Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council

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3‑year plan for Canada First Research Excellence Fund (voted)
Start date	2014
End date	Ongoing
Type of transfer payment	Grant
Type of appropriation	Appropriated annually through the Estimates
Fiscal year for terms and conditions	2014–15
Link to departmental result(s)	Canada’s social sciences and humanities research is internationally competitive. Canada has a pool of highly skilled people in the social sciences and humanities.
Link to the department’s Program Inventory	Insight Research
Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program	The Canada First Research Excellence Fund (CFREF) supports Canada’s postsecondary institutions in their efforts to become global research leaders. CFREF helps institutions: (i) compete with the best in the world for talent, for partnership opportunities and to make breakthrough discoveries; (ii) seize emerging opportunities and strategically advance their greatest strengths on the global stage; and (iii) implement large-scale, transformational and forward-thinking institutional strategies. This program is administered by SSHRC on behalf of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) and SSHRC. This transfer payment program does not have repayable contributions.
Expected results	Institutions develop ambitious and focused strategies. Canadian postsecondary institutions excel globally in research areas of strategic relevance to Canada. Institutions contribute to creating long-term economic advantages for Canada.
Fiscal year of last completed evaluation	Not applicable (N/A)
Decision following the results of last evaluation	N/A
Fiscal year of next planned evaluation	2020–21
General targeted recipient groups	Academia and public institutions
Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients	A variety of engagement initiatives (webinars, site visits, telephone, email, online forums) are used as part of the regular competition cycle in order to give applicants and recipients opportunities to seek and receive information and to provide feedback on service delivery.

Financial information (dollars)
Type of transfer payment	2019–20 planned spending	2020–21 planned spending	2021–22 planned spending	2022–23 planned spending
Total grants	18,455,544	18,455,544	18,455,544	16,975,702
Total contributions	0	0	0	0
Total other types of transfer payments	0	0	0	0
Total program	18,455,544	18,455,544	18,455,544	16,975,702

These figures do not include operating expenses.

3‑year plan for Canada Graduate Scholarships (voted)
Start date	2003–04
End date	Ongoing
Type of transfer payment	Grant
Type of appropriation	Appropriated annually through the Estimates
Fiscal year for terms and conditions	2009–10
Link to departmental result(s)	Canada’s social sciences and humanities research is internationally competitive. Canada has a pool of highly skilled people in the social sciences and humanities.
Link to the department’s Program Inventory	Research Training and Talent Development
Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program	SSHRC’s portion of the Canada Graduate Scholarships program provides financial support to high-calibre scholars who are engaged in master’s or doctoral programs in the social sciences and humanities. This is a tri-agency program and is administered by each respective agency (CIHR, NSERC and SSHRC). This transfer payment program does not have repayable contributions.
Expected results	Increased enrolment in graduate studies in Canada; Improved time to completion of degrees for Canada Graduate Scholarship holders, relative to national statistics for time to completion in their discipline; Enhanced capacity of Canadian universities to attract the best and brightest young people who will become the next generation of researchers.
Fiscal year of last completed evaluation	2016–17
Decision following the results of last evaluation	Continuation
Fiscal year of next planned evaluation	2021–22
General targeted recipient groups	Academia and public institutions
Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients	Applicants and recipients are engaged through communication with academic institutions and tri-agency or agency-specific electronic communication.

Financial information (dollars)
Type of transfer payment	2019–20 planned spending	2020–21 planned spending	2021–22 planned spending	2022–23 planned spending
Total grants	75,073,500	77,383,500	80,008,500	80,008,500
Total contributions	0	0	0	0
Total other types of transfer payments	0	0	0	0
Total program	75,073,500	77,383,500	80,008,500	80,008,500

These figures do not include operating expenses.

In Budget 2019, the Government of Canada announced additional funding for the Canada Graduate Scholarships program to increase the number of master’s level and doctoral scholarships awards annually.

