relationships among UArctic members.
  • The applicants must outline how they are going to share their experience with other UArctic members in order to help them understand the role of Indigenous and Northern communities as equal partners in research development and co- creation process. This applies to researchers at the academic institutions based in the North and the South with the understanding that their experiences may be different depending on how connected and embedded they are in the circumpolar region.

Eligible Costs

Recognizing that different partners and Indigenous groups may have different requirements and preferences on how they would like to explore potential relationships with academic researchers, the fund allows for a broad interpretation of eligible costs on part of the evaluation committee. In general, the fund can cover:

  • Meeting and workshop expenses (e.g. venue, meals, accommodation and travel of the participants);
  • Fees or payments and per diems. Please note that you cannot cover the permanent salaries for scientific/academic or technical/administrative staff;
  • Costs for online conference platforms and tools;
  • Honoraria to artists, performers or knowledge holders in keeping with established rates (CARFAC or other appropriate sanctioned body).

Applicants should document funding of at least 25% of the total budget from in kind and or other sources.

Evaluation Process

An evaluation committee comprised of academic and non-academic members will evaluate the proposals and make the final funding decision. Evaluation will focus on:

  • The project's relevance to the North as expressed through the six UArctic values and Canada’s Arctic and Northern Policy.
  • How the project contributes to circumpolar cooperation, its inclusiveness and openness and diversity of partners and is relevant to Northern communities and peoples.
  • Excellence and feasibility of the proposed activities.
  • Project management (knowledge mobilization plan, internal and external risk management, sustainability plans for the activity, long-term impacts and internal evaluation).
  • Budget must reflect project activities in a realistic manner.

UArctic and Memorial University expect that all research projects are conducted with research integrity and where applicable follow indigenization strategies.

Application Deadline:

Applications must be completed and submitted through Memorial University’s Public Engagement application portal by April 29, 23:59 (CEST). Applications received after the deadline or incomplete applications will not be evaluated.