Nursing in Indigenous Research in Action (NIRA) Chairs

The NIRA Chairs program supports Indigenous-led and community-driven nursing research across Canada.

NIRA Chairs 2027 builds on the success of the 2019 Indigenous Research Chairs in Nursing (IRCN) initiative. The program includes mentorship, networking, and knowledge sharing opportunities, all grounded in Indigenous self-determination, relational accountability, and the priorities identified by First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities.

Led by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Institute of Indigenous Peoples’ Health (IIPH), this initiative is guided by the understanding that nurses are central to health-care delivery and are well positioned to support health systems that are culturally safe, anti-racist, gender-responsive, distinctions-based, and accountable to Indigenous communities.

• Funding

  A total of $15,275,000 is available to support the 13 Chairs. Each Chair will receive $1,175,000 over five years beginning on August 1, 2027.

  Program Structure

  The NIRA Chairs 2027 program will support one Chair in each of Canada's 13 provinces and territories through two funding streams:

  • Stream A: Provides renewal funding for three 2019 Indigenous Research Chairs in Nursing (IRCN) Chairs (British Columbia, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan).
  • Stream B: Establishes ten new NIRA Chairs of First Nations, Inuit, and/or Métis ancestry in provinces and territories not included in Stream A. That includes: Alberta, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and Yukon.

  These two funding streams will support research, including patient-oriented research, that advances health policy, practice, education, administration, regulation, and/or nursing standards for First Nations, Inuit, and/or Métis Peoples living in rural, remote, northern, and/or urban areas across Canada.

• Eligibility

  The Nominated Principal Applicant (NPA) must:

  • be a nurse
  • hold, at minimum, a Master’s degree
  • be one of the following by the funding start date:
    • an independent researcher or a knowledge user affiliated with a Canadian postsecondary institution and/or its affiliated institutions (including hospitals, research institutes, or other non-profit organizations with a mandate for health research and/or knowledge translation) at the time of funding.
    • an individual affiliated with an Indigenous non-governmental, not-for-profit organization in Canada with a research and/or knowledge translation mandate.
  • self-identify as First Nations, Inuit, and/or Métis; and
  • provide evidence of meaningful, culturally safe, and community-accountable involvement with Indigenous Peoples, communities, organizations, or health systems.

  For the full list of requirements and definitions visit ResearchNet.

• Important Dates

  Application deadline: February 2, 2027
  Notice of decision: July 15, 2027
  Funding start date: August 1, 2027

• Partners

  • CIHR Institute of Circulatory and Respiratory Health (ICRH)
  • CIHR Institute of Gender and Health (IGH)
  • CIHR Institute of Human Development, Child and Youth Health (IHDCYH)
  • CIHR Institute of Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis (IMHA)
  • CIHR Institute of Population and Public Health (IPPH)
  • CIHR Strategy for Patient-Oriented Research (SPOR)
  • First Nations Health Authority
  • Fonds de recherche du Québec (FRQ)
  • Government of Newfoundland and Labrador and Memorial University (MUN)
  • Research Manitoba
  • Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation (SHRF)

  Additional partners may be added in the future.

• Resources

  CIHR will be hosting webinar(s) to inform participants about the requirements of this funding opportunity and to answer questions. To find out more information and to register, visit the Webinars page.

  When: Tuesday, October 13, 2026 at 12:30 PM ET | Register
  Duration: 90 minutes
  Language: English presentation followed by a period of questions and answers in both official languages, English and French.

  Institutional eligibility

  • Institutional Eligibility to Administer CIHR Grant and Award Funds

  If you have questions about becoming an eligible institution, please contact IIPH at IIPH.ISA@cihr-irsc.gc.ca.

• Submit your Application

  Applications must be submitted through the online application portal ResearchNet.

• Past Recipients

  Indigenous Research Chairs in Nursing Initiative

  Chairs

  • Amélie Blanchet Garneau: Promoting Indigenous health equity and culturally safe health care through decolonizing nursing education and practice – Quebec
  • Lisa Bourque Bearskin: Advancing Indigenous Wellness by Reconciling Parallel Pathways in Indigenous Health Nursing: Innovating Wise Practices for Education, Standards, Partnerships, and Research – British Columbia
  • Holly A Graham: wahkohtowin (We are All Related) – Saskatchewan
  • Jason Hickey: Indigenous Research Chair in Nursing, New Brunswick – New Brunswick
  • Margot A Latimer: Advancing Indigenous Health Nursing Research, Education and Practice by Mobilizing Indigenous Knowledge and Strengthening Partnerships – Nova Scotia
  • Wanda Phillips-Beck: Mentoring Nurse leaders and researchers in Indigenous health grounded in culturally and equity-informed approaches to research and education – Manitoba