Funding
SSHRC supports postsecondary-based research, research training and knowledge mobilization activities in the social sciences and humanities.
SSHRC funding opportunities are available through three programs: Talent, Insight and Connection.
- To determine if your research falls under SSHRC's mandate, see the guidelines on subject matter eligibility.
- For descriptions of SSHRC terms, see Definitions of Terms.
For information regarding SSHRC’s official languages policy, see Regulations Governing Grant Applications, Regulations Governing Fellowship and Scholarship Applications and SSHRC Policy on Section 41 of the Official Languages Act.
| Funding Opportunity |
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| 2020 Horizon Global Platform Competition The objective of the International stream is to support international research collaborations and position Canada and Canadian researchers as strategic partners at the international level. This is achieved through two mechanisms. The first mechanism involves joint calls with international agencies on topics of international relevance. The second mechanism funds the participation of Canadian researchers on international research projects supported by major global platforms. |
| Alice Wilson Award (Supplemental award for SSHRC Postdoctoral Fellowship applicants) A $1,000 award is offered yearly to each of three female postdoctoral award recipients selected from across the three federal research granting agencies. |
| Awards to Scholarly Publications Program Through this program, the Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences supports books of advanced scholarship in the humanities and social sciences that make an important contribution to knowledge. |
| Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships Open to both Canadian and international researchers who have recently completed a PhD, PhD-equivalent or health professional degree Application deadline September 18, 2019 Competition closed |
| Belmont Forum The Belmont Forum aims to enhance co-operation and co-ordination of global environmental change research. While the Belmont Forum does not offer additional or dedicated research funds, SSHRC invites Canadian researchers to develop proposals that involve their international colleagues and partners and to submit their applications through funding opportunities offered under SSHRC’s Insight program and Connection program. Apply via: For more information, visit the Belmont Forum website or contact SSHRC at: Email: partnershipgrants@sshrc-crsh.gc.ca |
| Bora Laskin National Fellowship in Human Rights Research (Supplemental award for SSHRC Postdoctoral Fellowship applicants) A $10,000 supplement is awarded yearly to a SSHRC Postdoctoral Fellow conducting research in the field of human rights. |
| Canada Graduate Scholarships - Doctoral Program The Canada Graduate Scholarships - Doctoral (CGS D) program is a federal program of scholarships awarded through national competitions by the granting agencies: the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC). The CGS D program supports high-calibre students engaged in doctoral programs in all academic disciplines. This support allows scholars to fully concentrate on their doctoral studies, to seek out the best research mentors in their chosen fields and contribute to the Canadian research ecosystem during and beyond the tenure of their awards. Application deadline October 17, 2019 (direct applications) November 21, 2019 (institution applications) |
| Canada Graduate Scholarships—Master's Program This funding opportunity description is housed on the NSERC website. |
| Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC): CMHC–SSHRC Housing Research Training Awards Program SSHRC and CMHC are partnering to offer postdoctoral fellowships to individuals conducting social sciences and humanities research in areas related to housing. Each fellowship is valued at $45,000 per year and is tenable for up to 24 months. Further information can be found on the CMHC National Housing Strategy website. Eligible candidates must apply through SSHRC’s Postdoctoral Fellowships funding opportunity and select the CMHC-SSHRC Housing Research Training Awards Program from the drop-down menu in their application form. They must also provide a justification as to why their research should be considered for these awards. |
| Canada-UK Artificial Intelligence Initiative The Canada-UK Artificial Intelligence Initiative is an interdisciplinary and international funding opportunity offered by Canada’s three federal research funding agencies and four research councils from the UK Research and Innovation. The call is open to researchers from Canada and the United Kingdom. In their proposals, applicants will be required to demonstrate a significant degree of interdisciplinarity, with research that cuts across at least two of the following research domains: social sciences and humanities; health and biomedical sciences; and natural sciences and engineering. For more information, visit the Economic and Social Research Council website, which is coordinating this initiative, and SSHRC’s webpage on the Canada-UK Artificial Intelligence Initiative or contact: Lauren Mathieson |
