The Indigenous Climate Leaders Impact Fund
In 2026/27, seven $2,500 honorariums are available for students engaged in experiential learning with an Indigenous community partner on a climate-focused initiative.
The honorarium recognizes and supports student contributions to advancing climate leadership through Indigenous knowledge, perspectives, and community-led approaches.
Eligibility
Applicants must be enrolled in a course that includes an experiential learning component, such as a Community-Engaged Learning (CEL) course, service-learning placement, applied research project, field placement, self-directed study, research apprenticeship, honours thesis, or graduate thesis. The experiential learning experience must involve collaboration with an Indigenous community partner and focus on climate-related initiatives.
Please note that practicum experiences are not eligible for this funding.
All eligible students are invited to apply, but preference will be given to (a) Indigenous students and (b) students who are working with Indigenous community partners on Vancouver Island and the surrounding Salish Sea Islands.
Undergraduate students
Undergraduate applicants must be enrolled in a course in which the instructor has established community placements with Indigenous partner organizations working on climate-focused projects and initiatives.
Undergraduate Honours students must have received ethics approval for their research and provide evidence of approval from the University of Victoria’s Research Ethics Office.
Graduate students
Graduate applicants (Master’s and PhD students) must be conducting community-engaged research in partnership with an Indigenous community organization or partner on projects focused on climate initiatives.
Graduate students must have received ethics approval for their research and provide evidence of approval from the University of Victoria’s Research Ethics Office.
Continuing Studies
Students enrolled in a Continuing Studies program must be enrolled in a course in which the instructor has established community placements with Indigenous partner organizations working on climate-focused projects and initiatives.
Application deadline
Applications close on October 20, 2026.
Funding timeline
Applications will be accepted for Fall 2026, Spring 2027, and Summer 2027 placements. When all the available funding for the year is awarded, the CEL Office will close applications.