Details on transfer payment programs

2021-22

2026-27

Grant

Appropriated annually through the Estimates

2021-22

• Canada’s social sciences and humanities research is internationally competitive.
• Canada’s social sciences and humanities research knowledge is used.

Canada Biomedical Research Fund

The Canada Biomedical Research Fund is a federal grant program announced in Budget 2021 to support high-risk and applied research, training and talent development. It is part of a suite of foundational investments to establish a resilient and robust domestic biomanufacturing sector in Canada. This fund contributes to the pipeline of new technologies and supports the translation of academic research into applications and commercial products.

This transfer payment program does not have repayable contributions.

• Research networks are developed or strengthened

Not applicable
New program

Not available

2025-26

• Not-for-profit organizations and charities
• Academia and public institutions

A variety of engagement initiatives (webinars, telephone, email, meetings with research community groups and associations) are used as part of the development and delivery process of the Canada Biomedical Research Fund to give applicants and recipients opportunities to seek and receive information and to provide feedback on service delivery.

2014

Ongoing

Grant

Appropriated annually through the Estimates

2014-15

• Canada’s social sciences and humanities research is internationally competitive.
• Canada has a pool of diverse and highly skilled people in the social sciences and humanities.

Insight Research

The Canada First Research Excellence Fund (CFREF) supports Canada’s postsecondary institutions in their efforts to become global research leaders. CFREF helps competitively selected Canadian postsecondary institutions turn their key strengths into world-leading capabilities. This program is administered by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (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.

• 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.

2020-21

Continuation

2025-26

• Academia and public institutions

A variety of engagement initiatives (webinars, site visits, telephone, email, online forums) are used as part of the regular competition cycle to give applicants and recipients opportunities to seek and receive information and to provide feedback on service delivery.

2003-04

Ongoing

Grant

Appropriated annually through the Estimates

2020-21

• Canada’s social sciences and humanities research is internationally competitive.
• Canada has a pool of diverse and highly skilled people in the social sciences and humanities.

Research Training and Talent Development

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.

• 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.

2016-17

Continuation

2024-25

• Academia and public institutions

Applicants and recipients are engaged through communication with academic institutions and tri-agency or agency-specific electronic communication.

1978

Ongoing

Grant

Appropriated annually through the Estimates

2011-12

• Canada’s social sciences and humanities research is internationally competitive.
• Canada has a pool of diverse and highly skilled people in the social sciences and humanities.
• Canada’s social sciences and humanities research knowledge is used.

• Insight Research
• Research Training and Talent Development
• Research Partnerships

The Grants and Scholarships 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.

• Canada’s social sciences and humanities research is internationally competitive.
• Canada has a pool of diverse and highly skilled people in the social sciences and humanities.
• Canada’s social sciences and humanities research knowledge is used.

2023-24

Continuation

2025-26

• Not-for-profit organizations and charities
• Academia and public institutions
• Individual or sole proprietorships

A variety of engagement initiatives (webinars, site visits, telephone, email, online forums) are used as part of the regular competition cycle to give applicants and recipients opportunities to seek and receive information and to provide feedback on service delivery.

1997

2024-25

Grant

Appropriated annually through the Estimates

2014-15

• Canada’s social sciences and humanities research is internationally competitive.
• Canada has a pool of diverse and highly skilled people in the social sciences and humanities.
• Canada’s social sciences and humanities research knowledge is used.

Research Partnerships

The Networks of Centres of Excellence (NCE) 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.

Strong linkages and partnerships between university, government and industry, and other users (NGOs) resulting in the exploitation of leading-edge research results with economical and/or societal benefits to Canada.

Networks will reach the end of the award cycle on either March 31, 2024, or March 31, 2025, and will then have 12 months to finalize any outstanding activities and commitments.

2015-16

Continuation

There are no plans to evaluate this program as the NCE is no longer an ongoing program and its funds will be gradually transferred to the New Frontiers in Research Fund.

• Not-for-profit organizations and charities
• Academia and public institutions

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 Secretariat staff liaison, who sits as an observer on the Board of Directors.

2018

Ongoing

Grant

Appropriated annually through the Estimates

2018-19

• Canada’s social sciences and humanities research is internationally competitive.
• Canada has a pool of diverse and highly skilled people in the social sciences and humanities.
• Canada’s social sciences and humanities research knowledge is used.

New Frontiers in Research Fund

The New Frontiers in Research Fund (NFRF) supports research that is international, interdisciplinary, fast breaking and high risk / high reward. It supports projects not easily supported through existing tri-agency and agency-specific mechanisms, and 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.

• 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.

Not applicable
New program

Not applicable

• 2024-25

• Other: Persons (researchers)

A variety of engagement initiatives (webinars, site visits, telephone, email, online forums) are used as part of the regular competition cycle to give applicants and recipients opportunities to seek and receive information and to provide feedback on service delivery.

2003

Ongoing

Grant

Appropriated annually through the Estimates

2022-23

Canada’s university and college research environments are strong.

Research Support Fund

The Research Support Fund (RSF) 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 funding 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. SSHRC manages this tri-agency program on behalf of CIHR, NSERC and SSHRC.

This transfer payment program does not have repayable contributions.

• 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.

2020-21

Continuation

2025-26

• Academia and public institutions

A variety of engagement initiatives (webinars, telephone, email, online forums) are used as part of the regular competition cycle to give applicants and recipients opportunities to seek and receive information and to provide feedback on service delivery.

