Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada Quarterly Financial Report for the Quarter Ended June 30, 2026

Statement outlining results, risks and significant changes in operations, personnel and programs

1. Introduction
   1. 1.1 Authority, mandate and programs
   2. 1.2 Basis of presentation
2. Highlights of fiscal quarter and fiscal year-to-date results
   1. 2.1 Significant changes to budgetary authorities
   2. 2.2 Significant changes to authorities used
3. Risks and uncertainties
4. Significant changes related to operations, personnel and programs
5. Statement of authorities (unaudited)
6. Departmental budgetary expenditures by standard object (unaudited)

1. Introduction

This Quarterly Financial Report (QFR) has been prepared by management as required by section 65.1 of the Financial Administration Act (FAA), and in the form and manner prescribed by the Treasury Board. It should be read in conjunction with the 2026-27 Main Estimates. This report has not been subject to an external audit or review.

1.1 Authority, mandate and programs

The Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) was established in 1977 by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council Act and is a departmental corporation named in Schedule II of the FAA. SSHRC is a funding agency that promotes and supports postsecondary research and training in the social sciences and humanities to enhance the economic, social and cultural development of Canada, its communities and regions. Social sciences and humanities research builds knowledge about people in the past and present, to help create a better future.

Further information on SSHRC’s mandate and program activities can be found in Part II of the Main Estimates.

1.2 Basis of presentation

Management prepared this quarterly report using an expenditure basis of accounting. The accompanying Statement of Authorities includes SSHRC’s spending authorities granted by Parliament and those used by the agency, consistent with the Main Estimates for fiscal year 2026-27. This quarterly report has been prepared using a special-purpose financial reporting framework designed to meet financial information needs with respect to the use of spending authorities.

The authority of Parliament is required before the Government of Canada can spend monies. Approvals are given in the form of annually approved limits through appropriation acts or through legislation in the form of statutory spending authority for specific purposes.

SSHRC uses the full accrual method of accounting to prepare and present its annual financial statements that are part of the departmental results reporting process. However, the spending authorities voted by Parliament remain on an expenditure basis.

2. Highlights of fiscal quarter and fiscal year-to-date results

This section highlights the significant items that contributed to the change in resources available for the fiscal year, as well as the actual year-to-date expenditures compared to the same period of the previous fiscal year.

The following graph provides a comparison of budgetary authorities available for the full fiscal year and budgetary expenditures by quarter for fiscal years 2026-27 and 2025-26.

2.1 Significant changes to budgetary authorities

As of June 30, 2026, SSHRC’s total available authorities for fiscal year 2026-27 amounted to $1.4 billion. This represents an overall increase of $80 million (6.0%) from the comparative period of the previous year. The variance in budgetary authorities includes $26.2 million of funding to be removed from the budget authorities during 2026-27 to account for the Comprehensive Expenditures Review (CER) budget reduction announced in Budget 2025. The major changes in SSHRC’s budgetary authorities between the current and previous fiscal year, net of the CER reduction, represent $53.8 million and are as follows:

• an increase of $50.8 million from Budget 2024 to enhance support for core research grants;
• an increase of $39.3 million to support international research talent recruitment;
• an increase of $24 million for the New Frontiers in Research Fund due to a reprofile from 2020-21 to address delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic; and
• a decrease of $33.4 million for the Canada Biomedical Research Fund as the program winds down.

2.2 Significant changes to authorities used

Year-to-date spending

The following table provides a comparison of cumulative spending, at the end of the first quarter, by vote for the current and previous fiscal years.

Total budgetary expenditures amounted to $176.3 million at the end of the first quarter of fiscal year 2026-27 compared to $192.9 million reported in the same period of the previous fiscal year.

Grants and scholarships

At the end of the first quarter of fiscal year 2026-27, grant and scholarship expenses decreased by $16.7 million compared to those reported in the same period of the previous fiscal year. The decrease is mainly due to the timing of award payments and partially offset by additional budget authorities (see section 2.1).

