Community-Based Research is a way of doing research where the people most affected by the topic being studied are actively involved in the research process from start to finish. Using a collaborative approach, researchers, community, and other interested parties work together to produce actionable knowledge that leads to positive change in the community.
Community-Based Research
What is Community-Based Research (CBR)?
The Three Core Principles of CBR
Community-driven
The community’s own priorities and needs drive the purpose of the research. Knowledge held by the community and those with lived experience is highly valued and is placed at the centre of the entire research process.
Action-oriented
The research aims to help make positive change in the community. The results can contribute to social innovation, solving issues, and policy improvements. It is designed to build skills, knowledge, and connections in the community so actions can be sustained after the project ends.
Equitable participation
Community members, especially those with lived experience, share control of every step of the research process, from deciding what questions to ask to sharing the results. Everyone’s contribution is valued, and people are respected for their time and knowledge. The research process is inclusive, with particular attention given to empowering marginalized or underserved communities.
Goals of CBR
Learn together
Learn together about the issues, challenges, and possible solutions that exist in a community.
Share knowledge
Share knowledge in clear and accessible ways so it can be used to drive positive change.
Take action
Take action based on what’s learned to improve outcomes for all community members.
Why CBR Matters
CBR helps:
Create local solutions to local problems
Influence policy improvements and systems change
Build strong partnerships between different groups
Recognize and respect lived experience as valuable knowledge
It’s not just about studying a topic; it’s about working together to build more responsive, supportive, and equitable communities.
It’s not just about studying a topic; it’s about working together to build more responsive, supportive, and equitable communities.
How CBR is Different from Traditional Research
| CBR | Traditional Research |
|---|---|
| Done with communities, where lived experience and community priorities guide the process | Often done on communities, without their input or recognition of lived experience |
| Aims to reduce harm and to build trust | Can unintentionally cause harm and does not always build trust |
| Builds and strengthens long-term relationships | Relationships may be short-term or absent altogether |
| Research questions come directly from community-identified needs | Research questions usually reflect the researcher’s own interests |
| Results aim to build stronger, more equitable communities | Results aim to advance knowledge within a topic area and are often not directly useful to communities |
| Shares knowledge in many accessible ways | Knowledge is published in academic journals and is often inaccessible, limiting its impact |
Who’s Involved in CBR
CBR brings together many voices:
People with lived experience – experts in their community, bringing firsthand knowledge of its strengths and needs.
Community partners – local groups and organizations closely connected to the research topic. They help engage people with lived experience, contribute valuable perspectives on community needs, and work to implement actionable results.
Researchers – like academic professors, students, or consultants who bring research expertise that is vital for the success of the project.
Decision-makers – like policy makers or funders, who can help turn results into lasting change.
Everyone works together as equal partners, building trust and sharing decisions. This means recognizing and addressing power imbalances that can exist between researchers, organizations, and community members. For communities who have been historically excluded from or even harmed by research, creating space where their voices are valued is especially important.
Building trust requires openness, respect, and accountability so that all partners feel safe to contribute their knowledge and experiences. By sharing decisions and responsibilities fairly, collaboration becomes more inclusive, and the research process is more likely to lead to meaningful and lasting change.
How CBR Aligns with the Alliance’s Work
At the Alliance for Mental Well-Being, our mandate is to create the conditions for positive change so that all people on PEI can achieve and maintain the best possible mental well-being.
By supporting community-based mental well-being research, we aim to:
- Help build a shared knowledge base with our community partners to empower evidence-informed action.
- Foster meaningful collaboration for collective impact, so we can all work together to drive positive change.
How We
Support CBR
Support CBR
Reverse Science Fair
In May 2025, we hosted a Reverse Science Fair with the University of Prince Edward Island. Community organizations shared their challenges, and researchers listened. This event sparked new partnerships and ideas for projects that matter to our communities.
Community-Based Research Grants
We offer funding to help community groups and researchers work together on projects that can create lasting impact with funding available of up to $50,000 for projects lasting up to two years.
Community-Based Research Grants help to:
- Build and grow partnerships – connect community groups and researchers so they can share ideas, learn from each other, and work together.
- Create strong evidence and skills – help organizations collect useful information to guide their decisions, improve programs and services, and get ready for future funding opportunities.
- Share knowledge widely – make sure research results reach the people and groups who can use them to make positive changes in communities across PEI.
- Support CBR projects – involve more people in the research process, especially those with lived or living experience, and keep mental well-being research active and growing in PEI.
Getting Started with CBR
CBR often begins by:
- Finding the right partners to work with
- Building trusting and supportive relationships before the research starts
- Identifying a research need or question that matters to the community
Interested in Starting a CBR Project?
The Alliance for Mental Well-Being is here to help. We can support you in building relationships, identifying research needs with communities, and finding partners to collaborate with.
Through our Community-Based Research grants, we also help fund projects at every stage, from the early conversations that spark an idea to sharing results in ways that drive change.
Learn more about our CBR Grants, including when and how to apply. Access the full Applicant Guides on the Grant Portal.