| Canadian 2019 Novel Coronavirus Rapid Research Funding Opportunity The Government of Canada would like to provide further information on the pending launch of a rapid research response to contribute to global efforts to contain the 2019 Novel Coronavirus outbreak. Application deadline February 18, 2020 Competition closed |
| Centre for International Governance Innovation—International Law Research Program SSHRC partners with the International Law Research Program of the Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI) to support postdoctoral social sciences and humanities research and related activities, in the areas of international economic, intellectual property, environmental and/or Indigenous law. Doctoral students completing their SJD/PhD in law, and those who have completed such a degree in the last two years, may be eligible to be considered for a fellowship valued at up to $80,500 per year, to a maximum of 24 months. For more information, please visit the CIGI website. Eligible candidates must apply through SSHRC’s Postdoctoral Fellowships funding opportunity and make the appropriate selection from the drop-down menu in their application form. They must also explain why their research should be considered for CIGI’s International Law Research Program. |
| CGS Michael Smith Foreign Study Supplements A tri-agency program to support Canadian graduate students build global linkages and international networks through exceptional research experiences at research institutions outside of Canada Application deadline See description for deadline information |
| College and Community Innovation Program This program aims to increase innovation at the community and/or regional level by enabling Canadian colleges to increase their capacity to work with local companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises. It supports applied research and collaborations that facilitate commercialization, as well as technology transfer and adaptation, and adoption of new technologies. The program is managed by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) in collaboration with SSHRC and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. For more information, visit the College and Community Innovation Program page on the NSERC website or contact: Éric Bergeron |
| Community and College Social Innovation Fund Following the success of the Community and College Social Innovation Fund (CCSIF) pilot program, the 2017 federal budget provided an additional $10 million over two years beginning in 2017–18 to continue the pilot. The pilot will be delivered under the College and Community Innovation (CCI) Program managed by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), in collaboration with the Social Sciences Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). CCSIF Grants are intended to support college social innovation research projects in partnership with local community organizations. CCSIF proposals can be multidisciplinary and may fall under the research domains of the social sciences and humanities, natural sciences and engineering, and/or health sciences. Applications exclusively in the social sciences and humanities, or in health sciences, or in the natural sciences and engineering, will be funded by SSHRC, CIHR, or NSERC, as appropriate. Multidisciplinary grants containing a natural sciences and engineering research component will be funded by NSERC. Application deadline December 2, 2019 Competition closed |
| Connection Grants To support short-term, targeted knowledge mobilization events and activities Application deadline November 1, February 1, May 1, August 1 (8 p.m. eastern) |
| Connection Grants: Indigenous Research Capacity and Reconciliation Indigenous Research Capacity and Reconciliation—Connection Grants support interdisciplinary events and outreach activities geared toward short-term, targeted knowledge mobilization initiatives to contribute to the CRCC-prioritized national dialogue. These events and activities represent opportunities to engage and exchange knowledge on successful ways of conducting Indigenous research that are transformative and contribute to reconciliation, including holistic, interdisciplinary and distinctions-based approaches. Application deadline September 6, 2018 Competition closed |
| Consortium of Humanities Centers and Institutes SSHRC Postdoctoral Fellowship holders or candidates are invited to connect with the Consortium of Humanities Centers and Institutes (CHCI) to explore the possibility of organizing a residency with one of CHCI’s member centers or institutes. While not a source of additional or dedicated research funds, this collaboration with CHCI can help SSHRC Postdoctoral Fellowship holders strengthen their research and secure additional opportunities in research training and career development. SSHRC Postdoctoral Fellowship holders or candidates may contact any prospective CHCI host organizations before submitting their postdoctoral application to SSHRC, or at any point after receiving notification that they have obtained a SSHRC Postdoctoral Fellowship. For more information, contact: Sylvia K. Miller |
