Now Accepting Applications

Overview

We know that strong community ties are critical for good research, but funding for the time and needed to build those relationships is rare.

Community Scholars is an innovative 8-10 week residency program that enables scholars to live in and engage with the small towns that make our province unique without conducting research. Supporting this relationship building is one of the many ways we strive to put Memorial's special obligation to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador into action.

Successful applicants may receive up to $10,000. Applications are accepted year-round with up to 10 residencies being awarded each year. 

Hear from Past Community Scholars

Sometimes the best ideas can be found in the most unexpected places. This program hopes to inspire new research and accelerate existing work in exciting new directions.  

“I think the community scholar award is an incredible opportunity for any Memorial researcher to experience life within Newfoundland and Labrador’s communities and to build relationships that are the very foundation of our institutional obligations to the people of the province.” 

_{Dr. Sylvia Moore
Associate Professor in the School of Arctic and Subarctic Studies}

Read more about Dr Moore's experience and start planning your own community residency here.

Application Process

Applications are accepted year-round or until all funds are awarded. Full-time faculty and post-doctoral fellows are eligible to apply.

Interested researchers must submit a plan detailing how they intend to engage with their host community during their stay, and how they anticipate their experiences will contribute to their research, teaching, and/or public engagement. 

Materials must be submitted using the Harris Centre's online application portal. 

Preference will be given to applicants who wish to spend their residency in a single community. Applications that propose shorter visits in multiple communities will be considered on a case-by-case basis. 

Award Logistics

Community Scholar funds are awarded to and administered by your department's financial administrative contact. 

Funds can be used to support travel, accommodations, and community activities. Other costs will be considered on a case-by-case basis. 

The primary goal of this fund is to support community relationship building; Community Scholars are not required or expected to conduct research during their stay. However, if any activities related to new or ongoing research are conducted, scholars much obtain the appropriate ethics clearance.

Application Support

The Harris Centre is here to support Memorial researchers. 

If you have any questions or need assistance with your application, please reach out to us at harriscentrefunding@mun.ca.