Introduction
In November 2023, Evidence for Action (E4A) released the Indigenous-Led Solutions to Advance Health Equity and Wellbeing Call for Proposals (CFP) in support of systems-level inquiry to promote health equity for Indigenous Peoples. In alignment with E4A's mission to fund research addressing racism and colonialism as foundational contributors to health inequities, the CFP acknowledges the unique challenges faced by Indigenous communities as sociopolitical entities experiencing racialization and racism within U.S. systems. Through this CFP, E4A aims to confront the enduring impacts of settler colonialism on Indigenous communities. We recognize both the distinct issues faced by Indigenous Peoples and the interconnected nature of anti-racist and anti-colonial research endeavors.
The CFP's fruition stemmed from a partnership between E4A and a team at John Hopkins Center for Indigenous Health (JHCIH). Collaborating closely, we shaped the CFP, ensuring the integration of voices, perspectives, and expertise from a wide range of Indigenous community members at each stage of the development process.
CFP Development Process
Crafting this CFP was a collaborative endeavor. We embarked on a rigorous process, starting with a comprehensive literature review to better understand the history of colonialism and structural oppression Indigenous Peoples continue to face in what is now known as the U.S. To align the CFP with the current needs and priorities of Indigenous Peoples, JHCIH organized three listening sessions involving 37 participants from across the U.S. and its territories. This diverse group was composed of Indigenous scholars, practitioners, and community members, including both junior and senior scientists and representatives from Indigenous-serving organizations, Tribal Colleges and Universities, and Tribal governments. The sessions were semi-structured, allowing participants space to openly discuss areas of greatest need in their communities, challenges experienced with grant funding systems, and their visions for an ideal CFP. The JHCIH team performed a thematic analysis of the sessions to develop a set of recommendations for the CFP.
Drawing insights from the literature review and listening sessions, E4A’s Strategic Initiatives Manager wrote the initial CFP draft. Subsequent rounds of review by the JHCIH team, along with input and review from 22 Indigenous scholars and community members representing 23 different Indigenous communities, honed the CFP. These reviewers, identified and invited by JHCIH, brought their Indigenous backgrounds, experiences, and expertise in health and Indigenous research practices to the review process.
The input and review process brought forth varied and innovative recommendations for shaping the CFP. Suggestions included:
- Directing grants to Tribal or Indigenous communities versus universities whenever possible;
- Allowing for longer grant durations;
- Acknowledging the need for higher funding levels to facilitate relationship building, trust development, and community feedback processes - all of which are critical to conducting quality research with Indigenous Peoples; and
- Extending the application period to allow time for Tribal or community support and to avoid conflicts with cultural ceremonies.
Other themes included aligning deliverables with Indigenous frameworks, prioritizing dissemination of results to Tribal communities, and removing requirements for traditional Western dissemination, such as written reports or published, peer-reviewed research. Recommendations also supported a tiered funding approach to accommodate diverse partnerships, recognizing the varying stages of research relationship development within Indigenous communities.
Putting Evidence Into Action
In response to the needs highlighted by Indigenous Peoples, E4A adjusted several traditional requirements, policies, and practices for the CFP release. To facilitate relationship building and ensure sufficient time for processes like obtaining Tribal Institutional Review Board approvals and reporting findings to communities, applicants can request up to five years of funding—the longest duration E4A has ever permitted. Two funding tracks were introduced to accommodate varying research relationship stages: Track 1 for communities in the early stages of building research relationships and infrastructure and Track 2 for those with existing research partnerships engaged in sustained endeavors. To direct funds to Tribal or Indigenous communities, Track 1 applicants must be a Tribal entity or Indigenous-Serving Organization. The period for submitting brief proposals spans four months, exceeding our usual deadline-driven CFP timeline by an extra four weeks. The CFP also explicitly prioritizes and acknowledges Indigenous methodologies and ways of knowing.
Since the launch of the CFP, anecdotal feedback from Indigenous researchers has been overwhelmingly positive. One Indigenous researcher wrote to a JHCIH team member and said, “...Did you write that pretty RWJF RFA? That is the most beautifully written RFA I've read, and I had a feeling it might be you ...either way, it's great, thanks for your service, and woohoo!” Another Indigenous scholar commented during the informational webinar: “The thoughtfulness and intentionality for the CFP is the best I have experienced. As a Tlingit woman, I cannot express how experience heals my soul.” Additionally, one reviewer shared, “The CFP was beautifully reflective of our collective insights/comments. I am so happy to have had a chance to read it and provide thoughts to shape it. It's innovative in terms of philosophical approach and also honors the roles Indigenous communities play in the research process. I love how it calls for centering their role more meaningfully. It's been a long time for this kind of effort, and I am happy to be a part of it. I think we will see some very good proposals.” E4A plans to use and incorporate insights gained from developing and releasing this CFP to craft future CFPs, particularly when updating our current open Innovative Research to Advance Racial Equity CFP.
Conclusion
The collaborative efforts of E4A and JHCIH culminated in a thoughtfully crafted CFP, a testament to our successful partnership that incorporated valuable feedback from Indigenous scholars and community members throughout the development process. The final product reflects continuous learning and the pooling of diverse Indigenous expertise. It also represents how to work collaboratively in ways that are salient and meaningful to both the prioritized community and the funding agency. It serves as an example of how strategic efforts to address racism and colonialism can be targeted by ensuring the funding mechanism is a fertile space for the promotion of community driven solutions.
We hope this CFP resonates with Indigenous researchers and communities. For more details, we encourage you to delve into the full funding opportunity, explore our applicant resources, and submit a brief proposal by March 1, 2024 at 3pm Eastern time.