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Head & Heart Program

The Head and Heart Indigenous Research Fellowship program (H&H) is a two-year summer research programme (May to July in each of two years) geared toward Indigenous upper year undergraduate students at Western. This Fellowship will prepare students to undertake research at the graduate level and/or in an applied community-based research context. During the first year, Fellows undertake in-person coursework in research fundamentals, participate in experiential and land-based learning, network, and learn about research opportunities at Western. In the second year, Fellows are paired with Western faculty supervisors from across different disciplines to work on new or existing research projects.    

To support Indigenous student learning while increasing their participation in graduate studies, Fellows come together to learn in a non-hierarchal community-setting guided by experts towards specific learning activities and objectives. Fellows will connect with Faculty members, staff, and Indigenous graduate students as mentors on research topics such as Indigenous research ethics (e.g., TCPS2), Indigenous cultural and intellectual property rights, Indigenous research methodologies, community-based research practices, and a wide range of skills (e.g., how to build a CV) linked to academic research and Indigenous scholarship.    

H&H operates in close partnership and collaboration with Indigenous and allied faculty members from Social Sciences, Education, Arts & Humanities, Information & Media Studies, Music, Law, Science, Health Sciences, Engineering, Ivey Business School, and the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry.

Established in 2018, the Fellowship responds directly to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action 62 to 65, which concern “Education for Reconciliation” by employing Indigenous knowledge and epistemologies to drive learning and research. Further, the program has helped significantly to advance the 8 strategic directions of  Western’s Indigenous Strategic Plan (2016) and its institutional strategic plan, Towards Western at 150 (2021).

Applications for 2024 are now open (Deadline March 18 4:30pm)

How to apply 

To apply for a Fellowship, visit the H&H website.
Applications from Western’s Indigenous Students are encouraged and no research experience is required. Western is an inclusive environment. Please advise if you require any specific accommodation (e.g., medical, disability) to participate in any aspect of the selection process. 

Application requirements: 

1. A one page written statement (500 words) or Video (5 minutes) answering the following:
   • An introduction to yourself that includes a sharing of your positionality as an Indigenous person.
   • Your research interest(s), your career goals, and how this opportunity will support your learning journey.
   • Your greatest strengths as a thinker, learner, and/or future researcher
2.  A letter of community support (e.g., from an Elder, a leader from your community, Indigenous professor and/or mentor).
3. unofficial transcript(s) 

Please contact either of the following if you have any questions: 

Office of Indigenous Initiatives  ,Western Research

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