SSHRC Connection Grants
Canada
The Connection Grants support short-term knowledge mobilization events and outreach activities to facilitate research exchanges and collaborations across the social sciences and humanities.
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- grant_single|closingDateFebruary 01, 2024
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Grant and Funding
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- Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC)
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The Connection Grant supports short-term, targeted knowledge mobilization initiatives, including events like workshops, conferences, or summer institutes, and outreach activities such as policy briefs, media events, and public debates. Eligible projects must be geared towards facilitating scholarly exchanges and can receive funding ranging from $7,000 to $50,000 over one year. Only Canadian institutions with institutional eligibility can administer these funds.
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Connection Grants are administered by eligible Canadian postsecondary institutions or not-for-profit organizations. Thus, the grants are targeted at Canadian areas where these institutions are based and authorized to receive and manage the funds.
- Canadian postsecondary institutions with eligibility status.
- Eligible Canadian not-for-profit organizations.
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$20,000
Organizing a public debate on climate change policy
$40,000
Creating an art exhibit focusing on migration narratives
$50,000
Developing an interactive platform for remote learning
$35,000
Hosting a series of media events on healthcare innovation
$45,000
Organizing a bilingual conference on sustainable urban development
$30,000
Hosting a workshop on Indigenous economic development
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Eligibility for the Connection Grant is determined by specific criteria related to the applicants and their affiliations.
- Applications can be submitted by institutions or individual applicants and teams consisting of one applicant or project director and one or more co-applicants and/or collaborators.
- Institutional Connection Grant applications must be submitted by a Canadian institution holding institutional eligibility.
- Individual Connection Grant applicants (except postdoctoral researchers) must be affiliated with a Canadian postsecondary institution that holds institutional eligibility at the time of application.
- Researchers whose primary affiliation is with a non-Canadian postsecondary institution are not eligible for applicant or project director status.
- Applicants or project directors must not have any outstanding achievement reports for a previous SSHRC grant.
- Postdoctoral researchers must establish an affiliation with an eligible institution within three months of the grant start date.
- Students enrolled in a program of study are not eligible to apply.
- Students can be collaborators on a project but not co-applicants, and cannot receive stipends or wages from the grant.
- Federal scientists affiliated with a Canadian postsecondary institution must demonstrate that their proposed research activity is not related to the mandate or normal duties of their employer.
- Institutions administering the grant must hold or obtain institutional eligibility with SSHRC.
- For teams, all members must meet eligibility criteria specific to their role.
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The evaluation and selection criteria for projects under this grant focus on the aim and importance of the endeavor, the feasibility of the project plan, and the capability of the team to succeed. Each criterion has a specific weighting that contributes to the final score.
- Challenge—The aim and importance of the endeavor (40%):
- Originality, significance, and expected contribution to the mobilization of research knowledge.
- Quality and significance of the research being mobilized.
- Quality of training and mentoring provided to students and other personnel.
- Potential impact within and/or beyond the social sciences and humanities research community.
- Feasibility—The plan to achieve excellence (30%):
- Appropriateness of the timeline and probability of meeting objectives.
- Appropriateness and justification of the requested budget.
- Indications of other planned resources including cash and in-kind support.
- Capability—The expertise to succeed (30%):
- Quality and significance of past experience and outputs of the applicant and team members relative to their roles.
- Evidence of past knowledge mobilization activities and their impacts.
- Quality and quantity of past contributions to the training and mentoring of students and researchers.
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This grant application does not specify which companies or industries are explicitly ineligible to apply. However, the grant is primarily intended for not-for-profit organizations and institutions involved in the social sciences and humanities.
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Connection Grants support a variety of short-term, targeted knowledge mobilization activities in the social sciences and humanities. These activities aim to enhance knowledge exchange and collaborative learning between different sectors both locally and internationally.
- Organization of workshops, colloquiums, conferences, forums, or summer institutes.
- Development of artistic exhibits, performances, or festivals for knowledge dissemination.
- Virtual or face-to-face networking and media events to engage diverse audiences.
- Creation of policy briefs, knowledge syntheses, and scoping reviews to influence decision-makers.
- Adaptation of texts and presentations for broader audiences, including translation into multiple languages.
- Development and use of interactive technologies, audiovisual products, or educational materials for knowledge mobilization.
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The grant covers specific expenses directly related to facilitating connection-related tools for knowledge mobilization activities.
- Development of connection-related tools for knowledge mobilization activities (up to $50,000).
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The evaluation and selection of projects for the Connection Grants are based on a merit review process, focusing on three main criteria with specific weighting scores.
- Challenge—The aim and importance of the endeavour (40%):
- Originality, significance, and expected contribution to the mobilization of research knowledge.
- Quality and significance of the research being mobilized.
- Quality of training and mentoring provided to participants and opportunities for contribution.
- Potential influence and impact of project results within and beyond the social sciences and humanities.
- Feasibility—The plan to achieve excellence (30%):
- Appropriateness of the proposed timeline and likelihood of achieving objectives.
- Appropriateness and justification of the requested budget and planned resources.
