Role in the Research Funding Ecosystem
The CRCC serves as a senior strategic forum for coordinating federal research funding in Canada. It brings together the three federal research funding agencies—the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC)—along with the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) to harmonize and integrate research-related programs and policies.
Key Funding Programs
The Committee administers the New Frontiers in Research Fund (NFRF), which invests $275 million over five years (beginning in 2018-19) plus $65 million ongoing. NFRF supports three main streams: Exploration (high-risk/high-reward research), Transformation (large-scale interdisciplinary projects up to $4 million annually for six years), and International (global research partnerships). Special calls address pandemic recovery and climate change adaptation.
Priority Areas
The CRCC focuses on interdisciplinary and international research, equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI), Indigenous research and reconciliation, early career researcher support, and research training for a knowledge-based society.
Transparency and Governance
The Committee publishes annual progress summaries and detailed reports on funded initiatives. It operates under ministerial oversight with members from deputy ministers and agency presidents.