3‑year plan for Grants and Scholarships (voted)
Start date	1978
End date	Ongoing
Type of transfer payment	Grant
Type of appropriation	Appropriated annually through the Estimates
Fiscal year for terms and conditions	2011–12
Link to departmental result(s)	Canada’s social sciences and humanities research is internationally competitive. Canada has a pool of highly skilled people in the social sciences and humanities. Canada’s social sciences and humanities research knowledge is used.
Link to the department’s Program Inventory	Insight Research Research Training and Talent Development Research Partnerships
Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program	This transfer payment program consists of grants and scholarships awarded for research, talent development and research dissemination activities in the social sciences and humanities. This transfer payment program does not have repayable contributions.
Expected results	Canada’s social sciences and humanities research is internationally competitive. Canada has a pool of highly skilled people in the social sciences and humanities. Canada’s social sciences and humanities research knowledge is used.
Fiscal year of last completed evaluation	2018–19
Decision following the results of last evaluation	Continuation
Fiscal year of next planned evaluation	2020–21
General targeted recipient groups	Individuals or sole proprietorships, not-for-profit organizations and charities, academia and public institutions
Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients	A variety of engagement initiatives (webinars, site visits, telephone, email, online forums) are used as part of the regular competition cycle in order to give applicants and recipients opportunities to seek and receive information and to provide feedback on service delivery.

Financial information (dollars)
Type of transfer payment	2019–20 planned spending	2020–21 planned spending	2021–22 planned spending	2022–23 planned spending
Total grants	317,780,499	326,850,784	339,087,997	339,045,039
Total contributions	0	0	0	0
Total other types of transfer payments	0	0	0	0
Total program	317,780,499	326,850,784	339,087,997	339,045,039

These figures do not include operating expenses.

In Budget 2018, the Government of Canada increased funding for investigator-led discovery research and for the Canada Research Chairs Program. In Budget 2019, the Government of Canada increased funding for paid parental leave coverage for students and postdoctoral fellows who receive agency funding.

3‑year plan for Networks Centres of Excellence (voted)
Start date	1997
End date	2023–24
Type of transfer payment	Grant
Type of appropriation	Appropriated annually through the Estimates
Fiscal year for terms and conditions	2014–15
Link to departmental result(s)	Canada’s social sciences and humanities research is internationally competitive. Canada has a pool of highly skilled people in the social sciences and humanities. Canada’s social sciences and humanities research knowledge is used.
Link to the department’s Program Inventory	Research Partnerships
Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program	The program supports large-scale academically led research networks that harness the creativity and inventiveness of Canadian health, natural and social scientists, and engineers. Partners from industry, government and not-for-profit organizations contribute additional expertise and bring cash and in-kind support. This program is a tri-agency program administered by NSERC on behalf of CIHR, SSHRC and NSERC. This transfer payment program does not have repayable contributions.
Expected results	Strong linkages and partnerships between university, government and industry and other users (non-governmental organizations) resulting in the exploitation of leading-edge research results with economic and/or societal benefits to Canada
Fiscal year of last completed evaluation	2015–16
Decision following the results of last evaluation	Continuation
Fiscal year of next planned evaluation	N/A: program sunsetting
General targeted recipient groups	Not-for-profit organizations and charities, academia and public institutions
Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients	No further competitions are planned under this program. Existing recipients are supported by direct contact and engagement through their assigned Networks of Centres of Excellence staff liaison who sits as an observer on the Board of Directors.

Financial information (dollars)
Type of transfer payment	2019–20 planned spending	2020–21 planned spending	2021–22 planned spending	2022–23 planned spending
Total grants	8,770,000	7,757,016	7,154,819	2,304,016
Total contributions	0	0	0	0
Total other types of transfer payments	0	0	0	0
Total program	8,770,000	7,757,016	7,154,819	2,304,016

These figures do not include operating expenses.

In December 2018, the Government of Canada announced that funding for the Networks of Centres of Excellence program will be gradually transferred to the New Frontiers in Research Fund. The transition will occur over the next few years with a complete wind-down of the Networks of Centres of Excellence suite of programs by 2023–24.

3‑year plan for New Frontiers in Research Fund (voted)
Start date	2018
End date	Ongoing
Type of transfer payment	Grant
Type of appropriation	Appropriated annually through the Estimates
Fiscal year for terms and conditions	2018–19
Link to departmental result(s)	Canada’s social sciences and humanities research is internationally competitive. Canada has a pool of highly skilled people in the social sciences and humanities. Canada’s social sciences and humanities research knowledge is used.
Link to the department’s Program Inventory	New Frontiers in Research Fund
Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program	The New Frontiers in Research Fund (NFRF) transfer payment program supports research that is international, interdisciplinary, fast-breaking and high-risk / high-reward. The NFRF supports projects that are not easily supported through existing tri-agency and agency-specific mechanisms, and it contributes to enhancing Canada’s competitiveness in the global, knowledge-based economy. This program is administered by SSHRC on behalf of CIHR, NSERC and SSHRC. This transfer payment program does not have repayable contributions.
Expected results	Canada generates opportunities to build strength in high-risk, high-reward and interdisciplinary research. Canada builds strength and leadership in interdisciplinary and transformative research. Canadian researchers have enhanced opportunities to participate in research with international partners.
Fiscal year of last completed evaluation	N/A
Decision following the results of last evaluation	N/A
Fiscal year of next planned evaluation	2023–24
General targeted recipient groups	Academia and public institutions
Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients	A variety of engagement initiatives (webinars, site visits, telephone, email, online forums) are used as part of the regular competition cycle in order to give applicants and recipients opportunities to seek and receive information and to provide feedback on service delivery.

