SUB-PROJECT GUIDELINES ( ) (Released April 6, 2016)

Transcription

1 Local and Traditional Knowledge in Watershed Governance SUB-PROJECT GUIDELINES ( ) (Released April 6, 2016) SUMMARY Tracking Change: Local and Traditional Knowledge in Watershed Governance is a six-year research program funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council and led by the University of Alberta, Mackenzie River Basin Board, and the Government of the Northwest Territories in collaboration with many other valued Aboriginal organization partners and universities. The broad goal of the project is to create opportunities to collaboratively document and share local and traditional knowledge (LTK) about socialecological change in the Mackenzie River Basin, Lower Mekong, and Lower Amazon Basins and determine its role in watershed governance. In , the project will fund 8-10 community-based and collaborative research activities in the Mackenzie River Basin that deal with all or some of following themes and priorities: 1 Themes and Priorities for Tracking Change Sub-Projects in historical and contemporary observations and perceptions of conditions and change in the health of the aquatic environment (e.g., water quality, quantity, flow, groundwater, permafrost conditions); historical and contemporary observations and perceptions of conditions and change in fish species (population, movements, diversity, invasive species) and other aquatic species (e.g., geese, beaver); sustainability of fishing livelihoods (e.g., harvesting levels and practices, diet, health, access issues, perceptions of change in the health of valued fish species); implications of change for governance (e.g., how to maintain healthy relationships to the aquatic ecosystem, maintaining respectful and spiritual relationships, respecting treaty rights); Applications will be accepted from Aboriginal organizations that are partners of Tracking Change, 2 and that are working in collaboration with one or more academics from a partner university (see table - pg 3). 1 These priorities were recommended in a workshop with the NWT Water Stewardship Strategy Aboriginal 2 Aboriginal organization partners of the Tracking Change project are those Aboriginal governments, organizations and co-management boards who provided a letter of support for the funding application to the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (2014) including acknowledgement of the Principles of Partnership. Other Aboriginal organizations can be added as partners by i) by being nominated by an existing Partner or member of the MRRB Traditional Knowledge and Strengthening Partnerships Committee, and ii) becoming a signatory to the Guiding Principles of Collaboration (Appendix B Terms of Reference). To be considered for funding, Aboriginal organizations who are not currently listed as a Partner and wish to apply for funding should complete the full application and attach a letter of nomination and a letter of support for the Tracking Change Guiding Principles of Collaboration. 1

