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.
grant_single_labels|projects
Yes, the Connection Grant supports various events and outreach activities focused on knowledge mobilization in the social sciences and humanities. Eligible activities include conferences, workshops, public debates, and artistic exhibits.
- Workshops
- Colloquiums
- Conferences
- Forums
- Summer institutes
- Virtual networking
- Policy briefs development
- Speaker series
- Media events
- Public debates
- Artistic exhibits, performances or festivals
- Development of interactive technologies
- Adaptation of texts or presentations
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$20,000
Toronto
Organizing a public debate on climate change policy
$40,000
Calgary
Creating an art exhibit focusing on migration narratives
$50,000
Quebec City
Developing an interactive platform for remote learning
$35,000
Montreal
Hosting a series of media events on healthcare innovation
$45,000
Vancouver
Organizing a bilingual conference on sustainable urban development
$30,000
Halifax
Hosting a workshop on Indigenous economic development
grant_single_labels|admissibility
Eligibility criteria for the SSHRC Connection Grants include subject matter boundaries, participant qualifications, and institutional requirements.
- Proposals can involve any disciplines, thematic areas, approaches or subject areas eligible for SSHRC funding.
- Events are short-term activities, typically completed within a week.
- Proposed outreach activities must engage a broader public in social sciences and humanities knowledge.
- Only Canadian institutions with institutional eligibility can administer funds.
- Individual applicants must be affiliated with a Canadian postsecondary institution that holds institutional eligibility.
- Postdoctoral researchers are eligible if they establish 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.
- Federal scientists must demonstrate that their proposed activity is not related to their employer's mandate or normal duties.
- Not-for-profit organizations must contact SSHRC at least five business days prior to the application deadline for eligibility.
- Co-applicants must be formally affiliated with eligible organizations like Canadian postsecondary institutions or international postsecondary institutions.
- Collaborators can be any individual who makes a significant contribution to the project and do not need affiliation with an eligible postsecondary institution.
- Individuals can apply for only one Connection Grant per calendar year.
- Applicants or project directors on an active SSHRC Connection Grant cannot apply for another individual or institutional Connection Grant.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
The Connection Grants are primarily available to institutions and not specifically companies. However, they pertain to not-for-profit organizations involved in the social sciences and humanities. Below are eligible types of institutions that can administer funds for the grant:
- Canadian postsecondary institutions
- Not-for-profit organizations
- Philanthropic foundations
- Think tanks
- Municipal, territorial, or provincial governments
- International postsecondary institutions
- Indigenous not-for-profit organizations
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There are no specific types of companies mentioned in the grant context that are not eligible for the grant.
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
Eligible expenses for this grant include support for short-term, targeted knowledge mobilization initiatives.
- Dissemination of research knowledge via text adaptation or translation
- Development of policy briefs, knowledge syntheses, and scoping reviews
- Preparation of articles for specialized or general interest media
- Virtual networking events
- Media events like television/radio presentations
- Speaker series and public debates
- Artistic exhibits, performances, or festivals
- Development and use of interactive technologies, audiovisual products, or software
- Development and use of educational aids or equipment
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
The eligible geographic zones for this grant are Canada and abroad, with the condition that projects occurring abroad must justify the potential to mobilize Canadian research on an international stage and explain why the project must take place outside Canada.
- Canada
- Abroad (with justification for mobilizing Canadian research internationally)
grant_single_labels|criteria
Yes, there are evaluation and selection criteria for the Connection Grants under the SSHRC. The applications are reviewed based on three main criteria: Challenge, Feasibility, and Capability, each weighted differently in the evaluation process.
- Challenge—The aim and importance of the endeavour (40%):
- Originality, significance, and expected contribution to the preservation of, access to, and/or mobilization of research knowledge
- Quality of the proposed project and appropriateness of the approach
- Quality and significance of the research being mobilized
- Quality of training and mentoring to be provided to students, emerging scholars, and other highly qualified personnel, and opportunities for them to contribute
- Potential for the project results to have influence and impact within and/or beyond the social sciences and humanities research community
- Feasibility—The plan to achieve excellence (30%):
- Appropriateness of the proposed timeline and probability that the objectives will be met
- Appropriateness of the requested budget and justification of proposed costs
- Indications of other planned resources including leveraging of cash and in-kind support from other sources
- Capability—The expertise to succeed (30%):
- Quality, quantity, and significance of past experience and published and/or creative outputs of the applicant/project director and any co-applicants relative to their roles in the event or activity and the stage of their career
- Evidence of past knowledge mobilization activities and of impacts on professional practice, social services, and policies
- Quality and quantity of past contributions to the training and mentoring of students, postdoctoral researchers, and other highly qualified personnel
grant_single_labels|register
- Step 1: Confirm Eligibility
- Ensure eligibility as an applicant, co-applicant, or collaborating institution.
- Affiliations must be with an eligible Canadian institution or certain not-for-profit organizations.
- Step 2: Prepare Application Documentation
- Complete the application form as per instructions provided.
- Include necessary evidence for matching funding, such as letters of support from sponsoring organizations.
- Step 3: Submit Application
- Submit electronically via the authorized research grants officer or an equivalent representative from the applicant's institution.
- If a postdoctoral researcher, submit directly to SSHRC.
- Step 4: Meet Application Deadlines
- Submit the application by the relevant deadline: February 1, May 1, June 20, or November 1 at 8 p.m. (eastern time).
