How much funding can be received?

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.

grant_single_labels|projects

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

grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample

$98,000

Initiating an education and training program for marginalized youth to improve job readiness

$87,000

Launching a climate change awareness campaign through educational workshops and community events

$93,000

Developing a health and well-being program for seniors, focusing on physical and mental health

$112,000

Initiating a community development project focused on improving public spaces and urban green areas

$120,000

Establishing a recycling and waste management improvement program

$105,000

Developing a community garden to integrate vulnerable populations and promote environmental sustainability

grant_single_labels|admissibility

Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific requirements related to the applicant's institutional profile and proposed research initiatives.

The applicant must hold a remunerated position at an eligible Canadian college.
The Canadian college must be eligible to administer grants according to the eligibility requirements of at least one of the three federal granting agencies (NSERC, CIHR, or SSHRC).
If the proposed research activities lie entirely within the mandate of a single granting agency, the college must be declared eligible to receive funding from that granting agency.
The college must offer programs in the humanities and social sciences, natural sciences and engineering, and/or health sciences.
The college’s faculty members must be engaged in applied research related to the humanities and social sciences, natural sciences and engineering, and/or health sciences.
The college must provide the necessary space, facilities, and services to support applied research by faculty members.
A principal investigator must be identified and responsible for the intellectual direction of the research and must be affiliated with the administering institution at the time of application.
The principal investigator must be qualified to undertake the proposed research independently.
Each college can submit a maximum of five applications per competition, with different principal investigators leading each proposal.

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply

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.

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply

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.

grant_eligibility_criteria|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.

grant_eligibility_criteria|zone

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.

grant_single_labels|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

grant_single_labels|register

Here are the steps to submit an application for this grant:

Step 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.
Step 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.
Step 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.
Step 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.

grant_single_labels|otherInfo

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.

grant_single_labels|documents

College and Community social innovation Fund

Apply to this program

College and Community Social Innovation Fund (CCSIF) Grant Overview

The College and Community Social Innovation Fund (CCSIF) grants are designed to foster community innovation by connecting the research capabilities of Canadian colleges and polytechnics with the needs of community organizations. Managed by NSERC in collaboration with CIHR and SSHRC, these grants support multidisciplinary research that addresses social, health, and environmental challenges.

Detailed Explanation of the CCSIF Grant

The College and Community Social Innovation Fund (CCSIF) is a strategic grant initiative managed by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) in conjunction with the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and the Social Sciences Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC). The program is tailored to enhance community innovation by leveraging the unique research capabilities of Canada's colleges and polytechnics.

CSSIF grants aim to strengthen the collaborative ties between academia and community organizations. Through these partnerships, researchers, students, and community partners come together to tackle various challenges, such as integrating vulnerable populations, community development, education, climate change, environmental sustainability, and health and well-being. By fostering these collaborations, CCSIF grants help enhance the applied research capacity of colleges, broaden their community engagement, and contribute to the public good.

Who Can Apply?

CSSIF grants are institutional. This means that the applicants must be faculty members holding remunerated positions at eligible Canadian colleges and polytechnics. These institutions must be declared eligible based on the criteria set forth by NSERC, CIHR, or SSHRC. Furthermore, the colleges must offer programs in relevant fields such as humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, engineering, or health sciences.

The applications are created and submitted through the Convergence Portal, and the research proposal must identify a principal investigator responsible for the research's intellectual direction. The principal investigator should be affiliated with the college and qualified to undertake independent research. While a college can submit a maximum of five applications in each competition, each proposal must have a different principal investigator.

Eligibility Requirements

For a college to be eligible, it must:

Hold eligibility to administer grants from at least one of the three federal granting agencies (NSERC, CIHR, or SSHRC).
Offer relevant programs in humanities and social sciences, natural sciences and engineering, or health sciences.
Ensure its faculty members are engaged in applied research within these fields.
Provide the necessary facilities, space, and services to support this research.

Additionally, the research proposal must align with the mandates of the granting agencies. If the proposal solely falls within the domain of one agency, the college must be eligible to receive funding from that agency. Multidisciplinary proposals that include a natural sciences and engineering component will be funded by NSERC.

Application Process

All CCSIF grant applications need to be submitted through the Convergence Portal as of March 2022. The grant submissions must adhere to the guidelines provided in the “Instructions for completing a CCSIF grant application.” The transition to the Tri-agency Guide on Financial Administration for CCI grants took place in April 2022, aligning all CCI grants under a unified financial administration standard.

Benefits of CCSIF Grants

CCSIF grants provide several benefits, including:

Enhanced Community Collaboration: They lay the foundation for robust partnerships between colleges and community organizations, propelling collective social innovation efforts.
Research Capacity Building: By increasing the research capacity of colleges, CCSIF grants embed research skills among students and faculty, enriching the educational ecosystem.
Multidisciplinary Research: These grants support multidisciplinary projects that draw upon diverse academic disciplines, fostering holistic solutions to community challenges.
Economic and Social Development: Through community-driven research, these grants contribute to socio-economic development, addressing issues like vulnerable population integration, environmental challenges, and public health.

Key Focus Areas

CCSIF grants prioritize several key areas, including:

Integration of Vulnerable Populations: Research initiatives that focus on integrating marginalized or vulnerable groups into the community, ensuring inclusive growth and social cohesion.
Community Development: Projects aimed at fostering sustainable community development, enhancing local economies, and improving the quality of life.
Education and Training: Innovative educational programs and training initiatives designed to enhance skills, knowledge, and employability among community members.
Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability: Research addressing climate change and environmental degradation, promoting sustainable practices, and mitigating adverse environmental impacts.
Health and Well-being: Initiatives aimed at improving public health, mental well-being, and overall quality of life for community members.

Steps to Develop a Successful Proposal

To craft a compelling CCSIF grant proposal, follow these steps:

Identify Community Needs: Engage with local community organizations to identify pressing challenges and areas where collaborative research can make a difference.
Build a Multidisciplinary Team: Assemble a team of researchers, faculty members, and students from relevant disciplines to address the identified challenges comprehensively.
Engage Community Partners: Form partnerships with community organizations, ensuring their active participation and input throughout the research process.
Articulate Clear Goals: Define clear, measurable research objectives and outcomes that align with the community's needs and the priorities of the granting agencies.
Leverage Institutional Resources: Highlight the facilities, expertise, and support the college can offer to conduct the proposed research.
Follow Application Guidelines: Adhere to the guidelines provided in the “Instructions for completing a CCSIF grant application” while preparing your proposal.

Conclusion

The College and Community Social Innovation Fund (CCSIF) grants play a pivotal role in driving community innovation and development across Canada. By fostering collaboration between academia and community organizations, these grants address a wide range of societal challenges. For colleges and polytechnics seeking to enhance their research capacity and contribute to the public good, applying for CCSIF grants presents an invaluable opportunity to make a tangible impact on society.