The NSERC Indigenous Student Ambassadors (NISA) grant supports Indigenous students and postdoctoral researchers in promoting interest and participation in the natural sciences and engineering (NSE) by visiting Indigenous communities and schools across Canada.

Ambassadors could, for example, share their research and education experiences at an information booth during a community event or Powwow, or lead hands-on science outreach activities at a workshop for youth in the community.

NSERC is acting on the evidence that achieving a more equitable, diverse and inclusive Canadian research enterprise is essential to creating the excellent, innovative and impactful research necessary to advance knowledge and understanding, and to respond to local, national and global challenges. This principle informs the commitments described in the Tri-agency statement on equity, diversity and inclusion.

To apply, you must meet all of the following requirements:

• be registered at a Canadian postsecondary institution, polytechnic, college or CEGEP in the natural sciences or engineering, or have been registered last term and plan to return next term to one of those institutions to continue studies in the natural sciences or engineering, or be a postdoctoral researcher at a Canadian postsecondary institution in the natural sciences or engineering
• self-identify as Indigenous at the time of application for the purposes of this initiative
• adhere to the Tri-agency Policy on Indigenous Citizenship and Membership Affirmation and the associated directive if selected for an award

To be considered for this grant, you must submit all of the following documents:

• a completed application form with your signature on the final page
• a letter of reference from your supervisor, other faculty member or senior staff at your institution, confirming your skills and aptitudes for becoming an Indigenous Student Ambassador
• a letter or email from the Indigenous community or school you plan to visit, confirming the proposed arrangements
• a self-identification questionnaire*

* At the time of application, you will be asked to self-identify as Indigenous by completing the self-identification questionnaire. You will also be asked to consent to NSERC using this information as part of your application to the NISA program. For the role, select Applicant. For the ID field, enter your NSERC PIN or write Unknown.

Submit your application electronically using NSERC’s ICSP secure submission site. Your application must be submitted as a single PDF file.

The agencies have adopted the Tri-agency Policy on Indigenous Citizenship and Membership Affirmation and the associated directive. If you are selected for an award, you will be asked to provide documentation to support your affirmation of Indigenous citizenship or membership before receiving your award.

The grant covers costs associated with the proposed natural science or engineering outreach activity and your visit to an Indigenous community or school. Eligible expenses include your:

• travel (air, rail, car rental, taxi, etc.)
• accommodation (hotel, etc.)
• meals
• materials and supplies needed for the outreach activity
• event hosting (refreshments, renting the facility, renting audiovisual equipment, short-term video conferencing subscriptions, etc.)
• event promotion (photocopying, social media advertising, etc.)

The value of the grant will be based on the budget proposed in your application, up to a maximum of $5,000. You may hold only one NISA grant per fiscal year (April 1 to March 31).

NSERC will review applications using the following criteria:

• impact and reach of the proposal
• anticipated value to Indigenous youth and the Indigenous community
• feasibility of the proposal

There are no fixed deadlines for this grant. You must submit your application between two and six months before the start of your proposed outreach activity. Grants will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.

Before submitting your application to NSERC, you must read and agree to the terms and conditions in the application form. You are responsible for keeping a copy of the agreed terms and conditions for your records.

NSERC will notify you of the results of your application by email within one month of receiving it.

You must provide NSERC with a final report after completing the activities supported by the grant. NSERC will include reporting instructions with your notification of results letter. You do not need to submit original receipts for expenses, but you must keep them. NSERC reserves the right to request receipts at a later date.