Financial information (dollars)
Type of transfer payment	2019–20 planned spending	2020–21 planned spending	2021–22 planned spending	2022–23 planned spending
Total grants	53,048,880	69,912,780	72,999,184	107,647,780
Total contributions	0	0	0	0
Total other types of transfer payments	0	0	0	0
Total program	53,048,880	69,912,780	72,999,184	107,647,780

These figures do not include operating expenses.

As a new program created in 2018–19, NFRF will increase its spending annually as the program ramps up.

3‑year plan for Research Support Fund (voted)
Start date	2003
End date	Ongoing
Type of transfer payment	Grant
Type of appropriation	Appropriated annually through the Estimates
Fiscal year for terms and conditions	2014–15
Link to departmental result(s)	Canada’s university and college research environments are strong.
Link to the department’s Program Inventory	Research Support Fund
Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program	This transfer payment program supports a portion of the indirect costs associated with the conduct of academic research in institutions that receive research grant funds from any of the three federal research granting agencies. Grants are awarded to eligible institutions using a progressive funding formula based on the average revenues from research grants received from CIHR, NSERC and SSHRC. This transfer payment program does not have repayable contributions.
Expected results	Funded Canadian institutions have well-equipped research facilities. Funded Canadian institutions have world-class research resources. The research enterprise is effectively and strategically managed and efficiently administered. Regulatory requirements related to international accreditation standards in research are met. Intellectual property generated by research activities is managed effectively.
Fiscal year of last completed evaluation	2019–20
Decision following the results of last evaluation	Continuation
Fiscal year of next planned evaluation	2024–25
General targeted recipient groups	Academia and public institutions
Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients	A variety of engagement initiatives (webinars, site visits, telephone, email, online forums) are used as part of the regular competition cycle in order to give applicants and recipients opportunities to seek and receive information and to provide feedback on service delivery.

Financial information (dollars)
Type of transfer payment	2019–20 planned spending	2020–21 planned spending	2021–22 planned spending	2022–23 planned spending
Total grants	406,767,519	415,066,290	427,638,090	427,638,090
Total contributions	0	0	0	0
Total other types of transfer payments	0	0	0	0
Total program	406,767,519	415,066,290	427,638,090	427,638,090

These figures do not include operating expenses.

3‑year plan for Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (voted)
Start date	2008–09
End date	Ongoing
Type of transfer payment	Grant
Type of appropriation	Appropriated annually through the Estimates
Fiscal year for terms and conditions	2014–15
Link to departmental result(s)	Canada’s social sciences and humanities research is internationally competitive. Canada has a pool of highly skilled people in the social sciences and humanities. Canada’s social sciences and humanities research knowledge is used.
Link to the department’s Program Inventory	Research Training and Talent Development
Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program	The Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships program is a tri-agency program designed to attract and retain world-class doctoral students by offering them a significant financial award. This financial award assists students during their studies at Canadian universities. Vanier scholars demonstrate leadership skills and a high standard of scholarly achievement in the social sciences and humanities, natural sciences and engineering, and health-related fields. This program is administered by CIHR on behalf of CIHR, NSERC and SSHRC. This transfer payment program does not have repayable contributions.
Expected results	Establishment of a Canadian doctoral scholarship that is internationally competitive and internationally recognized; Enhanced capacity of Canadian universities to attract the best and brightest students from Canada and the world with the potential to become leaders in the next generation of researchers in Canada; Attract to Canada top students from other countries who will bring with them new knowledge and ideas and enrich the Canadian learning environment; Retain Canada’s top doctoral students in the face of intense international competition for the brightest researchers; Promote and brand Canada as a home of research excellence and Canadian universities as world-class institutions of research and higher learning; Establish effective research collaborations and networks between Canada and the recipients’ home countries.
Fiscal year of last completed evaluation	2019–20
Decision following the results of last evaluation	Continuation
Fiscal year of next planned evaluation	2024–25
General targeted recipient groups	Academia and public institutions
Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients	Applicants and recipients are engaged through communication with academic institutions and directed tri-agency or agency-specific electronic communication, as well as through the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships website.

