22 May Etuaptmu’k W’loti Student Research Awards
Attention: Mi’kmaw and Indigenous Undergraduate & Graduate Students
The Atlantic Indigenous Children’s Healing (AICH) Initiative works with community partners and clinicians to bridge the gap in our understanding of Indigenous children’s pain and healing. We gather knowledge to enhance cultural safety in healthcare and education in OCAP-aligned research for Indigenous children and youth health. We lead the development of culturally safe initiatives such as courses, toolkits and care settings within Nova Scotia. We approach our Indigenous-led work through a Two-Eyed Seeing lens and aim to support strong research by and for communities in Mi’kma’ki.
Through our recent Etuaptmu’k W’loti project funded through Research Nova Scotia’s Focused Research Investment, we are aiming to facilitate societal impact through our four project objectives:
1) Access to a Mi’kmaw-Developed and Validated ‘Cultural Safety in Healthcare’ Indicators Toolkit;
2) Harnessing Mi’kmaw Data to Identify Care Gaps, Creating Solutions and Confirming Priority Health Services in Ear, Oral and Youth Mental Health;
3) Reducing Racism and Enhanced Cultural Safety in Education, Healthcare and Research through expansion of our Cultural Safety in Healthcare for Indigenous peoples course, and
4) Improving Access to Culturally Appropriate Services.
Through this funding, we will be offering awards to one Indigenous undergraduate, master’s and doctoral student (3 total) for the 2026/2027 academic year to contribute to our research program development, evaluation, analysis and knowledge mobilization within the Etuaptmu’k W’loti project objectives. The overall goal of this funding program is to develop Mi’kmaq/Indigenous postsecondary health research capacity.
To apply for our Etuaptmu’k W’loti Research Awards for the 2026/2027 academic year you must be a Mi’kmaw/Indigenous student enrolled in a full-time or part-time postsecondary program for the duration of the year. Please submit a research proposal outlining a project of interest to you that contributes to culturally safe healthcare for Mi’kmaq and Indigenous people in Mi’kma’ki/Nova Scotia and state how it is a fit to the Etuaptmu’k W’loti objectives (Max 3 pages).
Your research proposal must include:
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- Aim
- Methodology
- How your project relates to the Etuaptmu’k W’loti project objectives
- Anticipated community impact
- An overview of your research background
- Your connection with community and how you plan to engage community in the proposed project
Please include a resume and a letter of confirmation of your project from your Supervisor or faculty mentor.
The deadline to submit the application for our 2026/2027 research awards is June 22nd 2026. To apply, send your full application package, including your research proposal and resume to achh@iwk.nshealth.ca.
Evaluation: Evaluation of the project proposals will be based on the CIHR principles of Research Excellence, Feasibility, and Significance/Impact, which will be aligned to the principles of Indigenous research worldviews, including Respect, Relevance, Reciprocity and Responsibility through the category of Significance and Impact to Indigenous Communities and the fit with the Etuaptmu’k W’loti objectives.
Annual research funds will be $7,500 for a full-time undergraduate student, $12,000 for a full-time master’s student, and $20,250 for a full-time doctoral student. Part-time students will be eligible to receive half of these funds annually.
