SECTION IN PROGRESS (PREVIEW)
Funding & Collaborations
Funding for research in Eeyou Istchee should support Cree priorities, strengthen local capacity, and bring lasting benefits to communities.
This page brings together information to help Cree communities, organizations, and community researchers find funding for their own research, and to connect with funders and partners — charitable organizations, universities, and governments — who want to support work in the territory in a good way.
Whether you are a community wellness team hoping to document traditional knowledge, a youth group planning a land-based project, or a Cree organization seeking a research partner, the goal is the same: research that is led by, shaped by, and accountable to Iiyiyuuch Iinuuch.
Funding to support your research
Cree communities and organizations can access a range of programs to fund research, monitoring, and knowledge projects. The categories below describe the main types of funding available and what they are typically used for.
Community-led research grants
These grants support projects that are designed and carried out by communities themselves — for example, documenting Cree knowledge, land-based studies, language work, and health and wellness research. They often prioritize community ownership of data, training for local researchers, and results that stay in the community.
Explore relevant programs:
Capacity-building and training support
Some funding is designed to build local research capacity rather than fund a single study — supporting research coordinators, youth internships, community data management, and partnerships with training institutions.
Explore relevant programs:
Environmental monitoring and land stewardship funding
Funding is available for water, wildlife, climate, and land monitoring led by Cree tallymen, guardians, and environment departments. These programs can support fieldwork, equipment, training, and the blending of Iiyiyuu Iinuu knowledge with scientific methods.
Explore relevant programs:
Partnership and matching funds
Many programs require a community and an academic or institutional partner to apply together. Aashukin can help communities identify respectful partners and structure agreements so that funding flows in a way that reflects Cree priorities and OCAP® principles.
Explore relevant programs:
Connect with research funders and partners
Finding the right partner matters as much as finding the right funding. The three groups below are the most common sources of research funding and collaboration in Eeyou Istchee. Aashukin can help communities approach any of them in a way that protects Cree rights and knowledge.
Governmental funding programs
Federal, provincial, and Cree Nation Government programs fund research and monitoring across health, environment, education, and economic development. Government programs often have fixed deadlines and reporting requirements. Aashukin can help communities understand eligibility and prepare applications that reflect community priorities.
Start with each government’s funding programs:
Universities and research institutions
Funding is available for water, wildlife, climate, and land monitoring led by Cree tallymen, guardians, and environment departments. These programs can support fieldwork, equipment, training, and the blending of Iiyiyuu Iinuu knowledge with scientific methods.
Explore relevant programs:
Charitable and philanthropic organizations
Foundations and charitable organizations often fund community-driven research in areas such as health, culture, language revitalization, youth, and environmental protection. Many are actively seeking to support Indigenous-led work and offer flexible funding that respects community timelines. Aashukin can help identify foundations whose priorities align with your project.
Explore relevant programs:
How Aashukin can help
- Help communities and organizations identify funding programs and partners suited to their project.
- Connect communities with universities, foundations, and government programs in a good way.
- Support the design of research agreements that protect Cree data, knowledge, and rights.
- Guide projects through the Aashukin review so funding proposals align with community priorities.
- Share templates and tools, including the Model Research Agreement and Data Sharing Agreement.
Get in touch
Looking for funding or a research partner? The Aashukin team can help you find opportunities, connect with funders, and prepare applications that reflect Cree priorities. Reach out to us at info@aashukin.ca.