CFAs: Indigenous Genomics Training and Capacity Program (Canada)

The program will invest in partnerships to support career development and research transition programs that lead to independent research and advance careers in genomics.

Objectives

• Building Indigenous capacity in genomics: Strengthening technical, social scientific and community capacities among Indigenous students and practitioners to enable Indigenous student/practitioner engagement in genomics research.
• Promoting career development: Supporting career development and transitions into independent research roles, advancing the careers of Indigenous participants in genomics and related fields.
• Integrating Indigenous knowledge and perspectives: Equipping participants with skills that blend Indigenous knowledge systems, values and perspectives with modern scientific and technological disciplines.
• Advancing Indigenous self-determination: Ensuring genomics research and applications uphold and promote Indigenous rights to self-determination.
• Fostering interdisciplinary exploration: Encouraging the intersection of Indigenous ways of knowing with genomics, biotechnology, environmental science and other fields to promote innovative, inclusive and culturally relevant research.

Goals

• Trained Indigenous highly qualified personnel (HQP): A cohort of Indigenous students and community practitioners equipped with advanced genomic skills and interdisciplinary expertise.
• Career transition opportunities: Participants successfully transitioning into independent research roles or advancing their careers in genomics and related fields.
• Culturally-integrated genomics practices: Development of research approaches, tools and methodologies that effectively integrate Indigenous knowledge systems, values and perspectives with contemporary science and technology.
• Community-led research projects: Indigenous-led genomics research initiatives that address community-identified priorities and promote self-determination.
• Knowledge-sharing and collaboration: Enhanced partnerships and collaborations between Indigenous communities, academic institutions and research organizations, fostering innovative and inclusive approaches to genomics.

Funding Information

• A maximum of $400,000 is available from Genome Canada.
• Funding will be allocated to up to two projects.
• Genome Canada funds will be required to flow on or before January 1, 2026, and the funded project will have a maximum term of three years.
• Co-funding is not required but is encouraged.

Eligible Projects

• The project must be Indigenous-led and actively engaged with Indigenous communities.
• Project leaders and team members must be affiliated with an eligible institution.

Eligibility Criteria

• This program will provide Indigenous-led training opportunities for Indigenous students and community practitioners, equipping them with genomic skills and capabilities that integrate Indigenous knowledge systems, values and perspectives with modern science, technology and social scientific critique.

Application Requirements

• Reporting and performance measurement:
  • The projects must submit to the Genome Centre on a periodic basis, information and data which will allow for the on-going assessment of project progress, including performance metrics data, as prescribed by Genome Canada and the Genome Centre.
• Final reports
  • Within three months of the completion of the project, each project will be required to submit to its Genome Centre a final report that includes a description of the accomplishments of the project, as well as a detailed financial report in a format determined by Genome Canada.

For more information, visit Genome Alberta.