Joint initiatives
Through joint initiatives, the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) collaborates with national or international agencies, government departments and organizations across the public, private and not-for-profit sectors to help advance strategic objectives. The resulting joint initiatives support graduate students and postdoctoral, early career and established researchers to advance social sciences and humanities knowledge and its application.
Competitions
2025
Indigenous Science and the Impacts of Plastic Pollution: October 2025 Competition
This joint initiative between SSHRC and Environment and Climate Change Canada provides research funding support through arm’s-length Research Partnerships grants to address knowledge gaps about the impacts of plastic pollution on Indigenous communities through the various stages of the plastic lifecycle.
- Application deadline: October 16, 2025 (8:00 p.m. eastern)
- Value and duration: Up to $237,500 for up to 2 years
Instructions
Indigenous Capacity and Leadership in Research Connection Grants: September 2025 Competition
These grants aim to contribute to Indigenous leadership and self-determination in research by funding events and activities representing opportunities to engage and exchange knowledge on successful ways of conducting Indigenous research that are transformative and contribute to Indigenous-led research, including holistic and distinctions-based approaches.
- Application deadline: September 23, 2025 (8:00 p.m. eastern)
- Value and duration: Up to $50,000 for up to 1 year
Instructions
Research on Research Joint Initiative: February 2025 Competition
The goal of this joint initiative is to enhance national capacity for metaresearch, and bring Canadian expertise and perspectives into the international dialogue on improving research funding practices. Metaresearch is a vital element of social sciences and humanities research, as well as multidisciplinary research, as it allows greater insight into the ways in which research is conducted, evaluated and supported.
- Application deadline: February 20, 2025 (8:00 p.m. eastern)
- Value and duration: Up to $200,000 over 3 years
Instructions
Destination Horizon Grants: 2025 Competitions
Destination Horizon Grants support researchers affiliated with eligible Canadian postsecondary institutions to build capacity, foster existing partnerships, and further develop networks and/or consortia with European Union and other “associated countries” researchers, with the ultimate goal of applying to Horizon Europe—Pillar II calls for proposals.
- Application deadlines:
- January 22, 2025 (8:00 p.m. eastern)
- May 22, 2025 (8:00 p.m. eastern)
- September 22, 2025 (8:00 p.m. eastern)
- Value and duration: Up to $15,000 over 1 year
Instructions
2023
Open Research Area 8th Call for Proposals
The Open Research Area funding opportunity supports joint international research projects, to strengthen international cooperation and fund high-quality scientific research.
- Application deadline: November 14, 2023 (5:00 p.m. eastern)
- Value and duration: Up to $600,000 over 2 to 3 years
Social Sciences and Humanities Research Network on Sustainable Agriculture in a Net-Zero Economy
This joint initiative between SSHRC and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada supports the establishment of a research network to maximize learning outcomes in the social sciences and humanities for research in the area of agriculture, climate and the environment as it relates to a net-zero future.
- Application deadlines: October 20, 2023 (8:00 p.m. eastern)
- Value and duration: Up to $2,000,000 over 5 years
Instructions
Reconciliation Network in Response to Call to Action 65
This joint initiative between the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation and SSHRC supports establishment of a national research program with multiyear funding to advance collective understanding of reconciliation.
- Application deadlines: May 15, 2023 (8:00 p.m. eastern)
- Value and duration: $7,000 to $1,000,000 over 5 years
Instructions
2021
Canadian Research Data Centre Network Directed Grant
This funding opportunity supports access to Statistics Canada microdata through a directed grant to the Canadian Research Data Centre Network (CRDCN), a network of 32 secure computer laboratories on university campuses across Canada.
- Application deadline: September 20, 2021 (8:00 p.m. eastern)
- Value and duration: Up to $17,400,000 over 6 years
More information
Contact information
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Partnering on joint initiatives
Learn more about how your organization can partner with SSHRC on a joint initiative to develop talent, generate insights and forge connections.