The Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions (PICS) has launched the World Weaving Climate Research Program, which offers grants to support First Nations‑led and co‑designed climate research and associated relationship building and knowledge exchange.
“We are at a critical moment for the climate and biosphere. This program is helping to support implementation of the B.C. First Nations Climate Strategy and Action Plan and is in alignment with the Relationship Protocol signed between PICS and the First Nations Leadership Council,” says PICS Indigenous Climate Fellow and Heiltsuk Hereditary Chief Frank Brown. “Through world weaving, we bring together the best of Western and Indigenous knowledges, which will help us get on the best path forward for current and future generations.”
The program is grounded in the principles of the Relationship Protocol between PICS and the First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC), and is designed to strengthen research and capacity in alignment with the BC First Nations Climate Strategy and Action Plan (BCFNCSAP) and the Action Plan for Disaster Risk Reduction by BC First Nations.
“Across B.C., First Nations and research partners are advancing climate research grounded in respect, relationships, and reciprocity. PICS and our university network are committed to supporting this vital work,” says PICS Executive Director Ian Mauro. “First Nations in B.C. are climate leaders and, in alignment with our research community, we can co-generate lasting solutions that benefit land, water, territories, and our shared atmosphere. Our new World Weaving program helps to support relationship building, multi-year research, and knowledge exchange.”
World weaving is the practice of intentionally creating connections across different knowledge systems, lived experiences, and ways of understanding the world. Rather than prioritizing one way of knowing over another, world weaving holds space for multiple truths to coexist, fostering collaboration that is more equitable, grounded, and responsive to community priorities.
Granting pathways
The World Weaving program offers three granting pathways designed to ensure research partnerships are built on respect, reciprocity, and meaningful First Nations leadership.
Applications for all three pathways close June 17.
Relational Foundations Grants
These grants support the relational and collaborative processes that underpin ethical and effective climate research. Grants are available for activities that strengthen relationships between First Nations and research partners, support reciprocal knowledge exchange and mobilization, and enable meaningful First Nations leadership and co-design throughout the research process.
These grants will fund five to eight projects per year, with grants ranging from $5,000 to $15,000 per project.
Funding is available through two pathways:
- Relationship Building Pathway (RBP): Supports early‑stage work to build or deepen partnerships between First Nations and research partners, with a focus on trust, shared priorities, and collaborative readiness.
- Knowledge Exchange Pathway (KEX): Supports the exchange and mobilization of knowledge from existing climate research when findings are being shared, implemented, or brought into practice.
World Weaving Multi‑Year Research Pathway
This pathway supports longer‑term climate research that addresses complex, systemic, or emerging climate challenges facing First Nations communities. Projects supported through this pathway are grounded in First Nations leadership and co‑design, strengthen governance and collaborative capacity over time, and support sustained knowledge mobilization that informs community decision-making.
PICS anticipates funding four to six multi-year projects with awards through this pathway, ranging from $80,000 to $200,000 per project distributed over three years.
