SSHRC – Invitation – 2026 Policy Review of Tri-Agency Policy on Indigenous Citizenship and Membership Affirmation
In 2023, Canada’s federal granting agencies – the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), and the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) – began the process of engaging with Indigenous partners to support the development of the Tri-Agency Policy on Indigenous Citizenship and Membership Affirmation (TPICMA) and its associated Directive. As a key deliverable under the Setting New Directions to Support Indigenous Research and Research Training in Canada, the Policy establishes a process through which applicants from First Nations, Métis and Inuit collectives can affirm their citizenship or membership for funding opportunities that are dedicated to them.
As noted in the Policy and drawn from the collective feedback we received during engagement, the agencies committed to a full policy review within two years. In the coming months, internal and external engagement activities will be conducted through a variety of methods — including an online survey, focus groups and listening sessions, and a written submission period.
We are hoping to engage with you again based on our previous conversations on this topic through one or more of the following options:
- First, we’re happy to share with you the survey. The objective of the survey component of the engagement is to better understand perspectives, lived experiences, and considerations related to the Policy and its associated Directive — as well as their implementation — to inform potential revisions to the Policy. This survey closes on July 3rd, 2026.
- Secondly, the Indigenous Strategy Division is inviting you to participate in a focus group session. Alternatively, you may also wish to schedule an individual listening session with us. In either case, the intent is to gather dialogue based on the Policy and Directive generally and in reference to particular areas of focus identified. Please contact the Indigenous Strategy Division (Indigenous-Autochtone@sshrc-crsh.gc.ca) to schedule your session before July 17th, 2026.
We also invite written submissions about any reflections on the Policy to be submitted no later than July 31st, 2026. Attached is a PDF document with specific details on the parameters for the written submission. If you have any questions, please contact the Indigenous Strategy Division (Indigenous-Autochtone@sshrc-crsh.gc.ca).