Financial information (dollars)
Type of transfer payment	2019–20 planned spending	2020–21 planned spending	2021–22 planned spending	2022–23 planned spending
Total grants	8,300,000	8,300,000	8,300,000	8,300,000
Total contributions	0	0	0	0
Total other types of transfer payments	0	0	0	0
Total program	8,300,000	8,300,000	8,300,000	8,300,000

These figures do not include operating expenses.

3‑year plan for Canada 150 Research Chairs (voted)
Start date	2017
End date	2025–26
Type of transfer payment	Grant
Type of appropriation	Appropriated annually through the Estimates
Fiscal year for terms and conditions	2017–18
Link to departmental result(s)	Canada’s social sciences and humanities research is internationally competitive. Canada has a pool of highly skilled people in the social sciences and humanities.
Link to the department’s Program Inventory	Insight Research
Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program	The Canada 150 Research Chairs Program provides Canadian universities with a one-time investment to attract top-tier, internationally based scholars and researchers (including Canadian expatriates) to Canada. This program is administered by SSHRC on behalf of CIHR, NSERC and SSHRC.
Expected results	Strengthened research capacity in Canada through the recruitment and retention of top-tier, internationally based scholars and researchers; Enhanced reputation of Canada as a global centre for science, research and innovation excellence; Improved capacity of universities to generate and apply new knowledge; Improved training and development of highly qualified research personnel.
Fiscal year of last completed evaluation	2019–20
Decision following the results of last evaluation	Continuation
Fiscal year of next planned evaluation	2024–25
General targeted recipient groups	Academia and public institutions
Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients	A variety of engagement initiatives (webinars, site visits, telephone, email, online forums) are used as part of the regular competition cycle in order to give applicants and recipients opportunities to seek and receive information and to provide feedback on service delivery.

Financial information (dollars)
Type of transfer payment	2019–20 planned spending	2020–21 planned spending	2021–22 planned spending	2022–23 planned spending
Total grants	2,100,000	2,100,000	2,100,00	2,100,000
Total contributions	0	0	0	0
Total other types of transfer payments	0	0	0	0
Total program	2,100,000	2,100,000	2,100,000	2,100,000

These figures do not include operating expenses.

3‑year plan for Canada Excellence Research Chairs (voted)
Start date	2008
End date	Ongoing
Type of transfer payment	Grant
Type of appropriation	Appropriated annually through the Estimates
Fiscal year for terms and conditions	2016–17
Link to departmental result(s)	Canada’s social sciences and humanities research is internationally competitive. Canada has a pool of highly skilled people in the social sciences and humanities. Canada’s social sciences and humanities research knowledge is used.
Link to the department’s Program Inventory	Insight Research
Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program	The Canada Excellence Research Chairs program is a tri-agency initiative that supports Canadian universities in their efforts to build on Canada’s growing reputation as a global leader in research and innovation. The program awards funding to world-renowned researchers and their teams to establish ambitious research programs at Canadian universities. This program is administered by SSHRC on behalf of CIHR, NSERC and SSHRC.
Expected results	Strengthened ability of Canada to attract the world’s top researchers; A critical mass of expertise in priority areas identified by the government at Canadian institutions; A competitive environment to help Canadian institutions attract a cadre of world-leading researchers, collaborators, partners and research users from diverse sectors, nationally and internationally; Support for the branding of Canada as a location of choice for world-leading research, science and technology development.
Fiscal year of last completed evaluation	2019–20
Decision following the results of last evaluation	Continuation
Fiscal year of next planned evaluation	2024–25
General targeted recipient groups	Academia and public institutions
Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients	A variety of engagement initiatives (webinars, site visits, telephone, email, online forums) are used as part of the regular competition cycle in order to give applicants and recipients opportunities to seek and receive information and to provide feedback on service delivery.