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3 Recommendations for Applications (Decision-Making Criteria): The following recommendations should be taken into consideration by those applying for funding: 1. Aboriginal Organization and University Collaboration The funding for the Tracking Change project has been provided by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) which is a funding source that emphasizes the involvement of graduate students from Canadian universities. Applications are encouraged that demonstrate collaboration between Aboriginal organizations and academics from Canadian universities (faculty and graduate students). Academic leads from the Tracking Change project can provide capacity (students, expertise, training opportunities), and create opportunities for the development of sub-basin projects, basin-wide research activities, and local-global knowledge mobilization. The academic partners are: Sub-Basin Academic Contact: Contact Information: Peel River / Mackenzie Delta Trevor Lantz tlantz@uvic.ca University of Victoria Mackenzie/Great Bear Brenda Parlee - bparlee@ualberta.ca University of Alberta Slave Sonia Wesche - swesche@uottawa.ca University of Ottawa Peace and Liard Brenda Parlee bparlee@ualberta.ca Val Napoleon napoleon@uvic.ca University of Alberta University of Victoria Athabasca David Natcher - david.natcher@usask.ca Shalene Jobin - sjobin@ualberta.ca University of Saskatchewan University of Alberta * Jennifer Fresque Baxter may also be contacted related to the development of any proposals in the Northwest Territories. Jennifer_Fresque-Baxter@gov.nt.ca ** Note that Val Napoleon is currently on a leave of absence. For this call for proposals, inquiries about proposal development in the Peace and Liard should be directed to Brenda Parlee APPLICANTS are REQUIRED to contact one or more of the academic leads by April 30 h 2016 and complete the Notice of Intent on our website This will help us determine who is working on proposals and enable us to assist you with the application process. Full Applications are due no later than May 30, Applications may be accepted earlier than May 15, Working Across Cultural, Political and Ecological Boundaries Research proposals are encouraged from Aboriginal partner organizations who are developing research activities that are inclusive of other Aboriginal organizations (e.g., communities, co-management boards) within and across sub-basins of the Mackenzie River Basin. 3. On the Land Activities and Broad Community Participation including Youth Research that takes place on the land can contribute to both the documentation and sharing of knowledge as well as its further development and use by communities. Youth involvement is particularly important to ensure Local and Traditional Knowledge is passed on to future generations. For this reason, applications are encouraged that include on-the-land activities (e.g., fish camps, river trips, river gatherings, canoe trips) and are inclusive of a diversity of community members, including youth. 4. Sharing of Local and Traditional Knowledge Tracking Change supports the principles of OCAP (ownership, control, access and possession) and the local/regional intellectual property rights guidelines (e.g., Traditional Knowledge Policies) of the Aboriginal organization partners and Local and Traditional Knowledge holders (e.g., elders). At the same time, the ultimate aim of the project is to create knowledge sharing opportunities for Aboriginal partner organizations and to create an improved and holistic understanding of the Mackenzie River Basin. Applications are encouraged that clearly indicate what and how knowledge from the sub-project will be shared with other members of the Project Team, including other Aboriginal organizations. Applications are discouraged that focus on themes and issues that are considered confidential. 3

4 5. Funding from Other Sources - The maximum available funding from this program for each sub-project is $25,000 / per year (1-2 years). Applications are encouraged that indicate funding (cash/in kind) has been secured from elsewhere. Example: For a project receiving $25,000 in funding, a possible budget could be: Community researcher and Graduate Student salaries $10,000 Research Travel $5,000 (we suggest also applying for NSTP for assistance with student travel) Community Researcher $5,000 Translation $1,000 Venue and equipment rental $3,000 Knowledge dissemination $1,000 GENERAL GUIDELINES 1. Applications must be received by May by to basin@ualberta.ca 2. Funds provided through this program will normally be up to a maximum of $25,000 for one year. 3 Only SSHRC related expenses are allowable (e.g., local travel, publication, student and community researcher salaries, technical support including translation). 3. Our consideration of the application does not constitute acceptance of proposal for funding. 4. Decisions about the funding will be granted on the basis of the merit of individual applications, and potential contribution to the Tracking Change project. 5. All proposals received will be treated as confidential and due diligence will be exercised to maintain the applicants confidentiality. 6. Applications will be evaluated according to the following criteria: Degree to which the proposal addresses the stated Research Themes and Priorities (pg.1); Degree to which the application has considered recommendations for applications (pg. 3); General Potential of the proposal to contribute to a holistic understanding of social-ecological change in the Mackenzie River Basin; OUR DECISION-MAKING PROCESS: 1. Proposals will be reviewed by the MRRB Traditional Knowledge and Strengthening Partnerships Committee, who will provide recommendations to the Project Director and Management Committee. The decision for funding will be made by the Traditional Knowledge Steering Committee and the Executive Committee of the Tracking Change project. At its own discretion, the Traditional Knowledge Steering Committee may require further information in their review of applications. 2. Decisions will be communicated in writing through a Notice of Award to successful applicants in 2 to 4 weeks of the closing date for submissions. 3. At the discretion of the MRRB Traditional Knowledge and Strengthening Partnerships Committee, the amount of award may or may not be the same as the amount requested in the proposal. 4. Grant funds may be used only for the project and purposes described in the application, subject to any special conditions given in the Notice of Award. 6. Normally grant funding will be provided for the period of time indicated in the applicants request. The term may be extended upon written request to the Management Committee Chair. As these grants are intended as a supplemental research fund you should have other support (in-kind or cash contributions) from other sources. The Committee will consider all expenditures for research activities fully justified and appropriate to a given discipline, subject to the use of grant funding listed in the Tri-Agency Financial Administration Guide If you have any questions on these, you can contact your regional academic lead. You can also see for more details. 4