- Leveraging of cash and in-kind support from other sources.
- Capability—The expertise to succeed (30%):
- Quality, quantity, and significance of the applicant's past experience and outputs.
- Evidence of past knowledge mobilization activities and their impacts.
- Quality and quantity of contributions to training and mentoring of involved personnel.
grant_single_labels|register
Here are the steps to submit an application for this grant:
- Step 1: Preliminary Registration
- Ensure your institution has institutional eligibility to administer funds.
- Contact SSHRC if you need to verify or initiate the eligibility process for not-for-profit institutions at least five business days prior to the deadline.
- Step 2: Prepare Application
- Compile the project proposal including objectives and budget.
- Gather supporting documents such as letters of support indicating matching funds.
- Ensure all team members meet the eligibility criteria specific to their roles.
- Select if you wish to be considered for any SSHRC joint initiatives.
- Step 3: Complete Application Form
- Fill out the application form according to the instructions provided by SSHRC.
- Ensure the application aligns with SSHRC’s guidelines and scoring criteria.
- Step 4: Submit Application
- Submit the completed application electronically by an authorized research grants officer or equivalent.
- Ensure submission is before the respective deadline (February 1, May 1, June 20, or November 1 at 8 p.m. eastern).
- Step 5: Confirmation of Submission
- Receive confirmation of submission from SSHRC, which is typically available through their respective portals.
- Step 6: Follow-up and Communication
- Monitor SSHRC’s platform for updates on the application status.
- Engage with SSHRC representatives if additional information or clarification is requested.
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Here is some additional information pertinent to Connection Grants:
- SSHRC will not fund past events and outreach activities retroactively.
- Applications must be submitted electronically by an authorized research grants officer or equivalent from the applicant’s institution.
- Grant funds cannot be used to provide salaries or stipends to applicants, co-applicants, collaborators, or Canadian faculty members.
- Grant funds cannot be used to pay for research activities, conference registration fees, or to fund both a contractor and a sponsoring organization in the same project.
- SSHRC's Guidelines for the Merit Review of Indigenous Research are used to judge applications involving Indigenous research.
- Competition results are available through the SSHRC Extranet for Applicants and the Grants and Scholarships Administration Portal.
grant_single_labels|contact
connection@sshrc-crsh.gc.ca
Apply to this program
Unlocking Opportunities in Social Sciences and Humanities
The Connection Grants offer financial assistance ranging from $7,000 to $50,000 to support short-term events and outreach activities that promote knowledge mobilization within social sciences and humanities. These grants pave the way for future, long-term research projects by facilitating interdisciplinary and international research collaborations.
Deep Dive Into Connection Grants and Their Role in Research Mobilization
The Connection Grants, administered by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), stand as vital financial resources aimed at boosting short-term, targeted knowledge mobilization initiatives. With funding spanning from $7,000 to $50,000, these grants cater to events and outreach activities that seek to foster knowledge exchange and collaboration across and beyond social science and humanities disciplines. Noteworthy is that grants can exceed $50,000 if justified and managed within the one-year grant period.
This funding is particularly instrumental in setting the stage for comprehensive, long-term research endeavors by supporting activities like workshops, colloquiums, conferences, or other forms of outreach that bridge the academic, private, and public sectors. Such initiatives are crucial for driving intersectoral and interdisciplinary exchanges, facilitating international collaborations, and enhancing the integration of Indigenous research and research-creation within the broader research narrative.
Applicants aiming to benefit from Connection Grants must either be affiliated with a Canadian institution possessing institutional eligibility or be an individual applicant affiliated with such institutions. The grants emphasize the active involvement of applicants in organizing and delivering the funded activities, ensuring a significant contribution to their field. The application process is competitive, with deadlines set throughout the year, allowing flexibility for applicants to align submission with their project timelines.
While SSHRC does not fund the entire cost of a project, it requires eligible cash or in-kind contributions equivalent to at least 50% of the requested amount from sponsoring organizations. This matching requirement necessitates that applicants demonstrate their capability to secure additional support, thereby guaranteeing leveraged financial partnerships that enhance project outcomes.
The success of a Connection Grant application hinges on several evaluation criteria, including the originality and significance of the project, the feasibility of the proposed approach, and the applicant's readiness and expertise to carry out the proposed activities. Potential projects also need to align with SSHRC’s goals while providing training and development opportunities for students, emerging scholars, and other highly qualified personnel.
In terms of regulatory compliance, projects must adhere to SSHRC's Open Access and Research Data Management policies, aligning with broader governmental requirements for ethical and sustainable research dissemination. Additionally, applicants are invited to tie their projects with one or more of the global challenges identified by SSHRC, although this is not a mandatory criterion for funding consideration.
In broader terms, the Connection Grants are pivotal for stimulating dynamic knowledge mobilization processes that not only enhance scholarly discourse but also extend research impact into policy-making, public engagement, and innovation across sectors. They are invaluable tools for bridging gaps between academia and practical application, ensuring that the insights gleaned from social sciences and humanities research are effectively communicated and utilized in societal development processes.
