Call for Expressions of Interest: Indigenous Leadership Circle in Research

In 2022, Canada’s three federal research funding agencies (the agencies)—the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council, and SSHRC—and the Canada Foundation for Innovation launched the Indigenous Leadership Circle in Research. The Leadership Circle advises the presidents of the four organizations in implementing the Canada Research Coordinating Committee’s (CRCC) strategic plan, Setting new directions to support Indigenous research and research training in Canada. The group’s creation aligns with the CRCC’s commitment to increasing the capacity of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples to lead their own research and collaborate with the broader research community.

Current members of the Leadership Circle include First Nations, Inuit and Métis academics at various career stages and from a variety of research communities, including postsecondary institutions and Indigenous not-for-profit organizations with a research mandate.

The Indigenous Leadership Circle in Research is now seeking new members who have a deep understanding of Indigenous research and who are interested in contributing to improving the research landscape for Indigenous researchers in Canada.

Objectives

Members of the Indigenous Leadership Circle in Research provide advice and guidance at the tri-agency level, and help advance the strategic plan’s four strategic directions:

• building relationships with First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples;
• supporting research priorities of Indigenous Peoples;
• creating greater funding accessibility to granting agency programs; and
• championing Indigenous leadership, self-determination and capacity building in research.

The Leadership Circle is mainly responsible for:

• monitoring progress of the strategic plan’s implementation;
• identifying issues and opportunities, and recommending solutions, to support the four organizations in implementing the strategic plan; and
• providing advice and direction on other Indigenous matters that may have an impact on other areas of the four organizations’ business (as required).

Time commitment

Leadership Circle members meet four times annually, including one in-person meeting at locations throughout Canada and three meetings by tele- or video-conference. New members will serve a term of two years, renewable twice.

Compensation

Service as a Leadership Circle member is voluntary. Expenses incurred to attend in-person meetings will be reimbursed at Government of Canada rates.

Review process

Members will be selected via the current members of the Indigenous Leadership Circle in Research, in collaboration with the tri-agency, who will identify new membership needs in a way that considers:

• current composition of the Indigenous Leadership Circle in Research;
• sufficient diversity to reflect First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples in Canada (including the perspectives of urban, rural, northern, and on/off reserve Indigenous Peoples);
• different levels of experience and expertise (community and academic);
• breadth across the agencies’ mandate areas;
• gender equity; and
• geography.

How to apply

Submit the following to show interest in being considered for membership.

• A two- to three-page freeform document that:
  • confirms you are of Indigenous ancestry;
  • outlines the experiences and perspectives you have that would contribute to the mandate of the Leadership Circle; and
  • explains how being part of the Leadership Circle would benefit you and your community (see this definition of “community”), collective and/or organization.
• A signed letter of support from the your community that describes your lived experience with research and involvement/role within the community.

Email all documents to Indigenous-Autochtone@sshrc-crsh.gc.ca, with the subject “Indigenous Leadership Circle in Research.”

The deadline for applications is March 31, 2024. Appointments to the Leadership Circle will be announced by October 2024.