The purpose of the Indigenous Curriculum Grant is to advance the implementation of Western’s ISP, specifically the Indigenous Strategic Priorities of ‘Excelling in Indigenous teaching, curriculum and learning’, and ‘Strengthening Indigenous community partnerships and connections.

In keeping with these strategic priorities, Western invites proposals for one time, two year grants up to a maximum of $40,000 ($20,000 per year) that will support the advancement of innovation in Indigenous learning in formal curriculum offerings at Western.

 

Potential Initiatives may include:

*Proposals must demonstrate direct ties to formal curriculum outcomes at programmatic levels that will be instituted in ongoing and sustainable ways

All Western Faculties (departments, schools, and academic programs) are invited to submit proposals to receive funding. All proposals must be reviewed and endorsed by a letter of support from the applicable Dean and Department Chair. If more than one academic unit is involved (e.g., partnership between academic units), signatures from all associated academic unit heads (a Dean and Chairs from each unit) are required, and a lead unit must be identified to receive the funds and be responsible for financial reporting.

Proposals must be submitted using the application format guidelines below. Applications must be submitted via email by the deadline May 30, 2022 to indigenousinitiatives@uwo.ca adding “Indigenous Curriculum Grant” to the email subject line.

Potential applicants are encouraged to review the resources provided in the final section of this document, and to attend an information session to learn more about the application process and criteria.

The Office of Indigenous Initiatives’ Indigenous Curriculum and Pedagogy Advisor and the Centre for Teaching and Learning’s Educational Developers are available to assist applicants with questions; however we respectfully ask that you contact the Offices as early as possible in the application process when accessing supports. All proposals will be adjudicated by a Committee Chaired by myself. Members of the Selection Committee will include Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples, including the VP (Academic) or designate, and Indigenous teaching fellow.

Indigenous Curriculum Grant Call for Proposals	March 1, 2022
Online Information Sessions (2)	March 21, 2022 / May 11 2022* *postponed, new date: May 12
Application Deadline	May 30, 2022
Adjudication by Committee	May 31 – June 10
Notification to Successful Applicants	June 13
Release of Funds	July 1
Deadline to complete Proposed Initiative	within 2 years depending on the proposal timeline
Submission of Final Report	1 month after project ends

Register here for March 21, 2022 (12pm-1pm) Information Session I

Register here for new date: May 12, 2022 (12pm-1pm) Information Session II 

 

Priority will be given to initiatives that:

Successful grants will be required to submit a final report detailing outcomes and spending against budget with two years of receipt.  Successful grants will also be required to participate in knowledge transfer initiatives with the goal of sharing best practices.

RESOURCES

1. Brief description to identify the academic lead and team members that will be part of the curriculum process (200 words)
2. Brief description of the academic program under consideration (provide brief history, high level offerings and identify gaps and opportunities for Indigenous and decolonial inclusions in the curriculum) (200 words).
3. Summary of the proposed curriculum process including main activities, timeline, roles and responsibilities, and potential formal curriculum outcomes that could emerge (500 words)
4. Describe how this curriculum initiative will contribute and expand Indigenization and/or decolonizing processes at Western, including:
   1. What are the current and potential areas for curriculum expansion/exploration, and how are they tied to TRC and Indigenous perspectives?
   2. How are Indigenous voices informing the curriculum process?
   3. How have Indigenous community/communities been engaged in conceptualizing this plan? Do you plan to engage other experts in the field? If so, who are they, and how will they be engaged?
   4. What are the plans to ensure the successful delivery and evaluation of the curriculum occurs? (500 words)
5. Describe how the proposed curriculum change plan aligns with the evaluation criteria. (200 words)
6. Describe the Faculty, school or program’s commitment to ensuring the long-term sustainability of the Indigenous curriculum beyond the funding period, including commitment to ongoing resources (for example, covering the costs of travel to a community as part of a field course partnership). (200 words)
7. Provide a detailed budget, including other funds from different sources that will contribute to this proposal process. Explicitly outline in-kind contributions.
8. Describe how the proposed initiative will be evaluated and measured in terms of how it defines and measures learning outcomes and assessment. (200 words)
9. A knowledge mobilization plan that outlines how this initiative will be disseminated within and/or beyond Western or any other relevant information related to the proposed initiative. (200 words)