Heart and Stroke Foundation – Grants-In-Aid – Indigenous Research Stream
Well-being, Health and Biomedical Discovery
Deadlines
Academic Unit: Inquire within unit
Memorial Deadline: Monday 14th, September 2026
External Deadline: Thursday 17th, September 2026
Description
Purpose and Objective
As part of the Grant-in-Aid (GIA) research program, the Indigenous Research Stream (GIA-I) supports
Indigenous-led (First Nations, Inuit, and/or Métis) heart and/or brain health research that is grounded in
Indigenous Ways of Knowing and Doing to advance and generate Indigenous knowledges, data and
approaches.
This Stream responds to longstanding barriers in health research funding systems by creating space for research priorities, methodologies, timelines, measures of success, and knowledge mobilization
approaches that are defined with and by First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples. The GIA-I aims to provide dedicated funding for Indigenous-led heart and brain health research that emphasizes Indigenous self determination, Indigenous data sovereignty, community governance, relational accountability, and
Indigenous knowledge systems.
In the context of this research program, Indigenous health research is defined as any field or discipline
related to health and/or wellness that is conducted by, grounded in, or engaged with, First Nations, Inuit, or Métis communities, societies or individuals and their wisdom, cultures, experiences or knowledge systems, as expressed in their dynamic forms, past and present. Regardless of the methodologies or perspectives that apply in a given context, researchers who conduct Indigenous research, whether they are Indigenous or non-Indigenous themselves, commit to respectful relationships with Indigenous Peoples and communities.
For the purposes of this Stream, Indigenous-led research means research in which First Nations, Inuit,
and/or Métis researchers, communities, organizations, or governing bodies hold meaningful leadership and decision-making authority throughout the research process.
The GIA-I offers support for projects in cardiovascular or cerebrovascular research that are Indigenous-led and culturally grounded, community-driven, and committed to upholding the sovereignty and wisdom of Indigenous Peoples throughout the research process. This support may be provided to successful GIA-I Applicants (“Applicants”) for a maximum of four (4) years. GIA-I funds may only be used to support research conducted in Canada. All grants become tenable July 1 following the announcement of the competition results.
Research proposals must advance Indigenous knowledge systems, practices, and approaches that reflect the lived experiences, values, and worldviews of Indigenous Peoples. Proposed research must be
grounded in Indigenous Ways of Knowing and Doing through appropriate, culturally responsive research methodologies and practice. Western approaches may be included in ways that complement Indigenous approaches. Research must be distinctions-based where appropriate, recognizing the distinct rights, governance structures, histories, geographies, knowledges, and priorities of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples. Pan-Indigenous approaches should be clearly justified and grounded in the communities, organizations, or partners involved.
Up to three (3) GIA-I grants are anticipated to be funded in this competition.
Eligibility
In order to be eligible to apply for the GIA-I, Applicants must meet both the standard GIA criteria and the following GIA-I criteria:
a. Principal Applicant (“PA”) and (if applicable) Co-Principal Applicant (“Co-PA”) must either self
identify as Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit and/or Métis) or provide evidence of having meaningful
and culturally safe engagement with Indigenous Peoples, or both, and have a full-time academic
or faculty appointment (i.e., at minimum, at the Assistant or Clinical Assistant Professor level) at
an eligible Canadian institution at the time the application is submitted.
b. An Indigenous Lead (“IL”) who is an Indigenous Elder and/or an Indigenous Knowledge Holder2
must be involved and identified on the application (See General Information) if the PA or Co-PA
do not meet the requirements of an IL. An IL is considered an equal partner to the PA on the
application.
c. The application must align with the purpose and objective of the GIA-I
d. If the PA and/or IL are deemed ineligible, the entire application will be withdrawn from the
competition There will be no appeal process for applications deemed ineligible.
e. The host institution/University (“Host Institution”) is the institution or organization that is responsible
for receiving and administering the Grant on behalf of the Recipient. It will be the home institution
of the PA. Documentation of support for the PA and the application by the Host Institution shall be
required as part of the full application process.
Registration
Applicants must complete a registration for the funding opportunity using the Heart & Stroke’s electronic grant and award management system CIRCUlink before accessing and submitting the application.
Note that registration for the competition closes three (3) hours prior to the submission deadline. Heart & Stroke strongly encourages Applicants to begin the registration process as early as possible, and well in advance of the application submission deadline to ensure timely completion.
Applications will be completed online using Heart & Stroke’s online portal, CIRCUlink. A detailed CIRCUlink User-Guide to assist in navigating the system is available, and all Applicants are strongly encouraged to review it in advance of starting an application to optimize user experience.
By submitting an application, Applicants understand that the information provided may be shared with
funding partners for the purpose of eligibility, relevance, peer review and/or funding decisions.
Application Submission Deadline – September 17, 2026 – 3:00pm ET (Registration closes at 12:00pm ET)
Official Notification Date – May 2027
Grant Start Date – July 1, 2027
For more information on how to apply, please visit the Heart and Stroke Foundation Website, here.