- Step 5: Await Merit Review
- SSHRC will review the application through a competitive merit process.
- Decisions will be based on merit review committee recommendations and funds available.
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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
SSHRC Connection Grants Summary
The SSHRC Connection Grants provide funding for events and outreach activities aimed at mobilizing social sciences and humanities research. Grants range from $7,000 to $50,000, with the possibility of higher amounts if well justified, offering support for workshops, conferences, and other initiatives that facilitate knowledge exchange.
Detailed Overview of SSHRC Connection Grants
The Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) Connection Grants are designed to support events and outreach activities focusing on targeted, short-term knowledge mobilization initiatives. Whether it's workshops, conferences, forums, or other gatherings of experts, these grants foster disciplinary and interdisciplinary exchanges among social sciences and humanities professionals, scholars from various research fields, and even international participants.
Grant Objectives and Scope
Connection Grants respond to the objectives of the Research Partnerships program. The grants support short-term initiatives that aim to mobilize knowledge and engage stakeholders, fostering an exchange of ideas on pressing research issues. These initiatives are often seen as a stepping stone to more comprehensive, long-term projects. Through workshops, colloquiums, conferences, forums, and summer institutes, the grants facilitate knowledge exchange among:
- Disciplinary and/or interdisciplinary professionals in the social sciences and humanities.
- Scholars from various research fields, including those outside the social sciences and humanities.
- Academic researchers, public sector experts, private sector practitioners, and not-for-profit organizations.
- International researchers, students, and non-academic partners.
Eligibility Criteria
Connection Grants are open to a broad range of applicants, including:
- Institutions: Canadian institutions that hold institutional eligibility can administer funds. The intellectual and governance leadership for these activities can come from the research community or the not-for-profit sector.
- Individuals: Individuals affiliated with a Canadian postsecondary institution that holds institutional eligibility. Postdoctoral researchers and students can also apply, provided they meet their specific criteria.
Projects must adhere to subject matter guidelines that align with SSHRC’s goals and cannot focus solely on stand-alone research activities such as literature reviews or data collection. Proposed events should be short-term and typically completed within a week, while outreach activities should engage a broader public through various means, including policy briefs, media events, public debates, and more.
Funding Amounts and Duration
Connection Grants can range from $7,000 to $50,000, with higher amounts considered if well justified. The funding is intended to cover one year and is available for both events and outreach activities. It’s crucial to note that SSHRC requires applicants to secure matching funds equivalent to at least 50% of the amount requested. These additional funds can stem from eligible cash and in-kind contributions from sponsoring organizations.
Applicants must demonstrate their ability to secure these matching funds by including signed letters of support from sponsoring organizations. These letters should confirm the amounts and types of contributions provided. Individual contributions do not count towards the required 50% matching funds, and SSHRC will only consider eligible funds from sponsoring organizations.
For not-for-profit organizations involved in the partnership, a salary research allowance can also be requested to release them from their organizational duties.
Application Process
Applications must be submitted electronically by a research grants officer or an authorized representative from the applicant’s institution. Eligible postdoctoral researchers not affiliated with an SSHRC-eligible institution can submit applications directly to SSHRC. Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications well ahead of the proposed project’s start date, keeping in mind that SSHRC does not award retroactive grants for past events or activities.
The merit review process involves a competitive evaluation based on three main criteria: Challenge (40%), Feasibility (30%), and Capability (30%). Applications must score at least 3.0 out of 5 for each criterion to be considered for funding. Results are communicated through SSHRC’s Extranet for Applicants and the Grants and Scholarships Administration Portal.
Important Deadlines
SSHRC Connection Grants have multiple application deadlines throughout the year: February 1, May 1, June 20, and November 1. Applicants should be aware that if a deadline falls on a weekend or a public holiday observed in Ontario, the online application system will remain open until 8 p.m. (Eastern Time) on the next business day.
Key dates for 2024-25 have been adjusted once to ensure better application processing. The typical deadlines will resume following this period, making it essential for applicants to stay updated on schedules.
Eligible Expenses and Restrictions
Grant funds should be utilized appropriately, adhering to the guidelines set out by SSHRC. Specific rules include:
- Grant funds cannot be used to provide salaries or stipends to applicants, co-applicants, collaborators, or faculty members eligible to hold a grant from the agency.
- Funds cannot cover conference registration fees or pure research activities.
- An organization cannot serve as both a contractor and a sponsor in the same project.
- Funds (up to $50,000) can be deployed to develop connection-related tools for knowledge mobilization activities.
Key Benefits and Potential Impact
Connection Grants offer significant benefits by providing a platform for knowledge mobilization and fostering important connections among stakeholders. By supporting interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral exchanges, these grants help bridge the gap between academic research and practical application, ensuring that valuable insights reach a broader audience.
The emphasis on events and outreach activities geared towards specific knowledge mobilization goals can transform research findings into actionable strategies, influencing policies and practices. This, in turn, fosters a more informed and engaged society, contributing to the social sciences and humanities' ongoing evolution.
Conclusion
The SSHRC Connection Grants are a vital asset for researchers and institutions looking to disseminate their work and engage with a diverse audience. By providing financial support for events and outreach activities, these grants help to create a network of knowledge-sharing that enriches both the academic community and the broader public. Leveraging these opportunities can significantly enhance the impact of research and foster meaningful collaborations across various disciplines and sectors.
