Closed
College and Community social innovation Fund
Funding for social innovation projects
Last Update: May 28, 2026
Funding available
$ 120,000
Timeline
- Closing date : March 10, 2026
Location
Canada
Overview
Your business can partner with college researchers who are eligible to apply for grants for social innovation projects that are conducted in partnership with public, private or not-for-profit sector organizations.
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Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Reduce environmental footprint
- Conduct research or evaluation activities
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 120,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
Timeline
- Closing date : March 10, 2026
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Educational services
- Health care and social assistance
- Public administration
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- All legal structures
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Canadians
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
Yes, there are eligible projects and activities for this grant which aim to foster community innovation. These projects connect colleges' talents and facilities with the community's research needs, addressing challenges in various fields.
- Integration of vulnerable populations
- Community development
- Education and training
- Climate change
- Environmental degradation
- Health and well-being
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
CCSIF grants are intended for Canadian colleges eligible to administer grants according to the requirements of one of the federal granting agencies (NSERC, CIHR, or SSHRC). The applicant must hold a remunerated position at such an eligible college and be responsible for managing the grant. The college should offer programs in relevant fields such as humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, engineering, or health sciences, and have faculty engaged in applied research in these areas. Moreover, the principal investigator, who leads the research project, must be affiliated with the administering college and qualified to conduct the research independently. Each institution can submit up to five applications per competition, with each application led by a different principal investigator.Who is not eligible
This grant is specifically designed for eligible Canadian colleges and their collaborative projects, thus restricting certain entities from applying. The focus is on academic and community partnerships rather than individual companies or industries.
Eligible expenses
CCSIF grants support projects that foster community innovation by leveraging the expertise and resources of Canadian colleges in collaboration with community organizations. These projects are cross-disciplinary and address pressing issues in various sectors to drive positive social change.
- Research initiatives aiming to integrate vulnerable populations into communities.
- Projects focused on community development and empowerment.
- Educational and training initiatives that meet community needs.
- Research on climate change and strategies to combat environmental degradation.
- Health and well-being projects addressing community-specific challenges.
- Collaborative research involving students, faculty, and community partners to solve local problems.
Eligible geographic areas
The grant covers specific expenses directly related to the collaborative research initiatives in college and community innovation.
- Compensation for faculty, research staff, and students involved in the project.
- Costs for materials, supplies, and project-specific consumables.
- Travel expenses for project activities and collaboration between partners.
- Equipment purchases or rental necessary for research activities.
- Dissemination and knowledge mobilization costs to share project outcomes with the community.
- Administrative costs related to the management of the project.
Selection criteria
Yes, there are evaluation and selection criteria for the CCSIF grant. The proposals are evaluated based on criteria such as potential impact on the community, quality of the applied research, and capacity of the college to deliver the project.
- Relevance of the proposed research to community needs
- Potential for tangible benefits and impact on the community
- Quality of the research methodology and innovation
- Involvement and engagement of students in the research activities
- Capacity and capability of the college to deliver the proposed project
- Collaboration with community organizations and partners
- Sustainability of the project outcomes beyond the funding period
- Budget justification and efficient use of resources
How to apply
1
Create an Account in the Convergence Portal
- Access the Convergence Portal and create or log in to your account.
- Ensure your college is among those eligible to apply for the CCSIF grant.
2
Prepare the Grant Application
- Carefully read the Instructions for completing a CCSIF grant application.
- Develop a research proposal that aligns with the objectives of the CCSIF grant.
- Ensure the proposal facilitates collaborative and innovative research that addresses community innovation challenges.
- Identify and confirm the involvement of a principal investigator responsible for the intellectual direction of the project.
- Collect necessary documentation, such as letters of support from community partners.
3
Complete the Application Form
- Log into the Convergence Portal to access and fill out the application form.
- Input all required information accurately, ensuring compliance with eligibility guidelines.
4
Review and Submit the Application
- Thoroughly review the completed application form to check for any errors or omissions.
- Ensure all required documents are attached and comply with the guidelines provided.
- Submit the application through the Convergence Portal before the deadline.
- Save a copy of the submission confirmation and application reference number for future reference.
Additional information
Here are additional relevant details for this grant:
- The detailed application guide and specific requirements for CCSIF grants can be found in the Convergence Portal user guide.
- The research proposal should demonstrate a clear plan for sustaining the community partnerships beyond the funding period.
- Institutions are encouraged to include strategies for knowledge mobilization and engagement with community stakeholders.
- The application should highlight the anticipated benefits and impact of the project on the community.
- Institutions should ensure that their financial management systems align with the Tri-agency Guide on Financial Administration policies.
Frequently Asked Questions about the College and Community social innovation Fund Program
What is the College and Community social innovation Fund?
Your business can partner with college researchers who are eligible to apply for grants for social innovation projects that are conducted in partnership with public, private or not-for-profit sector organizations.
How much funding can be received?
College and Community social innovation Fund Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses, capped at $120,000 per project.
Who is eligible for the College and Community social innovation Fund program?
To be eligible for the College and Community social innovation Fund program, you must:
The applicant must hold a remunerated position at an eligible Canadian college.
The college must offer programs in humanities and social sciences, natural sciences and engineering, and/or health sciences.
The research proposal must identify a principal investigator affiliated with the applicant college.
What expenses are eligible under College and Community social innovation Fund?
Yes, there are eligible projects and activities for this grant which aim to foster community innovation. These projects connect colleges' talents and facilities with the community's research needs, addressing challenges in various fields. Integration of vulnerable populations
Community development
Education and training
Climate change
Environmental degradation
Health and well-being
Who can I contact for more information about the College and Community social innovation Fund?
You can contact Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC).
Where is the College and Community social innovation Fund available?
The College and Community social innovation Fund program is available across Canada.
Is the College and Community social innovation Fund a grant, loan, or tax credit?
College and Community social innovation Fund is a Grant and Funding