Question Period Note: Mobilizing Insights in Defence and Security

Why is National Defence funding inappropriate speakers who malign Canadian values?

• National Defence has a proud tradition of collaborating with the defence and security community across Canada.

• The MINDS program makes a positive impact by helping foster dialogue on defence and security issues.

• Funding applications are assessed through a rigorous evaluation process.

• Views expressed by participants in MINDS-funded projects are not necessarily those of National Defence.

• National Defence always reserves the right to speak out against and address views that are objectively contrary to fundamental Canadian values, and our funding agreements will make that clear.

• National Defence continues to take seriously our responsibility to effectively administer government funding, while also encouraging debate on defence issues.

Quick Facts

Mobilizing Insights in Defence and Security (MINDS)

• MINDS is a program that brings together the Defence Team and the security and defence expert community to:

  • Facilitate an exchange of knowledge that provides relevant and timely advice;

  • Foster the next generation of experts and scholars; and,

  • Contribute to Canadians’ understanding of defence and security issues.

• MINDS applications are assessed on their merit, following a rigorous and objective evaluation process, including validation from the MINDS Steering Committee, comprised of senior officials from across DND/CAF. Applicants can apply for funding through:

  • Targeted Engagement Grants

  • Graduate Scholarships

  • Collaborative Networks

Mobilizing Insights in Defence and Security (MINDS)

• MINDS is founded on the idea that policy and decision-making are strengthened when assumptions are challenged and diverse viewpoints are considered.

• MINDS offers a variety of unique tools by which the Defence Team can engage with external experts to access high calibre, relevant and timely research and expertise, including:

  • Bespoke, one-time engagements through the Expert Briefing Series;

  • Ongoing engagement through Collaborative Networks;

  • Distinct research projects and conferences through Targeted Engagement Grants;

  • Support for young and emerging scholars through academic Scholarships;

  • An ability to address new and evolving priorities through the Rapid Response Mechanism.

Funding

• Applicants can receive funding through:

  • The Targeted Engagement Grant Program provides non-recurring financial support, up to a maximum of $50,000 to fund projects such as conferences, roundtables, workshops, research, and publications.

  • Collaborative Networks is an opportunity open to multidisciplinary teams with interest in the domain of security and defence studies from academic institutions, think-tanks, or non-governmental organizations. Successful applicants receive $250,000 per year for three years. During these three years, the networks will be required to meet a deliverables, such as creative approaches to research, conferences and workshops, written and oral briefings to a Defence Team audience, and student support.

  • MINDS has partnered with the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) to deliver the Mobilizing Insights in Defence and Security (MINDS) scholarship initiative. Financial support is provided to students pursuing research related to defence and security at the Masters, Doctoral, and post-Doctoral levels.

Challenges

• To receive MINDS funding, applicants must align their projects with the priorities identified by the Defence Team, which reflect key issues and potential areas for knowledge transfer and collaboration with the defence and security expert community, including:

  • People, Culture and Diversity, including the creation of adaptive, diverse and inclusive recruitment and retention models for the CAF, and approaches that address and prevent sexual misconduct, as well as hateful conduct, radicalization and systemic racism.

  • Approaches to domestic, continental and Arctic defence

  • Solutions to global security challenges, including climate change, defence capacity building, defence diplomacy, and the anticipation of future challenges

  • Approaches to the defence of cyber, space and information operational domains

  • Rapid responses to challenges such as the war in Ukraine, NATO support, and the implications of the war for great power competition and global stability.

Responsible Principals: Assistant Deputy Minister (Policy)