Financial support program for First Nations, Métis or Inuit graduate students

The research team of the interdisciplinary, inter-university and intersectoral Justice and Mental Health Observatory is a group of researchers, collaborators and partners from different environments working at the intersection between the mental health, justice, public security and community systems. The Observatory aims to facilitate the production and dissemination of knowledge provided by research on populations with mental disorders and in contact with the civil and criminal justice system.

Following its commitment, the Observatory has established a financial support program for the next generation of researchers. In addition to supporting graduate university students in their research efforts, this program aims to enrich the perspectives of knowledge and practice addressed in the group’s programming.

The financial support program for graduate university students – Indigenous is intended for First Nations, Métis or Inuit students enrolled full-time in graduate studies as well as postdoctoral trainees whose research project addresses issues of mental health and judicialization in an Indigenous context.

FINANCING

Financial support, for a period of one year, is $10,000 for any candidate enrolled in higher education (master’s, doctorate, postdoctoral). The recipients will be designated after examining the applications at the end of the competition.

The amounts will be given to recipients in regular installments during the funding year.

CONTEST DEADLINE

Applicants have until March 30, 2025 to complete and submit their request for financial support. An evaluation committee made up of permanent members of the Observatory will then examine the applications.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

The competition is open to students registered full-time for the fall 2024 and winter 2025 sessions in a graduate program, as well as postdoctoral trainees, whose research meets the eligibility criteria of the Quebec Research Fund (Fonds de recherche du Québec)*.

1. Self-identification as being First Nations, Métis or Inuit when submitting your application under this initiative.
   1. If your application is successful, you will be required to provide additional information regarding your citizenship or Indigenous affiliation before you can receive your scholarship.
2. Must be registered from the fall term of 2024 or following terms as a full-time student in graduate studies, or as a postdoctoral intern,
   1. The person must meet one of the following two criteria:
      1. Propose a research project that fits into the research directions of the Justice and Mental Health Observatory and that falls within one of the following research areas:
         1. Prevention and intervention in the community: Response from social, police, community and health services to vulnerable people who exhibit disturbing or disruptive behavior.
         2. Institutional care systems: Response of socio-health care institutions to disruptive behavior, such as in hospital, psychiatric or forensic psychiatric settings.
         3. Knowledge mobilization and transfer: Training, integrated dissemination and knowledge transfer activities linking knowledge from research to clinical practice, case management and adapted intervention.
      2. Would like to develop a project related to the cultural security and/or decolonization of forensic mental health services or correctional services (see below).
   2. Receive support from a referee (research or internship director, if known)
   3. Have a good academic record.

In addition, if the recipient of the scholarship wishes, they will have the opportunity to join an international team (Quebec, British Columbia, Manitoba, Aotearoa New Zealand) focusing on cultural safety in forensic mental health and in correctional services. This international team brings together more than 40 partners, students and researchers from First Nations, Métis, Inuit, and Māori to support the decolonization of forensic mental health institutions. This involvement would be combined with additional funding.

OBLIGATIONS AND COMMITMENTS OF THE CANDIDATE

The recipient of financial support must commit to:

1. Submit, if requested by the research team, a progress report before the end of the grant year;
2. Contribute to the Observatory’s knowledge transfer activities relevant to its research project for the purposes of integration into practice;
3. Take all necessary measures to ensure the completion of the project;
4. Present the results of their work to members of the Observatory, contribute to the team’s publications, and to the dissemination and promotion of the results of their research work;
5. If required by the nature of the activities related to the research project, take steps to obtain the research ethics certificate and provide a copy to the research team after having obtained it.

APPLICATION EVALUATION CRITERIA

1. Excellence of the academic record and demonstration of progression in the academic approach, whether classical or non-linear.
2. Project quality :
   1. In line with the Observatory’s research axes
   2. Originality, clarity and relevance of the research problem
   3. Relevance of the theoretical approach and methodology
3. Potential and estimated impacts on the research and practice communities.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

1. The Observatory’s “application form” with the signature of the research director.
2. Cumulative transcripts for the master’s and doctoral degrees. Cumulative baccalaureate transcripts will be required for master’s students.
3. Curriculum vitae, including a list of relevant publications, academic institutions and programs attended and scholarships and awards obtained (on a separate sheet if necessary).
4. A summary of the research project (1 page).
5. A cover letter specifying the link between the research project and the Observatory’s programming and reporting the progress of the candidate’s academic and professional development (1 page).
6. May be required: a copy of documents attesting to the candidate’s compliance to
   1. the status of student registered in an educational program in a Quebec university establishment
   2. citizenship and/or residence standards as defined by the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (passport, birth certificate, for example)
   3. the status of a person domiciled in Quebec for at least six months, within the meaning of the Health Insurance Act and the Regulation respecting the eligibility and registration of persons with the Régie de l’assurance santé du Québec (health insurance card)

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, OR TO SEND YOUR FILE

Daniela Perrottet, coordinator

Justice and Mental Health Observatory

Department of Research and University Teaching

Philippe-Pinel National Institute of Forensic Psychiatry

observatoire@santementalejustice.ca