Policy Innovation Partnership Grants: September 2025 Competition
| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Value | Up to $6 million |
| Duration | Up to 15 years |
| Application deadline | September 10, 2025 (8 p.m. eastern) |
| Results announced | January 2026 |
| Apply | Application and instructions |
On this page
- Description
- Target area 2025: Improving Canada’s Productivity
- Value and duration
- Eligibility
- Application process
- Merit review
- Regulations, policies and related information
- Contact information
| Date | Time (eastern) | Language | |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 26, 2025 | 11 a.m. | French | |
| March 26, 2025 | 1 p.m. | English |
Description
The goal of this pilot funding opportunity is to support a partnership between a postsecondary research entity and one or more federal government departments to establish a long-term research program focusing on specific topics in an area of importance to Canada and public decision-makers.
If the pilot is deemed successful, the funding opportunity will be offered periodically, subject to availability of funds. Each competition will focus on a new target area in which research in the social sciences and humanities is well positioned to make an impact. Only one partnership will be funded per competition.
The successful partnership is expected to advance research, capacity, and policy development in the target area by:
- engaging one or more federal government departments to identify and address public policy needs;
- conducting long-term research that generates knowledge with the potential to inform federal policy-making;
- working with, adapting and/or developing comprehensive datasets relevant to the needs of the public policy community and future researchers;
- improving access and use of research knowledge within Canada’s policy-making communities; and
- supporting high-quality training experiences for students and/or postdoctoral researchers.
The partnership is expected to be based within an established research entity at a Canadian postsecondary institution (e.g., institute, centre, lab, hub, observatory, etc.) that has a demonstrated track record in the target area. The successful partnership will have significant flexibility in the scope, priorities and activities of the program of research to adapt to new developments and changing circumstances, as needed, over the duration of the grant. As the partnership is expected to strengthen Canadian policy-making in the target area, applicants must partner with at least one Canadian federal government department.
Target area 2025: Improving Canada’s Productivity
Productivity is foundational to a country’s long-term economic growth and prosperity. When productivity is growing rapidly, it benefits businesses, workers and consumers alike. However, according to the Bank of Canada’s Senior Deputy Governor in March 2024, “Canada has seen no productivity growth in recent years,” and there are “clear areas for improvement” in the factors driving productivity.
To address this timely issue, this pilot funding opportunity targets research that supports and informs public policy aimed at boosting Canada’s productivity.
Applicants are invited to propose a long-term research program with high potential to inform policy-making in this area. A range of research topics directly related to policies driving efficiency gains for Canadian companies is welcome, including, for example, technology adoption, innovation and commercialization, firm investment decisions, workforce skills gaps, competitive intensity, the regulatory environment, supply chain management, scalability, monetary and fiscal policy, and managing through economic disruptions, among others.
Applicants must demonstrate how their proposed program of research would contribute substantially to development of actionable public policies that strengthen Canada’s productivity.
Value and duration
Policy Innovation Partnership Grants are valued at up to $400,000 per year over 15 years, up to a total of $6 million.
An impact review will be conducted every five years to assess the relevance of the partnership and determine whether funding will continue.
Salary research allowance
A salary research allowance can be requested for not-for-profit organizations involved in the partnership that have a co-director or co-applicant on the team, to release them from duties to their organization.
Eligibility
Subject matter
Proposals can involve any disciplines, approaches or subject areas eligible for SSHRC funding, but must be aligned with the theme of the target area described in this funding opportunity. See the guidelines on subject matter eligibility for more information.
Applicants
Applications must be submitted by an eligible Canadian postsecondary institution . The project director must be affiliated with the host institution (the applicant), and prepares the application on behalf of the host institution and the formal partnership.
Project directors who have received a SSHRC grant of any type but have failed to submit an achievement report by the deadline specified in their Notice of Award are not eligible to apply for another SSHRC grant until they have submitted the report.
Postdoctoral researchers and students enrolled in a program of study are not eligible to apply as project directors.
