The Indigenous Strategic
Initiatives Fund
Implementing the Indigenous Strategic Plan (ISP)
The Indigenous Strategic Initiatives (ISI) Fund supports implementation of the Indigenous Strategic Plan (ISP). Funds are available to support projects that advance UBC’s ISP across both the Vancouver and Okanagan campuses.
Across three years of funding, $8.0m was available for projects from faculty, staff and students seeking to advance the ISP at UBC. In 2024-2025, an estimated $500,000.00 is available to ISI Fund applicants.
Funding Streams
In 2024, Indigenous Strategic Initiatives (ISI) funding is allocated across two funding streams.
Process & Timelines
The ISI Fund launches annually each winter with adjudication occurring the following spring.
Support
You can join an info session, request a consultation, read the FAQs or email isp.funding@ubc.ca for further inquiries.
Guiding Principles
The implementation of the ISP is guided by a set of guiding principles that also guide the ISI Fund.
Frequently
Asked
Questions
How was the ISI funding call developed?
The ISI Funding call was designed with wide engagement across UBC. Final decisions on the guidelines were made by the Indigenous Strategic Plan Executive Advisory Committee.
Who is eligible to apply to the ISI Fund?
UBCV and UBCO students, faculty, staff and post-doctoral fellows are all eligible.
A UBC undergraduate or graduate student may submit an ISI application as the Principal Applicant to Student Led Projects, as long as they have a UBC faculty or staff member as Co-Applicant who has provided their informed consent to participate in the project. Students may also be Co-Applicants on proposals submitted by faculty, staff or post-doctoral fellows to the Faculty and Staff Led Project Stream.
UBC staff can submit an application to the Faculty and Staff Led Project Stream.
Sessional lecturers or lecturers can submit an application to the Faculty and Staff Led Project Stream. All sessional instructors/lecturers must have an active appointment at the time the funding decisions are being made (Summer 2025).
Post-doctoral fellows may apply as Principal Applicant to the Faculty and Staff Led Project Stream. However, a faculty member must sign as Co-Applicant to the project and provide their informed consent to participate.
What are the key requirements for all ISI Fund projects?
Please visit the ISP website for adjudication criteria for each stream.
Can I hire students to support my ISI Fund project?
Yes, you may hire students to support your project in line with usual UBC policies and procedures. Note: Teaching Assistant costs will not be covered.
Should these initiatives be BC-based, or could they have a national or even global focus?
UBC’s Indigenous Strategic Plan (ISP) illustrates the various relationships that UBC engages in locally and globally. Therefore, proposals with local, national, or even international focus, are welcome.
How do I submit my proposal?
Through the online application portal.
Can I submit an application without the approval of my Department Head or Dean?
For Faculty and Staff Led Projects, your LOI can be submitted without the approval of your Department Head or Dean. However, applications which advance to the final application stage will need written approval from the Department Head or Dean.
For Student Led Projects, advance approval is not needed from the Department Head or Dean.
When do I submit a progress report?
Project leads are required to provide milestone report every six months providing an overview of their progress. Project leads are also required to provide a financial report with their report.
We honour, celebrate and thank the xʷməθkʷəy̓ əm (Musqueam) and Syilx Okanagan peoples on whose territories the main campuses of the University of British Columbia have the privilege to be situated.