2008-09

Ongoing

Grant

Appropriated annually through the Estimates

2014-15

• Canada’s social sciences and humanities research is internationally competitive.
• Canada has a pool of diverse and highly skilled people in the social sciences and humanities.
• Canada’s social sciences and humanities research knowledge is used.

Research Training and Talent Development

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, or 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.

• Establish a Canadian doctoral scholarship that is internationally competitive and internationally recognized.
• Enhance 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 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.

2020-21

Continuation

2025-26

• Academia and public institutions

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.

2007

2023-24

Grant

Appropriated annually through the Estimates

2012-13

• Canada’s social sciences and humanities research knowledge is used.

Research Partnerships

The Business-Led Networks of Centres of Excellence (BL-NCE) program funds large-scale collaborative research networks that bring a wide range of research expertise to bear on specific challenges identified by an industrial sector. This tri-agency program is administered by NSERC on behalf of SSHRC, CIHR and NSERC.

This transfer payment program does not have repayable contributions.

• The research knowledge and technology produced by the networks and centres are transferred and used.

2015-16

Continuation

There are no plans to evaluate this program as the BL-NCE was transferred to the Strategic Innovation Fund managed by ISED and will be evaluated as part of this fund.

• Not-for-profit organizations and charities
• Academia and public institutions

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 Secretariat staff liaison, who sits as an observer on the Board of Directors.

2017

2025-26

Grant

Appropriated annually through the Estimates

2017-18

• Canada’s social sciences and humanities research is internationally competitive.
• Canada has a pool of diverse and highly skilled people in the social sciences and humanities.

Insight Research

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.

This transfer payment program does not have repayable contributions.

• 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.

2020-21

Continuation

There are no plans to evaluate this program as it ends in 2025-26. The program has been evaluated within the five-year period since its establishment.

• Academia and public institutions

A variety of engagement initiatives (webinars, site visits, telephone, email, online forums) are used as part of the regular competition cycle to give applicants and recipients opportunities to seek and receive information and to provide feedback on service delivery.

2008

Ongoing

Grant

Appropriated annually through the Estimates

2021-22

• Canada’s social sciences and humanities research is internationally competitive.
• Canada has a pool of diverse and highly skilled people in the social sciences and humanities.
• Canada’s social sciences and humanities research knowledge is used.

Insight Research

The Canada Excellence Research Chairs program is a tri-agency initiative that supports Canadian universities in their efforts to build 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.

This transfer payment program does not have repayable contributions.

• Strengthen Canada’s ability to attract the world’s top researchers.
• Build a critical mass of expertise in priority areas identified by the government at Canadian institutions.
• Create 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.
• Contribute to the branding of Canada as a location of choice for world-leading research, science and technology development.

2020-21

Continuation

2025-26

• Academia and public institutions

A variety of engagement initiatives (webinars, site visits, telephone, email, online forums) are used as part of the regular competition cycle to give applicants and recipients opportunities to seek and receive information and to provide feedback on service delivery.

2007

2023-24

Grant

Appropriated annually through the Estimates

2012-13

• Canada’s social sciences and humanities research knowledge is used.

Research Partnerships

The Centres of Excellence for Commercialization and Research (CECR) program bridges the challenging gap between innovation and commercialization. The program matches clusters of research expertise with the business community to share the knowledge and resources that bring innovations to market faster. Centres advance research and facilitate commercialization within four priority areas: environment; natural resources and energy; health and life sciences; and information and communications technologies. This program is administered by NSERC on behalf of CIHR, SSHRC and NSERC.

This transfer payment program does not have repayable contributions.

• Pre-competitive development of promising technology and the promotion of its transfer to new or established Canadian companies are facilitated.

2017-18

Continuation

There are no plans to evaluate this program as the CECR was transferred to the Strategic Innovation Fund managed by ISED and will be evaluated as part of this fund.

• Not-for-profit organizations and charities
• Academia and public institutions

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 Secretariat staff liaison, who sits as an observer on the Board of Directors.

2007

Ongoing

Grant

Appropriated annually through Estimates

2018-19

• Canada’s social sciences and humanities research knowledge is used.

Research Partnerships

The College and Community Innovation Program (CCI) is managed by NSERC in collaboration with CIHR and SSHRC. The 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 and the adaptation and adoption of new technologies, in areas of strategic importance to Canada.

This transfer payment program does not have repayable contributions.

• 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 acquire applied research knowledge and experience, and exposure to business work environments.
• New technologies and processes are 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.

2018-19

Continuation

2024-25

• Academia and public institutions

A variety of engagement initiatives (webinars, site visits, telephone, email, online forums) are used as part of the regular competition cycle to give applicants and recipients opportunities to seek and receive information and to provide feedback on service delivery.

2018

2024-25

Grant

Appropriated annually through the Estimates

2018-19

• Canada has a pool of diverse and highly skilled people in the social sciences and humanities.
• Canada’s social sciences and humanities research knowledge is used.

Research Training and Talent Development

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 MINDS initiative aims to strengthen the Canadian knowledge base in contemporary defence and security issues by 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 levels 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.

This transfer payment program does not have repayable contributions.

• Fostering of the next generation of defence and security experts and scholars.
• Increased understanding by the Canadian public of defence and security issues.

No evaluation is required for this initiative as expenditures are below the requirement for evaluation.

Not applicable

No evaluation is planned for this initiative. Expenditures are below the requirement for evaluation.

• Academia and public institutions

A variety of engagement initiatives (webinars, site visits, telephone, email, online forums) are used as part of the regular competition cycle to give applicants and recipients opportunities to seek and receive information and to provide feedback on service delivery.