New funding announced for Indigenous health research network
The Network Environments for Indigenous Health Research (NEIHR) have received $37.6 million over five years from the federal government through the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR).
By Research Profile and ImpactThe funding, announced on Oct. 9, will serve as a renewal of NEIHR centres across the country, including the Saskatchewan centre featuring University of Saskatchewan (USask) researchers.
Dr. Robert Henry (PhD), an associate professor in the Department of Indigenous Studies in the College of Arts and Science at USask is the nominated principal investigator for Saskatchewan NEIHR and a co-lead with the NEIHR National Coordinating Centre. He emphasized the importance of continued support for this kind of research in Canada.
“The NEIHR centres are independent, Indigenous-led networks that provide supportive research environments for Indigenous health research driven by, and grounded in, Indigenous communities in Canada,” Henry said in a statement. “This funding renewal means we can continue to support our community partners, our researchers, and our trainees in addressing complex issues in community and with community.”
NEIHR programs across Canada are intended to connect and support researchers, Indigenous leaders and community members in community-based research to improve Indigenous health. The research undertaken with NEIHR incorporates Indigenous ways of knowing, community-based knowledge and “scientifically excellent” health research, per the CIHR release.
There are nine NEIHR Centres in regions throughout the country that will be supported by this investment. This new funding will also support NEIHR’s expansion into the Yukon.
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