5 7. Any expenses incurred by the project partnership above the total grant will be the responsibility of the project partnership. 8. An award may be terminated with or without notice if conditions are not observed. Unspent funds must be returned to the Tracking Change project budget if the award is terminated. Notice of termination of an award will be sent to the Academic Lead, who will be responsible for informing all others or involved in the project. REPORTING Reporting by the Applicants Following the notice of award, reporting is required from applicants as follows: Report 1 Detailed Plan Those applications which lack detail (E.g., about number of community participants involved, location of fish camps etc.) will be asked for additional details within 2 months of the award date. Report 2 Ethics Approvals and Research Licenses Projects involving university academics and graduate students must submit evidence of ethics board approval as per SSHRC Guidelines. Report 3 Final Report (including financial report) at the end of the project or the end of the term of the award. A final report should include a summary of research outcomes and where possible, detailed outcomes that can contribute to a bigger picture understanding of the Mackenzie River Basin as a whole. Where a university is involved, a final financial report (SSHRC Statement of Account - Form 300) will be required from the grant holder (academic lead). The information in these reports will form the basis of the annual reports from the Tracking Change project to the funding agency (SSHRC) and will be factors in whether funding in subsequent years is approved. SHARING OF RESEARCH OUTCOMES: 1. Plain Language Summary - Following approval of the project, a one-page summary in plain language will be developed by our office for posting on the website trackingchange.ca 2. Research Agreements between Aboriginal Organizations and Academics - The Aboriginal organizations, communities and academic researchers are encouraged to develop an agreement about ownership, control, access and possession of the data (OCAP) to clarify details of how knowledge will be collected, stored interpreted and shared. 3. Sharing of Results with other Partners and the Public - Respecting local policies and OCAP-related agreements between Aboriginal organizations and lead academics, the outcomes of the project will be owned by the subproject applicants (e.g., community organization, lead academics, student). However, given the intent of the project is to create opportunities for communities to share knowledge with one another and the public about social-ecological change in the Mackenzie River Basin, it is critical to all partners that some/all outcomes of the sub-projects are shared. All reports and data will be appropriately referenced in any related reports. Applications are discouraged that focus on themes and issues that are considered confidential. 4. Confidentiality Throughout the research process, it is anticipated there may be some concerns arising around confidentially (e.g., of interviewees). As per of the Terms of Reference of the Tracking Change project (see website), all partners and academics involved in the project agree to respect each other in a manner that is professional and culturally appropriate. It is the responsibility of the knowledge holder and/or academic to highlight data, issues, or discussions that should remain confidential. Barring instances of illegality, it is the responsibility of other members of the Project Team to respect these interests and demonstrate due diligence in clarifying any ambiguities. In instances where there is ambiguity (i.e., it is unclear), academics and other members of the Project Team will assume the information is confidential. 5

6 5. Academic Publication - Following approval of the final research report, project partners are strongly encouraged to disseminate their findings as widely as possible (e.g., through academic publication). Subsequent applications for funding will only be considered if the required reports have been submitted by the established deadlines. 6. Any publication based on the research conducted with funding from the project must clearly state this source for support as per the normal SSHRC funding requirements. The following statement must appear on all public documents: This research was financially supported by the Tracking Change research program which is funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC). The opinions of the authors found herein do not necessarily reflect those of SSHRC or other partners and team members of the project. Where appropriate, the Tracking Change name and logo, and the SSHRC logo must be displayed on the front page of any dissemination materials of the research project. Tracking Change website: Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC): For more information, contact: Elaine Maloney, Knowledge Mobilization Coordinator Tracking Change Project Resource Economics and Environmental Sustainability (REES) Faculty of Agriculture, Life, and Environmental Sciences (ALES) GSB 566, University of Alberta basin@ualberta.ca 6