Stream 1: Innovative Projects


The Innovative Projects stream funds existing projects or serves as seed funding for initiatives that will look to be sustained by implementing units/Faculties. Cost-shared initiatives are welcomed.

Seed funding is for new initiatives that will advance the Faculty or unit’s Indigenous strategy, achievement and enhancement goals with the potential to scale beyond the unit in the future. The sustainment of these projects will be the ongoing responsibility of the implementing Faculty(ies) or unit(s) through ordinary budget processes in future years.

It is important that this funding not act as a substitute for core funding from Faculties and units. The implementation of the ISP is the responsibility of everyone at UBC and as such Faculties and units are expected to develop and set aside their own funds for their ISP initiatives/projects.

Possible proposal examples for Stream 1 may include, but are not limited to:

  • Development of new policies, strategies, and practices
  • Professional development initiatives that further faculty and staff perspectives and understanding of Indigenous histories, ways of knowing and worldviews
  • Initiatives that enhance partnerships with Indigenous communities in the area of student research or curriculum development

There are two stages to the application process for this stream. First, a Letter of Intent (LOI) must be submitted. Then, if the LOI is successful, the applicant will be invited to submit a full application.

Second round support

All applicants are encouraged to collaborate. The ISI funding process is predicated on the principle of relationality rather than competition. This process is set up with the intention to break down silos and further the learning of the applicants.

Information Sessions:

October 10, 2023, on Zoom. Register here.

November 8, 2023, on Zoom. Register here.

November 28, 2023, on Zoom. Register here.

December 6, 2023, on Zoom. Register here.

December 12, 2023, on Zoom. Register here.

Eligibility

  • Department, unit, or Faculty level scale and impact
  • Principal applicant: UBCV/O faculty, staff and/or post-docs. Post-docs must plan to be at UBC for at least one-year of the implementation cycle. If the Principal Applicant is a student, please apply to Stream 3: Student-led Projects.
  • Co-applicant(s): UBCV/O faculty, staff, post-docs and/or students (cross-campus collaboration is strongly encouraged) and community partners who have provided their informed consent to participate in the project. If Principal Applicant is in a post-doctoral role, there must be a faculty member as co-applicant who has provided their informed consent to participate in the project.
  • The applicants are required to have completed the ISP Self-Assessment Tool at the LOI stage.
  • Proposals must be approved and signed-off by the applicable department / unit head or Dean prior to submission.
  • If more than one unit is involved (e.g., partnership between units or campuses), signatures from all associated Dean / Director / University Librarian / Administrative Unit Heads are required, and a lead unit identified to receive the funds and be responsible for reporting.
  • For proposals that detail partnerships, partner endorsements are required for your application to be successful. Letters of endorsement are only needed if the proposal reaches the second stage.
  • Please note that if funding is meant to cover the costs of direct research or a research-driven project, the ISI Fund is not intended to provide such support. Please email isp.funding@ubc.ca for further inquiries.

Adjudication Criteria

Strategic alignment

Your proposed project or initiative must align with and advance any of the 43 actions of the Indigenous Strategic Plan (ISP).

Relationality and collaboration

Proposals must demonstrate relationality as an element of their proposed project. This may mean interconnectivity between teams within a unit or collaboration with other units across UBC, or working with Indigenous students, faculty, staff or communities.

Project impact

A project that can achieve the desired outcomes in the funding duration, or at least provide a pilot / test of a new program.

Transformative potential

The proposal demonstrates the ability to grow, scale-up and effect change at a wider, transformative level[1].

Feasibility and clarity

The proposal provides a clear project description, scope and plan.

Measurement of outcomes

The proposal includes a robust evaluation plan, including well-defined, measurable and achievable project outcomes (qualitative and / or quantitative).

Cost-effectiveness

The proposed budget is reasonable, aligned with the work plan and includes a clear justification for all costs associated with the project. Where feasible, the project includes cash/in-kind commitments from other sources.

Sustainability

The proposal includes a reasonable and achievable sustainment plan for after the funding ends. A letter of support from the unit or Faculty head is required, committing to the sustainment of the project based on merit review.

[1] Transformative change can be defined as “change that challenges, alters and/or replaces established (and/or dominant) institutions.

Funding Limits

Projects can request between $30K – $100K over the life of the project, and can run from one to two years.

Submission Guidelines

  • Applicants must submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) by 3:00 p.m. on Friday, January 12, 2024 through the online application system, and respect the character limit associated with each section. Support will be provided through information and consultation sessions throughout the application process. You can also reach out to isp.funding@ubc.ca with any questions.
  • Applicants that are successful in passing the LOI stage of the process will be invited to take part in second round support sessions. All applicants will be brought together to discuss their proposals collectively and look for potential areas of intersection and for collaboration. The ISI funding process is predicated on the principle of relationality rather than competition. This process is set up with the intention to break down silos and further the learning of the applicants.
  • LOIs deemed to best fit the overall criteria of the ISP call will be invited to the second stage of the application process to submit a full proposal. Applicants must submit a full application by the deadline through the online application system, and respect the character limit associated with each section.

Templates

All applications must be submitted through SM Apply. A template of the application form is available here: