Connection Grants — Joint Initiative for Digital Citizen Research

• SSHRC CV
• Research contributions and relevant experience attachment
• Career interruptions and special circumstances attachment, if applicable

Who is eligible?

• Canadian postsecondary institutions
• Eligible not-for-profit organizations
• Individual applicants affiliated with an eligible Canadian postsecondary institution
• Research teams with co-applicants and collaborators

Who is not eligible

• Students enrolled in a program of study
• Applicants whose primary affiliation is with a non-Canadian postsecondary institution
• Applicants with overdue SSHRC achievement reports
• Individuals seeking funding for their own salaries or stipends
• Private-sector and federal government participants, except as collaborators

Eligible expenses

• Personnel costs for students or non-students
• Travel and subsistence
• Professional and technical services
• Supplies and equipment
• Knowledge mobilization tools

Ineligible Costs and Activities

• Research activities such as literature reviews, field work, data collection, or interviews
• Standalone volumes, curriculum development, or teaching materials
• Conference registration fees
• Salaries or stipends for applicants, co-applicants, collaborators, or eligible faculty
• Retroactive events or activities already completed

• Originality and significance of the project
• Quality of the proposed approach
• Quality and significance of the research being mobilized
• Training and mentoring opportunities
• Potential impact within and beyond the research community

• Step 1: Review program instructions
  • Read the funding opportunity description and applicant instructions.
  • Check institutional eligibility and project fit.
• Step 2: Prepare the application
  • Complete the online form.
  • Prepare the required PDF attachments and supporting documents.
  • Gather letters of support from sponsoring organizations.
• Step 3: Select the joint initiative
  • Choose the Joint or special initiative option in the application form.
• Step 4: Submit for institutional approval
  • Send the application to the research administrator or authorized signing representative.
  • Allow time for internal review before the deadline.
• Step 5: Final submission to SSHRC
  • The institution forwards the application electronically to SSHRC.
  • Keep the application number for future correspondence.

• Applications are reviewed through a competitive merit review process.
• Funding decisions are based on committee recommendations and available funds.
• Successful applicants receive a notice of award and reporting requirements.
• Grant holders must comply with program policies and financial rules.
• Project status and funding may be affected by required approvals and conditions.

• Only one application per calendar year.
• Applicants must secure matching support from sponsoring organizations.
• Grant holders must submit reporting after the project.