Operating expenditures

Total personnel and non-personnel expenditures for the first quarter of fiscal year 2026-27 have remained largely in line with the comparative period of the previous fiscal year. There was an increase in personnel expenditures due to one additional pay period in the quarter ending June 2026, as compared to last year and a decrease in professional services of information technology and telecommunications which is in line with expected reductions. See the Departmental budgetary expenditures by standard object table in section 6 for details.

The total authorities used at the end of the first quarter of fiscal year 2026-27 ($176.3 million) represent 13% of total available authorities ($1.4 billion).

3. Risks and uncertainties

Through the corporate risk identification exercise, SSHRC produces an annual Corporate Risk Profile that includes strategic and operational risks, risk levels and mitigation activities. SSHRC has linked corporate risk management with its integrated planning process to ensure greater cohesion and executive oversight in delivering its mandate.

The 2026-27 risk assessment exercise provided the level of insight required to properly respond to risk through the allocation of resources, both human and financial, and prioritization of activities. Senior management is closely monitoring the following risks and mitigation measures for 2026-27:

Risk 1—Managing resources

SSHRC’s ability to allocate financial and human resources, including the recruitment and retention of talent, to support new and existing priorities may be limited by the implementation of a new grant management solution (TGMS—the Tri-Agency Grants Management Solution) compounded with multiple resource pressures facing the organization (e.g., sunsetting programs and reduced operating resources, expanded collaboration with external stakeholders and the continued adaptation to an ever-evolving environment).

Risk 2—Managing change

The continued volume, complexity, and pace of change facing both SSHRC and the research ecosystem will have a significant impact on SSHRC staff and may challenge SSHRC’s ability to successfully deliver and continue to evolve core programming.

Risk 3—Reinforcing the value of research and research training in the social sciences and humanities

SSHRC’s influence and role in the Government of Canada’s science and innovation strategy and the broader research ecosystem may be limited by the public perceptions of the value of social science and humanities research, which is directly impacted by how well we identify and communicate, in both official languages, the need for, and impact of research and training we support.

4. Significant changes related to operations, personnel and programs

The following significant changes occurred within SSHRC during the current quarter in relation to operations, personnel and programs.

At the end of February 2026, Ted Hewitt concluded his term as SSHRC president. As the Government of Canada searches for the next president, Normand Labrie, chair of the agency’s governing council, assumed the powers of the president effective March 1, 2026, in accordance with the SSHRC Act. He also assumed the role of chair of the Canada Research Coordinating Committee. Day-to-day leadership of SSHRC is overseen by Chief Operating Officer Sylvie Lamoureux, supported by the vice-presidents and associate vice-presidents.

Valérie La Traverse, SSHRC’s vice-president, Corporate Affairs, also retired on March 31, 2026. Following her departure, the Corporate Affairs and Stakeholder Engagement and Advancement of Society directorates have been merged to form the new Strategy, Communications and Performance Directorate (SCPD) under Tara Lapointe’s (vice-president, SCPD) leadership. This integration supports greater coherence among our strategic, corporate and communications functions and better enables SSHRC to advance its priorities in a complex and evolving environment.

The Canada Global Impact+ Research Talent Initiative, which includes the Canada Impact+ Research Chairs (recently renamed to be the Eddie Goldenberg Research Chairs of Canada), the Canada Impact+ Emerging Leaders program and the Canada Impact+ Research Training Awards continued to be delivered with a highly accelerated application and review schedule, with deadlines designed to quickly recruit top-tier global talent.

On May 28, the Phase 1 results of the Canada Impact+ Research Training Awards were announced, marking a significant milestone in Canada’s plan to attract international and expatriate researchers at the doctoral and postdoctoral levels through Canada’s Talent Attraction Strategy . A total of 659 awards have been offered to citizens from 72 different countries under this initiative, representing a commitment of $84.3 million over three years.

Approved by:

Normand Labrie
Interim President

Dominique Osterrath
Chief Financial Officer and Vice-President, Common Administrative Services Directorate

Ottawa, Canada
August 28, 2026

5. Statement of authorities (unaudited)

6. Departmental budgetary expenditures by standard object (unaudited)