Removing barriers to postsecondary education is integral to having a representative and diverse research community in Canada. To advance Indigenous training and build Indigenous research capacity in Canada, support for First Nations, Inuit and Métis students is key.
Today, the Honourable François-Phillipe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, announced the launch of the Indigenous Scholars Awards and Supplements Pilot Initiative to provide financial support to Indigenous master's students in social science, humanities, natural science, and engineering programs. Qualifying Indigenous applicants will receive a $17,500 award as well as a $5,000 supplement as part of the current Canada Graduate Scholarships-Master's program offered by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC).
The pilot initiative was developed in response to the government's commitment to strengthen Indigenous research capacity and provide dedicated funding to support promising graduate students, foster the mentorship of young researchers, and increase opportunities for Indigenous Peoples in Canadian postsecondary institutions. Through its "Setting new directions to support Indigenous research and research training in Canada" strategic plan, co-developed with First Nations, Métis and Inuit Peoples, the Canada Research Coordinating Committee made it a priority to create new funding opportunities, tools and resources, and streamlined administrative processes for Indigenous students.
This launch follows sustained engagement and discussion with national-level Indigenous organizations, Indigenous advisory bodies at the federal research funding agencies, as well as Indigenous students, professors and university administrators across the country with expertise in providing support to Indigenous students.
NSERC and SSHRC are committed to upholding the values of equity, diversity and inclusion. Both agencies hope this additional funding will encourage more Indigenous students to enroll in master's level studies and pursue research in the social sciences and humanities or in the natural sciences and engineering.
