Participatory Action Research Grant

Overview of the Participatory Action Research Grant program:

The Participatory Action Research (PAR) Grants program funds research initiatives that are co-designed and co-executed by community members and academic researchers working collaboratively. The objective is to address real-world issues through research that is directly informed by, and beneficial to, communities, especially those who are underrepresented or face systemic barriers. PAR Grants prioritize research projects where the community is not just a subject but an equal partner. Projects must be action-oriented, meaning they aim to generate knowledge that can lead to tangible social change or improvement in community conditions. Funding is available for new or existing partnerships and must involve both a community-based lead organization and an academic partner (e.g., post-secondary institution). Applications are reviewed based on community relevance, partnership strength, clarity of research goals, inclusion of equity principles, and the project’s potential for impact. The Vancouver Foundation emphasizes support for Indigenous-led initiatives and those involving racialized groups, youth, and people with lived experience of systemic inequities. Grants are divided into two categories: Development Grants for new partnerships or early-stage planning, and Project Grants for full-scale research initiatives.

Benefits of the Participatory Action Research Grant program:

• Funds collaborative, community-led research projects
• Builds equitable partnerships between communities and academic institutions
• Promotes action-oriented outcomes rooted in lived experience
• Supports both early-stage and fully developed research initiatives
• Encourages projects that center Indigenous knowledge and culturally appropriate practices
• Helps strengthen local capacity to understand and address systemic challenges
• Offers flexible, multi-year support for comprehensive research efforts

Eligibility criteria of the Participatory Action Research Grant program:

• Eligible applicants must:
• Be a registered charity or qualified donee in Canada
• Partner with an academic institution recognized by the Vancouver Foundation
• Demonstrate a strong, equitable relationship between community and academic partners
• Be conducting research on social, economic, health, or environmental issues relevant to a specific community
• Involve community members meaningfully in the planning, implementation, and analysis of the research
• Emphasize equity, lived experience, and cultural relevance in all phases of the project
• Development Grants: For new collaborations or early planning phases
• Project Grants: For existing partnerships ready to implement full-scale research projects