Message from Dr. Carrie Bourassa about two opportunities to participate in Indigenous health research

Hello, Boozhoo, Bonjour,

As the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) moves forward in implementing its Action Plan to strengthen Indigenous health research in Canada, I’m pleased to share the following updates related to two CIHR initiatives relevant to Indigenous health research: the Indigenous component of the Healthy Life Trajectories Initiative (I-HeLTI), and the Networks Environments for Indigenous Health Research (NEIHR).
Indigenous component of the Healthy Life Trajectories Initiative (I-HeLTI)

In follow up to the announcement I made on October 30th, I’m pleased to inform you that CIHR is launching Development Grants to bring interested First Nations, Métis, Inuit and Urban Indigenous communities together for a workshop to inform the development of the Indigenous component of the Healthy Life Trajectories Initiative (I-HeLTI). This initiative focuses on addressing non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, obesity and mental wellness and will support communities to work together to establish the needed expertise to support Indigenous-driven research.

The request for applications (RFA) will be available soon on the CIHR ResearchNet site. The deadline to submit an application is February 5th, 2018.

A webinar will be held for the RFA via WebEx on January 10th 2018. Please contact IHeLTI@cihr-irsc.gc.ca for more information. CIHR is also providing a linkage tool that is intended to facilitate connections between interested parties such as First Nations, Inuit, Metis and Urban Indigenous communities, Indigenous health researchers, and experts in healthy life trajectories. If you would like to use this tool, please complete a short survey.
Networks Environments for Indigenous Health Research (NEIHR)

In addition, I’m pleased to announce that CIHR will be launching Development Grants in spring 2018 for a forthcoming Networks Environments for Indigenous Health Research (NEIHR) initiative.

The NEIHR Development Grants will bring together Indigenous Peoples/Communities/Organizations and other members of the research team, including researchers, knowledge-users and/or partners, to undertake initial planning and proposal development in preparation of an anticipated future CIHR NEIHR Network grants Request for Applications (RFA) The purpose of the NEIHR is to establish a solid foundation for Indigenous health research driven by and grounded in Indigenous communities in Canada. I refer you to the details in the upcoming request for applications.

Anticipated Key dates:

• Launch of NEIHR Development Grant RFA: Winter 2018
• Application deadline: Spring 2018
• Funding Start date: Fall 2018

I’m extremely proud to announce this NEIHR initiative, along with the co-lead Dr. Brian Rowe, Scientific Director from the Institute of Circulatory and Respiratory Health, as I believe it will provide the needed support to build Indigenous health research capacity across Canada.

Megweetch, thank you, merci,

Dr. Carrie Bourassa
Scientific Director
CIHR’s Institute of Aboriginal Peoples’ Health

NT5