| Department of National Defence MINDS Scholarship Initiative As part of a joint initiative with SSHRC, the Department of National Defence is offering research training awards and supplements at the master’s, doctoral and postdoctoral levels to social sciences and humanities students and researchers whose work is related to the Mobilizing Insights in Defence and Security (MINDS) Policy Challenges, as well as Canada’s defence policy, Strong, Secure, Engaged. Eligible candidates seeking master’s-level funding must apply through the Canada Graduate Scholarships—Master’s (CGS M) Program. There are two streams of funding for CGS M award holders under this initiative:
Note: To be offered a MINDS Master’s Scholarship for Indigenous Students or a MINDS Scholarship Initiative Supplement, candidates must first be successful in the CGS M Program competition. Eligible candidates seeking postdoctoral-level funding must apply through the SSHRC Postdoctoral Fellowships funding opportunity. All candidates will be asked to submit a justification to be considered for these awards and supplements. Additional information is available on the MINDS Scholarship Initiative website. |
| Department of National Defence Research Initiative This joint initiative between SSHRC and Defence Research and Development Canada, an agency of the Department of National Defence, supports social sciences and humanities research and related activities pertaining to Defence Research and Development Canada’s research priorities. Interested researchers should develop proposals related to this focus and submit their applications through the competitions listed below. See the Department of National Defence Research Initiative description for more information. Apply via: For more information, contact: Chantal Meda |
| Healthy Cities Research Training Platform The Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) are jointly funding a national Healthy Cities Research Training Platform (HCRTP) to develop an interdisciplinary, cross-sectoral training initiative that will generate cutting-edge knowledge and build capacity for implementation science and solutions-based research. Letter of Intent deadline: December 10, 2019 For more information, visit the HCRTP webpage or contact: Katarina Ghdaye |
| Horizon 2020 Migration Call SSHRC is launching a call for proposals in support of Canadian researchers’ engagement with European research consortia funded via the Horizon 2020 (H2020) research platform. This is the second round of this SSHRC funding opportunity. Application deadline March 12, 2020 |
| Initiative for Digital Citizen Research This joint initiative between SSHRC and Canadian Heritage supports the goals of Canada’s approach to protecting democracy by funding social sciences and humanities research on or related to online disinformation. Interested students and researchers are invited to visit the Initiative for Digital Citizen Research description and apply through SSHRC’s Insight Grants, SSHRC Doctoral Fellowships, or SSHRC Postdoctoral Fellowships. It is also possible to obtain funding for connection activities by consulting the description of the special call and applying to SSHRC’s November 2019 or February 2020 Connection Grants funding opportunity. For more information about how to apply through the Insight Grants funding opportunity, contact: Dina Guth For more information about how to apply through the Doctoral Fellowships, Postdoctoral Fellowships, or Connection Grants funding opportunities, contact: Lauren Abrams |
| Insight Development Grants To support research in its initial stages Application deadline February 2, 2020 Competition closed |
| Insight Grants To support research initiatives of up to five years Application deadline October 15, 2019 Competition closed |
| Jules and Gabrielle Léger Fellowship (Supplemental award for SSHRC Postdoctoral Fellowship applicants) A $10,000 supplement is awarded yearly to a SSHRC Postdoctoral Fellowship recipient conducting research on the historical and contemporary contribution of the Crown to the life of the country. |
| Knowledge Synthesis Grants: Canada-UK trade relationships SSHRC in Canada, and the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) in the United Kingdom, have launched this dedicated Knowledge Synthesis Grants (KSG) competition to assess the state of research knowledge on Canada-UK trade relationships, in a post-Brexit context. Application deadline March 28, 2018 Competition closed |
| Knowledge Synthesis Grants: Global Landscape How will Canada continue to thrive in an interconnected world and evolving global landscape? Application deadline January 12, 2017 Competition closed |
| Knowledge Synthesis Grants: Informing Best Practices in Environmental and Impact Assessments SSHRC and the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (CEAA) have launched this Knowledge Synthesis Grants (KSG) competition to stimulate social sciences and humanities research that will help inform best practices related to environmental and impact assessments. Environmental assessment and impact assessment (which take into consideration a broader range of factors, such as socio-economic) are planning and decision-making tools to minimize or avoid the potential adverse environmental effects of a project and to maximize positive impacts and incorporate environmental and other factors into decision-making. Application deadline July 10, 2019 Competition closed |
