Equity Diversity and Inclusion Graduate Student Research Scholarship

In line with PHE Canada’s Strategic Plan (2020-2023), the Physical and Health Education (PHE) Canada Research Council has an annual scholarship to support the recruitment and retention of equity-deserving scholars in Physical and Health Education graduate studies and research.

The scholarship will normally provide funds for one graduate student per year. Projects must be led by a graduate student in a Canadian postsecondary institution. Successful applicants will normally be awarded $1000. Members of the Research Council Executive may also contact the successful applicant’s university to advocate for matching funds to be awarded by the student’s university.

The application and process of this scholarship are currently under review and will be updated shortly.

Commitment to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

The PHE Canada Research Council is committed to excellence in research and research training. In particular, the Research Council is dedicated to supporting and having representation from researchers who identify as members of an equity-deserving group or community, as well as to supporting those who conduct research that advances knowledge and understanding of issues related to equity, diversity, and inclusion. The Research Council aims to help all its current and future members reach their full potential, unimpeded by inequitable practices, including personal and systemic discrimination and racism, imposed by policies, processes and research environments.

The Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Graduate Student Research Scholarship is seen as helping to address one part of a complex and multi-layered issue that is embedded in the legacies of colonialism, enslavement, patriarchy, and heteronormativity. Both historically and currently in Canada, the field of physical education in schools and in higher education has not adequately been made up of university faculty members and students who reflect the diversity of the general population, particularly according to Indigeneity, race/ethnicity, and disability. Thus, the Research Council recognizes and acknowledges that awarding this scholarship will not solve the problems raised by generations of oppression, discrimination, and marginalization but along with several other initiatives launched by PHE Canada and the Research Council, it may provide a means to reduce or remove one or more barriers or biases faced by equity-deserving scholars and help to create a Research Council whose membership more closely reflects the diversity seen in Canadian society. 

Objective

The competition will focus on supporting scholars who self-identify as a member of one or more equity-deserving groups (e.g., racialized people, people with disabilities, Indigenous - First Nations, Inuit and Métis, women, 2SLGBTQ+) and who are conducting research in physical and health education and/or its related disciplines, such as physical education teacher education, physical activity, dance, recreation, leisure studies, health, and wellness. Preference will be given to equity-deserving people who are conducting research projects with an emphasis on EDI issues.

What Is an Equity-deserving Group and What is EDI Research?

‘Equity-deserving’ is a term now being widely used in universities and government departments to include groups that identify barriers and biases to equal access, opportunities, and resources as a result of disadvantage and discrimination, and actively seek social justice and reparation. In Canada, these disadvantaged groups include but are not limited to Indigenous people, women, people with disabilities, Black and other racialized people, and 2SLGBTQIA+ people. Further information can be found on the Government of Canada website: Canadian Equity Groups.

EDI research involves designing the research so that it takes EDI into account, through approaches such as intersectionality, anti-racist frameworks, gender-based analysis plus (GBA+) and disaggregated data collection, and analysis that includes consideration of diversity and identity factors such as, but not limited to, age, culture, disability, education, ethnicity, gender expression and gender identity, immigration and newcomer status, Indigenous identity, language, neurodiversity, parental status/responsibility, place of origin, religion, race, sexual orientation, and socio-economic status.

Definitions

Equity is a just, fair and principled approach to uphold equal treatment for all. It does not just mean equal treatment for all; it means acknowledging and dismantling the barriers that cause people to experience things differently. 

Diversity has many facets that intersect, such as race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity and expression, socio-economic status, nationality, citizenship, sexual orientation, ability, age, family status, religion, and language. It also refers to the unseen dimensions of identity - beliefs, ideologies, world views, and knowledge systems. 

Inclusion means that all people have the right to be valued, appreciated and respected as members of community, school, and classrooms. Fostering a sense of inclusion is critical for supporting all individuals. 

Eligibility

There are two main eligibility criteria:

1. The applicant self-identifies as a member of an equity-deserving group that has faced or faces barriers to equal access, opportunities, and resources as a result of disadvantage and discrimination, and actively seek social justice and reparation. In Canada, these disadvantaged groups include but are not limited to Indigenous people, women, people with disabilities, Black and other racialized people, and 2SLGBTQIA+ people.
2. The applicant must be enrolled in part-time or full-time studies in a Canadian postsecondary institution in one of the following: (a) a master’s program (thesis-based), or (b) a PhD program.

Projects that only include under-represented populations as part of a broader study without an emphasis on EDI and that are conducted by people who do not self-identify as a member of an equity-deserving group will not be considered eligible.

Guidelines and Criteria:

The grant will provide support for a graduate student who self-identifies as a member of an equity-deserving group and who is conducting research in physical and health education and/or its related disciplines. We will select the successful applicant based on the following criteria:

1. Self-identification according to one (or more) of the following: gender identity, sexual orientation, Indigenous identity, Black or other racialized minority identity, disability, and/or other. While the questionnaire for self-identification does not include every important diversity dimension, these dimensions cover aspects of identity that are generally recognized as being impacted by bias and discrimination in the postsecondary research sector.
2. The originality, rigour, and potential significance of the research project. While eligible applicants may submit any type of research project that is in the field of physical and health education and/or its related disciplines, preference will be given to projects that use EDI-informed considerations and reflect upon EDI in substantial or significant ways. EDI-informed considerations may involve one or more of the following:
   1. topic focus,
   2. research design, methodology, analysis,
   3. social application of the research, and
   4. the lived experience and/ or community engagement of the student researcher submitting the research question.

Application Materials

1. Cover Page with Applicant’s Name, Affiliation, Program of Study, Project Title (1 page max). 
2. Completed Self-identification Questionnaire: Download
3. Abstract (300 words)
4. Project Description (2-page max)
   1. Discussion of research objectives, activities that will be undertaken/methods to be used, and potential outcomes. 
   2. Description of the role of the applicant in the research project and their qualifications.
   3. Where applicable, a description of the unique opportunity to enhance EDI in the project.
5. Curriculum Vitae (no page limit)
6. Letter of Support from a Mentor, Advisor or Supervisor – (2 pages max)

How will my self-identification data be used?

The self-identification data will only be used to determine eligibility for the scholarship (see #1 of the Guidelines and Criteria). This information will be strictly limited to members of the adjudication panel. The Research Council Executive will work with the recipient to create an announcement of the scholarship.

Review Process

Applications will be adjudicated by the Research Council Executive. 

How to Apply

Please contact [email protected] with any questions or to access the scholarship details or application in alternate formats.

Awards

Research Council Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Winners will receive:

1. A certificate of commendation
2. A complementary Research Council membership (at time of renewal)
3. A complementary Research Council Forum registration

Selection Criteria

As part of the adjudication process, please ensure the applicant:

• self-identifies as a member of an equity-deserving group that has faced or faces barriers to equal access, opportunities, and resources because of disadvantage and discrimination, and actively seek social justice and reparation. Yes / No
• is enrolled in part-time or full-time studies in a Canadian postsecondary institution in one of the following: (a) a master’s program (thesis-based), or (b) a PhD program. Yes / No