First Nations Environmental Contaminants Program (FNECP)
FNECP
MANDATE OF THE FNECP
The First Nations Environmental Contaminants Program (FNECP) is helping First Nations improve their health and wellbeing by supporting their capacity to identify, investigate, and whenever possible, reduce the impact of exposure to environmental hazards through community-based monitoring, research, risk assessment and risk communication.
GUIDING PRINCIPLES
Community-based participatory research
- Multi-disciplinary approach: Western science and Traditional Knowledge
Equity (gender equity and social, political and economic fairness)
Commitment to the First Nations principles of OCAP
FNECP
HISTORY
First Nations Environmental Contaminants Program (FNECP) was established in 1999 to support First Nations’ engagement in assessing the extent of environmental contaminants exposure and the potential for associated risks to the health and well-being of First Nations communities south of the 60th parallel.
The First Nations Environmental Contaminants Program was designed to address issues of environmental health impact that are common to First Nations across Canada. Over the years the program was co-administered by the Assembly of First Nations (AFNs), and by First Nations University (FNUniv) which led the Selection Committee.
Starting from 2014, the program has been coordinated by the First Nations and Inuit Health Branch (FNIHB) of Health Canada, currently Indigenous Services Canada, in collaboration with regional First Nations organizations across Canada. The program is focused on assisting First Nations in investigation and, whenever necessary and possible, mitigation of the impacts of chemical, biological and radiological hazards on First Nations’ health and well-being. All projects involve community participation in all phases of the research, from the concept development to planning, implementation and reporting. The projects enable communities to identify potential human health risks, to make informed decisions, and initiate risk mitigation and/or remediation actions.
Since 2000, the FNECP funded over 100 projects across Canada, facilitating collaboration and building of trustful relationships between scientifically trained researchers and First Nations communities.
FUNDING OPPORTUNITY
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
Indigenous Services Canada provides funding through the FNECP to help First Nations communities improve their health. The program supports these communities in identifying, investigating and characterizing the impact of exposure to environmental hazards.
Its activities include community-based:
research
monitoring
risk assessment
risk communication
knowledge integration
FUNDING OPPORTUNITY
SPECIAL REQUIREMENT FOR FUNDING
- primary research projects be carried out in partnership with academically trained scientists (a PhD or MSc-level) with a track record of peer-reviewed publications in the field of the proposed project
- knowledge integration projects be carried out in partnership with a project lead with at least a Bachelor’s degree in environmental sciences, health sciences or education
- risk communication projects be carried out in partnership with academically trained experts (at least a MSc or BSc-level) with proven experience in conducting risk communication in the field of the proposed project
FUNDING OPPORTUNITY
WHO CAN APPLY
The groups that can apply for funding include:
First Nations communities (on reserve) and First Nations organizations south of the 60° parallel from:
• Alberta
• Manitoba
• Saskatchewan
• Ontario
• Quebec
• Atlantic Canadabands
- districts
- councils
- tribal councils and associations
- governments of self-governing First Nations communities and regions
First Nations non-government and voluntary associations and organizations (these include non-profit corporations that work on behalf of, or in partnership with, a First Nations community)
* In order to be eligible for funding, First Nation communities have to be recognised under the Indian Act.
* First Nations in British Columbia should apply for funding under the First Nations Health Authority Environmental Contaminants Program.
Contact Information
Contact Information and Funding Application Guide (PDF file) can be accessed through the ISC website:
FNECP
WHAT ARE THE RESEARCH STREAMS?
RESEARCH STREAM
PRIMARY RESEARCH PROPOSALS
This funding stream should:
- Focus on a single issue of concern
- Focus on an environmental hazard identification, investigation and characterization
- Collect sufficient information on both the level(s) of the environmental contaminant(s) of concern in different media (food, water, soil or air) and the human exposure routes
- Be achievable within two years
Selected primary research proposals can receive up to $125,000 per project in funding over two years.
RESEARCH STREAM
KNOWLEDGE INTEGRATION PROPOSALS
This funding stream can be used to support secondary research that integrates existing scientific data and community-based knowledge sources on risk assessment and risk communication of chemical, biological and radiological exposure in First Nations communities.
Selected knowledge integration proposals can receive up to $25,000 per project in funding over one year.
RESEARCH STREAM
RISK COMMUNICATION PROPOSALS
This funding stream can be used for extensive and sophisticated risk communication of the results of previously completed primary research to increase First Nations’ awareness of the new knowledge and its implications for human health.
Selected risk communication proposals can receive up to $25,000 per project in funding over one year.
RESEARCH STREAM
BASELINE ASSESSMENT PROPOSALS ON THE STATE OF HEALTH AND THE ENVIRONMENT (BAPHE)
This new component of the FNECP aims to strengthen First Nations’ capacity to engage in the Impact Assessments process, and will support First Nations interested in assessing the baseline health and environment status of their community prior to the implementation of planned large-scale industrial projects on their traditional territories, when such projects may have potential health impacts on the community. This Program supports projects for the maximum length of two years.
Selected research proposals can receive up to $125,000 per project in funding over two years.
What Contaminants Are Included
Any chemical or biological contaminants that are of concern to First Nations communities can be included in your proposal, based on potential human health risk due to exposure.
This risk must be articulated and justified in the proposal.
How to Apply
- Review the FNECP Call for Proposal that is released every year
- Develop relationship with academic partners
- Apply for the funding before the deadline