| Knowledge Synthesis Grants: Living Within the Earth’s Carrying Capacity SSHRC, with support from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, has launched this Knowledge Synthesis Grants competition aimed at examining ways to adapt to living within the Earth’s carrying capacity, which is considered one of humanity’s most important challenges. Application deadline January 7, 2020 Competition closed |
| Mitacs Accelerate Applicants working with Canadian businesses and/or eligible not-for-profit organizations are invited to apply for internship cofunding through the Mitacs Accelerate internships program as a component of their project’s training of graduate students and/or postdoctoral researchers. Grant holders in the following funding opportunities are automatically preapproved for Mitacs Accelerate internships: Interested grant holders must submit a completed Mitacs Accelerate application form to Mitacs after SSHRC competition results have been announced. To access the Accelerate application form, contact a Mitacs business development representative. |
| Mitacs Elevate Fellowships SSHRC Postdoctoral Fellowship applicants working with Canadian business and/or eligible not-for-profit organizations are invited to apply for a Mitacs Elevate Fellowship. Eligible candidates must make the proper selection from the drop-down menu in their SSHRC application form. They are also required to complete an abridged Mitacs Elevate application form and upload it along with their SSHRC Postdoctoral Fellowship application materials. To access the Elevate application form, please contact a Mitacs business development representative. |
| Mitacs Elevate Research Management Training Initiative As part of a joint initiative and partnership with Mitacs, SSHRC is offering exclusive access and additional travel support to SSHRC Postdoctoral Fellowship holders who wish to participate in the Mitacs research management training initiative. This program consists of in-person and online networking and training activities focusing on developing skills in leadership and management, communication and relationship building, and personal and professional management over a two-year period. To be considered for this training opportunity, SSHRC Postdoctoral Fellowship candidates must make the appropriate selection from the drop-down menu in their application form. They are also required to submit a brief expression of interest indicating how participation in this initiative aligns with, and might enhance, their professional development goals. Candidates do not need to apply for the Mitacs Elevate fellowship to be considered for the Mitacs Elevate research management training initiative, as the initiative is separate and distinct from the fellowship. |
| New Frontiers in Research Fund—2020 Transformation Competition The Transformation stream is designed to support large-scale, Canadian-led interdisciplinary research projects that address a major challenge with the potential to realize real and lasting change (high reward). The challenge may be fundamental, leading to a scientific breakthrough, or applied, with a social, economic, environmental or health impact. Projects are expected to be world-leading, drawing on global research expertise where relevant. Application deadline November 18, 2020 |
| New Frontiers in Research Fund—2019 Exploration Competition The objective of the Exploration stream of the NFRF program is to support high risk, high reward and interdisciplinary research that is not easily supported through funding opportunities currently offered by the three agencies. It seeks to inspire projects that bring disciplines together beyond traditional disciplinary or common interdisciplinary approaches by research teams with the capacity to explore something new, which might fail but has the potential for significant impact. Exploration grants aim to have a variety of types of impacts, some of which might be social, economic, scientific, artistic or cultural. This is not an exhaustive list; other types of impacts are also recognized. Application deadline December 10, 2019 Competition closed |
| New Frontiers in Research Fund—Exploration—December 2018 Inaugural Competition Consult the frequently asked questions or contact us Application deadline February 14, 2019 Competition closed |
| Open Research Area SSHRC is partnering with Agence Nationale de la Recherche (France), Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (Germany) and the Economic and Social Research Council (United Kingdom) to launch the sixth Open Research Area Call for Proposals. The call supports joint international research projects to strengthen international co-operation and to fund high quality scientific research. The ORA 6 scheme will provide funding for integrated projects by researchers coming from at least three of the four subscribing countries (Canada, France, Germany and UK). For more information, visit Open Research Area or contact: Mika Oehling Application deadline September 11, 2019 Competition closed |