Financial information (dollars)
Type of transfer payment	2019–20 planned spending	2020–21 planned spending	2021–22 planned spending	2022–23 planned spending
Total grants	2,800,000	2,800,000	2,800,000	2,800,000
Total contributions	0	0	0	0
Total other types of transfer payments	0	0	0	0
Total program	2,800,000	2,800,000	2,800,000	2,800,000

These figures do not include operating expenses.

3‑year plan for College and Community Innovation Program (voted)
Start date	2007
End date	Ongoing
Type of transfer payment	Grant
Type of appropriation	Appropriated annually through Estimates
Fiscal year for terms and conditions	2018–19
Link to departmental result(s)	Canada’s social sciences and humanities research knowledge is used.
Link to the department’s Program Inventory	Research Partnerships
Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program	The College and Community Innovation (CCI) Program is managed by NSERC in collaboration with CIHR and SSHRC. The CCI Program increases 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, in areas of the natural and social sciences, engineering, the humanities and/or health. It supports applied research and collaborations that facilitate commercialization, as well as technology transfer, adaptation and adoption of new technologies in areas of strategic importance to Canada. This transfer payment program does not have repayable contributions.
Expected results	Increased awareness by local businesses of the capacity of postsecondary institutions to assist with applied research projects; Increased involvement of faculty in applied research; Increased applied research capacity at colleges; College students acquiring applied research knowledge and experience, and exposure to business work environments; New technologies and processes adopted by local businesses and other organizations; Increased applied research collaborations between colleges, universities, local businesses and other organizations; Increased research and development investment by local businesses and other organizations; Increased productivity and competitiveness of local businesses and other organizations; Enhanced reputation of colleges as applied research partners for local businesses and other organizations.
Fiscal year of last completed evaluation	2018–19
Decision following the results of last evaluation	Continuation
Fiscal year of next planned evaluation	2023–24
General targeted recipient groups	Academia and public institutions
Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients	A variety of engagement initiatives (webinars, site visits, telephone, email, online forums) are used as part of the regular competition cycle in order to give applicants and recipients opportunities to seek and receive information and to provide feedback on service delivery.

Financial information (dollars)
Type of transfer payment	2019–20 planned spending	2020–21 planned spending	2021–22 planned spending	2022–23 planned spending
Total grants	4,875,000	5,150,000	600,000	300,000
Total contributions	0	0	0	0
Total other types of transfer payments	0	0	0	0
Total program	4,875,000	5,150,000	600,000	300,000

These figures do not include operating expenses.

3‑year plan for Mobilizing Insights in Defence and Security (MINDS Scholarship Initiative)
Start date	2018
End date	2024–25
Type of transfer payment	Grant
Type of appropriation	Appropriated annually through the Estimates
Fiscal year for terms and conditions	2018–19
Link to departmental result(s)	Canada has a pool of highly skilled people in the social sciences and humanities. Canada’s social sciences and humanities research knowledge is used.
Link to the department’s Program Inventory	Research Training and Talent Development
Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program	Mobilizing Insights in Defence and Security (MINDS) is a Department of National Defence (DND) initiative, part of which is administered by SSHRC on behalf of DND. The objective of the MINDS initiative is to strengthen the Canadian knowledge base in contemporary defence and security issues through supporting research training and fostering capacity-building in defence and security-related areas across disciplines. SSHRC is responsible for providing this financial support on behalf of DND to students at the master’s and doctoral level and to postdoctoral fellows who are pursuing research related to defence and security, thereby helping to foster the next generation of defence and security experts.
Expected results	Fostering of the next generation of defence and security experts and scholars; Increased understanding by the Canadian public of defence and security issues.
Fiscal year of last completed evaluation	Not applicable (N/A)
Decision following the results of last evaluation	N/A
Fiscal year of next planned evaluation	2021–22
General targeted recipient groups	Academia and public institutions
Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients	A variety of engagement initiatives (webinars, site visits, telephone, email, online forums) are used as part of the regular competition cycle in order to give applicants and recipients opportunities to seek and receive information and to provide feedback on service delivery.

Financial information (dollars)
Type of transfer payment	2019–20 planned spending	2020–21 planned spending	2021–22 planned spending	2022–23 planned spending
Total grants	601,500	602,500	602,000	602,000
Total contributions	0	0	0	0
Total other types of transfer payments	0	0	0	0
Total program	601,500	602,500	602,000	602,000

These figures do not include operating expenses.

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Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council

Date modified:: 2025-06-06

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Details on transfer payment programs

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Details on transfer payment programs

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