MHRC and Atlas Institute for Veterans and Families are proud to co-launch this national research award to advance understanding of how Canadian Veterans rebuild identity, purpose and resilience following military service.

Topic Area

The transition out of military service often involves a shift in daily structure, roles, and relationships. For many Veterans, this period includes an ongoing process of identity exploration or redefinition. While it can come with challenges, many Veterans demonstrate resilience, adaptability, and even personal growth as they move into post-service life. A Veteran’s intention or motivation for joining the military may shape how they understand and experience this identity shift. In addition, families, including spouses, children, extended relatives, and chosen family—can play an important role in supporting or shaping the process of identity development after service.

This funding call is focused on better understanding the positive and resilient pathways that some Veterans take as they seek or re-establish their sense of identity after military release. What internal approaches, social supports, or external conditions contribute to meaningful and affirming transitions? How do Veterans define concepts like wellness, growth, or resilience for themselves? What are Veterans who report strong post-service wellbeing and identity doing and what can be learned from their experiences?

By focusing on the experiences of those who report meaningful or affirming transitions, this research aims to surface practical insights to inform how programs, policies, and services can better support identity development, purpose, and resilience across the broader Veteran community.

Objective

This research funding opportunity will support a two-year project that aims to understand and explore the experience of resilience during identity seeking after military release. Research projects may focus on the factors that support meaningful identity development, personal growth, and wellbeing in the post-service period, as described by Veterans themselves. The population of interest are Canadian Veterans who have released from the Canadian Armed Forces and who reflect on their transition as involving positive or affirming experiences of identity redefinition, purpose, or resilience.

Eligibility

Eligible applicants must:

• Ensure the fulsome engagement and involvement of people with lived and living experiences (CAF members and veterans) including participation on the research team throughout the research project.

• Hold Canadian citizenship and/or permanent residence.

• The Principal Applicant must be:

• An independent researcher affiliated with a Canadian post-secondary institution whose appointment continues until the conclusion of the funding period ;

• OR an individual affiliated with an Indigenous non-governmental organization in Canada with a research or knowledge mobilization mandate ;

• OR an individual affiliated with a Veteran/Veteran Family non-governmental organization in Canada with a research or knowledge mobilization mandate.

• The Principal Applicant must have completed a Sex-and Gender-Based Analysis Plus (SGBA+) course with proof of certification from a Canadian institution.