Indigenous-Led Data Research Projects Program application guidelines

On this page

• Program background
• About the program
• Who can apply
• How to apply
• Eligible projects
• Eligible activities and expenditures
• Selection process
• Reporting requirements
• Terms and conditions

Program background

As part of its efforts to respond to the National Inquiry's Calls for Justice on the need for improved and reliable data on Indigenous Peoples, as well as the recommendations from the National Action Plan Data Strategy, the Government of Canada is providing through Budget 2021 $6.5 million in funding over 6 years for Indigenous-led research initiatives that support qualitative and distinctions-based projects on data collection related to missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people.

The work of the National Inquiry on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and the National Action Plan Data Strategy 2021 identified a critical lack of data on Indigenous Peoples in Canada, particularly with respect to missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people, and in distinctions-based or identity-based data for underserviced groups and individuals.

These gaps in consistent and reliable data impact the ability of all governments to make evidence-based decisions in support of the safety of Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people.

About the program

The Indigenous-Led Data Research Projects Program will provide funding beginning in 2021-2022 until 2026-2027 to support data projects designed to develop distinctions-based or identity-specific indicators or methodologies to increase knowledge around missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people and around safety for Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people.

These projects are not intended to support the development of new data sets. Rather, they are focused on laying the groundwork for improved methodologies and new approaches to produce better data around safety that are inclusive of Indigenous worldviews and perspectives.

This initiative responds to the need for urgent action that is based on a recognition of distinctions and identity-based concerns with existing data held by governments as well as other statistical institutions, and by concerns with research about Indigenous people conducted by non-Indigenous institutions and researchers.

Who can apply

• Indigenous organizations, such as but not limited to:
  • Indigenous women's and Indigenous 2SLGBTQQIA+ organizations
  • urban or off-reserve Indigenous organizations
  • Métis and non-status Indigenous organizations
  • Inuit organizations
  • Indigenous service providers or Indigenous political or representative organizations
• Indigenous governments
• First Nation communities, organizations and governments
• Tribal Councils
• Indigenous researchers affiliated with one of the entities outlined above

How to apply

Submissions to this program require a completed application form with a detailed project plan, itemized budget and short narrative (up to a maximum of 2500 words) that clearly demonstrates how the proposed project will contribute to better understanding safety for Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people.

Applicants that do not already have an established funding arrangement in place with the department may be asked to provide additional documentation.

The application form template: PAW #638262 (Project or Workplan Funding Application)

Applicants can also include additional and supporting documentation with their application form in other formats of their choosing.

If you have questions about preparing your proposal or would like assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Eligible projects

Eligible projects can be single year or multi-year. To be considered eligible, funding submissions should contain one or more of the following:

• A clear link to missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people, including either a link to innovative methodologies to better understand the scope of the issue or to understand prevention, or else a link to those underserviced or underrepresented in current data
• Objectives that seek to determine ways to better define or measure what safety means to Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people, particularly in distinctions or identity-based terms
• A focus on data tools and/or methodologies: the processes of collecting Indigenous data, rather than the collection of data itself, using either quantitative, qualitative or mixed methodological approaches to chart a path toward more reliable data

Examples of eligible projects are, but are not limited to:

• better understanding prevention-based indicators for the safety of Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people
• development of distinctions-based or identity-based quantitative and qualitative indicators
• identification of new or innovative methodologies for collecting and analyzing data, and their link to underserviced or underrepresented data constituencies

Eligible activities and expenditures

Eligible activities may include but are not limited to:

• salaries and wages specific to this project, outside of existing operational costs
• accommodations
• hardware and software needs specific to the project, as clearly identified in the application
• administrative costs to a maximum of 12% of the total value of the proposal
• supplies and materials
• information and training services related to the project
• travel costs, as per approved Treasury Board rates
• professional services, such as speakers, legal advice, and coordinators
• event, meeting or workshop costs, such as rentals, related supplies, and logistics
• honoraria
• communications costs
• supports to remove barriers to access, such as childcare services or transportation costs

Selection process

Applications will be assessed on how well they align with the objectives of the National Action Plan and Federal Pathway as these plans relate to Indigenous data.

Reporting requirements

A final report including a completed Data Collection Instrument (DCI) Activities and Expenditures Report (DCI# 4548549) template is to be submitted at the end of the project. Multi-year projects may be asked to submit interim reports during the course of the project.

Completed initiatives and their resulting publicly shareable reports can be hosted by their creators. These reports may also be linked or posted in full on the CIRNAC website or on the national action plan website, and referenced in the annual progress report for both the federal pathway and the national action plan.

Terms and conditions

For further details on the terms and conditions of this program, please consult:

• For First Nations and Inuit organizations: Contributions for the Purpose of Consultation and Policy Development
• For Métis and non-status Indigenous organizations: Terms and Conditions for the Federal Interlocutor's Contribution Program