Survey on the Tri-Agency Policy on Indigenous Citizenship and Membership Affirmation

April 20, 2026

The three federal research funding agencies—the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC)—are seeking feedback on the Tri-Agency Policy on Indigenous Citizenship and Membership Affirmation and its associated directive.

The Tri-Agency Policy on Indigenous Citizenship and Membership Affirmation was first published in August 2024. It established key elements of a new process for affirming Indigenous citizenship and/or membership within the context of programs, funding opportunities and/or appointments designated for First Nations, Inuit and Métis applicants.

Internal and external consultations will be conducted and scheduled in the upcoming months through a variety of methods—including an online survey, focus groups and listening sessions, and a written submission period.

The objective of the survey component of the consultations is to better understand perspectives, lived experiences, and considerations related to the policy and its associated directive—as well as their implementation—to inform potential revisions to the policy.

To learn more or participate, visit the survey page.

This survey closes on July 3, 2026.

For questions about this consultation, how respondent information will be used or how to participate in other policy review mechanisms related to the Tri-Agency Policy on Indigenous Citizenship and Membership Affirmation, contact: Indigenous-Autochtone@sshrc-crsh.gc.ca.