International joint initiatives
In addition to the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council’s (SSHRC) main funding programs, the agency facilitates international research collaboration through bilateral and multilateral joint initiatives with other research funders. These often take the form of a special funding opportunity for international teams of researchers, focusing on research, research training, or knowledge mobilization. SSHRC will continue to invest in these initiatives like those below as an opportunity to advance strategic partnerships or research areas.
If you are part of an organization that would like to partner with SSHRC to offer an international joint initiative, contact Z-S-International@sshrc-crsh.gc.ca.
Trans-Atlantic Platform
The Trans-Atlantic Platform for Social Sciences and Humanities (T-AP) is a collaboration between humanities and social science research funders from South America, North America, Europe and Africa. As an inaugural member, SSHRC has worked with T-AP partners to launch various international calls addressing significant societal issues.
New Frontiers in Research Fund—International
The New Frontiers in Research Fund (NFRF) supports world-leading interdisciplinary, international, high-risk / high-reward, transformative and rapid-response Canadian-led research. NFRF’s International stream aims to support international collaborations and position Canada and Canadian researchers as strategic partners at the international level.
- International Joint Initiative for Research Harnessing Disruptive Technologies to Address Global Challenges (2026)
- NordForsk-led International Joint Initiative on Sustainable Development in the Arctic (2024)
- International Joint Initiative for Research in Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation (2023)
Enhancing Resilience to Wildfires in the Wildland-Rural Interface
This initiative sees SSHRC partner with the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the United Kingdom’s UK Research and Innovation, and the United States’ National Science Foundation, to invite research teams to develop new frameworks that better explain current fire behaviour; assess emerging risks and impacts; and guide more effective prevention, mitigation and adaptation strategies.
South Africa-Canada Seed Grant for Collaborative Research
Through this initiative, SSHRC, in partnership with South Africa’s National Research Foundation, invites research teams to apply for a seed grant to build capacity, foster new and existing partnerships, and develop networks and/or consortiums among the Canadian and South African research communities, focused on key areas of mutual interest.
Knowledge Synthesis Grants
Several of the Knowledge Synthesis Grant competitions on the 16 global future challenges identified through SSHRC’s Imagining Canada’s Future Initiative offer a second, international stream in partnership with an international research funding agency.
Artificial intelligence humanities sandpits
In partnership with UK Research and Innovation’s Arts and Humanities Research Council, this initiative invites researchers to participate in a humanities-led, interdisciplinary research sandpit, putting humanities insights and methodologies at the heart of artificial intelligence tech design. Through a series of workshops, teams develop project ideas for further funding.
Metascience and AI postdoctoral fellowship
In partnership with the United States’ Alfred P. Sloan Foundation and UK Research and Innovation, this initiative supports early career researchers in the social sciences and humanities (with a particular emphasis on philosophy, sociology of science and metascience) to investigate the implications of artificial intelligence for the science and research ecosystem.
Canada-France call on artificial intelligence
In partnership with the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council, Canadian Institutes of Health Research, and France’s Agence nationale de la recherche, and in collaboration with IVADO (a research, training, and knowledge mobilization consortium in artificial intelligence [AI]), this initiative supports AI interdisciplinary research with a particular focus on generative AI and the safety of embedded AI.
Horizon Europe
Canada now holds associate country status in Horizon Europe, the world’s largest research and innovation funding program, which involves countries around the globe. Innovation, Science, and Economic Development Canada manages Canada’s participation in Horizon Europe. SSHRC has run several funding opportunities, some on behalf of the tri-agency through NFRF and others directly, to support Canadian researchers participating in European consortia.
Open Research Area
Created in 2010 to strengthen international cooperation in the social sciences, the Open Research Area (ORA) initiative supports international teams undertaking high-quality research projects in any social science discipline, on any topic (hence “Open”), supported by participating funders.
National Science Foundation—Global Centres
The United States’ National Science Foundation (NSF) Global Centres is an initiative led by the NSF with key research funders from around the world. It is designed to encourage and support international collaborative research that tackles serious global challenges. SSHRC has participated in Global Centres funding opportunities, promoting the importance of social sciences and humanities research perspectives in addressing global challenges.