| Partnership Development Grants To develop research and related activities in the social sciences and humanities Application deadline November 15, 2019 Competition closed |
| Partnership Engage Grants To support short-term partnered research activities involving a postsecondary institution and a single organization from the public, private or not-for-profit sectors Application deadline September 15, December 15, March 15 and June 15 |
| Partnership Grants - Stage 1 Partnership Grant proposals are expected to respond to the objectives of the Insight program or the Connection program, or a combination thereof. Proposals exclusively for partnered research training initiatives are expected to respond, instead, to the objectives of the Talent program. Please see the Insight, Connection and Talent program descriptions for more details. Application deadline February 15, 2019 Competition closed |
| Partnership Grants - Stage 2 To support new and existing formal research and/or knowledge mobilization partnerships over four to seven years Application deadline October 29, 2019 Competition closed |
| Research Data Centres Program The Research Data Centres Program is a strategic joint initiative of SSHRC and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research to promote research and training in the application of social and health statistics using Statistics Canada data. The initiative is administered by the Canadian Research Data Centres Network. Applications may be submitted at any time. Results will be announced approximately five to eight weeks after submission. Applicants must complete the application form in accordance with the accompanying instructions. The Research Data Centres Program also offers an application type called Program of Research, which provides access to research data needed for large projects that have several subprojects on related themes. Researchers submit a proposal for the approval of the overall research program. Once the program is approved, researchers can submit an application for specific projects (project summary) that fall under the umbrella of the program of research. For more information about the Research Data Centres Program, contact: Mika Oehling |
| Research Data Management Capacity Building Initiative To continue helping the Canadian social sciences and humanities research community better understand data management and incorporate data management considerations into research practices, SSHRC’s Research Data Management Capacity Building Initiative will fund at least 10 meritorious Connection Grants proposals per competition to support the research community’s development, adoption and dissemination of research data management standards, practices, tools and skills appropriate to their field. |
| Societal Implications of Genomics Research Societal Implications of Genomics Research is a joint initiative of SSHRC and Genome Canada. The initiative promotes social sciences and humanities research and related activities aimed at expanding understanding of the potential for new and emerging genomic innovations to profoundly affect society. Interested researchers should develop proposals related to this focus and submit their applications through funding opportunities offered under SSHRC’s Insight program and Connection program. Apply via: |
| Sport Participation Research Initiative This joint initiative between SSHRC and Sport Canada supports the goals of the Canadian Sport Policy by funding eligible researchers through Insight Grants, and selected doctoral students and postdoctoral researchers, to conduct research on matters related to enhancing participation in sport—and to the outcomes thereof—in Canada. See the Sport Participation Research Initiative description for more information. Apply via: For more information, contact: Sébastien Demers |
| SSHRC Doctoral Fellowships (direct applications) For students applying to, or registered in, a doctoral program or a combined MA/PhD program in the social sciences or humanities Application deadline October 17, 2019 Competition closed |
| SSHRC Doctoral Fellowships (institution applications) For students applying to, or registered in, a doctoral program or a combined MA/PhD program in the social sciences or humanities Application deadline See description for deadline information |
| SSHRC Impact Awards SSHRC Impact Awards are designed to build on and sustain Canada’s research-based knowledge culture in the social sciences and humanities. The awards recognize outstanding researchers and celebrate their achievements in research, research training, knowledge mobilization and outreach activities funded partially or completely by SSHRC. Application deadline March 6, 2018 Competition closed |
| SSHRC Postdoctoral Fellowships To support promising new scholars (PhD holders) in the social sciences and humanities Application deadline September 18, 2019 Competition closed |
| Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships To support Canadian and international students undertaking doctoral studies at Canadian universities |
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