Institutions
Grant funds can be administered only by an eligible Canadian postsecondary institution. Institutions proposing to administer a grant awarded under this funding opportunity must hold or obtain institutional eligibility.
Institutions must contact institutional.eligibility@sshrc-crsh.gc.ca to begin the institutional eligibility application process, or if they have questions about institutional eligibility.
Co-directors and co-applicants
Individuals are eligible to be co-directors or co-applicants if they are formally affiliated with any of the following:
- Canadian: eligible postsecondary institution; not-for-profit organization; philanthropic foundation; think tank; or municipal, territorial or provincial government.
- International: postsecondary institution.
Postdoctoral researchers who are affiliated with a postsecondary institution are eligible to be co-directors or co-applicants. Students enrolled in a program of study are not eligible to be co-directors or co-applicants.
Collaborators
Any individual who makes a significant contribution to the research program is eligible to be a collaborator. Collaborators do not need to be affiliated with an eligible Canadian postsecondary institution.
Individuals from the private sector or federal government can participate only as collaborators.
Partner organizations
At least one partner organization must be a Canadian federal government department. Other partner organizations can be Canadian or international institutions or organizations (public, private, not-for-profit) of any type, including provincial or municipal government departments.
Multiple applications and holding multiple awards
An institution may submit multiple applications for this funding opportunity in the same competition, provided the proposals have different objectives and are led by different project directors. See SSHRC’s regulations regarding multiple applications and holding multiple awards for more information.
Monitoring
Grant holders will be expected to report on the use of grant funds, on funded activities undertaken during the grant period, and on outcomes.
They will also be required to undergo an impact review every five years. These reviews will focus on the partnership’s relevance and the extent to which knowledge generated by the funded project is being shared and used by federal government partners in policy-making. In addition, towards the end of the grant, grant holders will be expected to provide a sunsetting plan that details how the partnership will wind down its activities as the grant period comes to an end.
Successful applicants will be informed of reporting requirements after the grant is awarded.
Application process
Project directors must complete the application form in accordance with the accompanying application instructions. Applications must be submitted electronically by an authorized research grants officer from the applying institution.
Applicants needing help while preparing their application should communicate with SSHRC well in advance of the application deadline.
Requirements
Institutional and partner organization contributions
For the initial five-year grant period, applicants must include a plan to secure contributions from the host institution and partner organizations amounting to at least 50% of the budget requested from SSHRC. While contributions can be both cash and in-kind, at least 25% of the requested amount from SSHRC must be in cash. For example, if $2 million is requested from SSHRC for the first grant period, the plan must indicate that at least $500,000 in cash and $500,000 in in-kind contributions are being secured. As part of the impact reviews, the grant holder must demonstrate that this minimum requirement has been met.
Subsequent plans covering years six to 10 and 11 to 15 will be required as part of the impact reviews.
For more information, see SSHRC’s Guidelines for Cash and In-Kind Contributions.
Open access
In recognition of the specific objectives of this funding opportunity to produce findings that are valuable to and used by policy-makers, SSHRC requires that all peer-reviewed journal articles that result from this funding opportunity be immediately and freely available online to readers in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors, and the general public. This requirement is in advance of the renewal of the Tri-agency Open Access Policy on Publications, which will require immediate open access across all funding opportunities.
Merit review
Applications are reviewed, and available funds awarded, through a competitive merit review process. SSHRC bases funding decisions on the recommendations of the merit review committee and on the funds available. Committee discussions are guided by the principle of minimum essential funding.
Applications are reviewed by a multidisciplinary committee that includes relevant expertise from the postsecondary community, as well as research expertise from the public, private and/or not-for-profit sectors. The exact number and composition of merit review committees will be determined by the number and nature of proposals received. Participants in the review process, if not in a conflict of interest with the applicant or any team members, are asked to evaluate the proposal based on the evaluation criteria below.
Indigenous research
SSHRC’s Guidelines for the Merit Review of Indigenous Research are relevant for applying institutions preparing SSHRC applications related to Indigenous research. SSHRC provides these guidelines to merit reviewers to help build understanding of Indigenous research and research-related activities, and to assist committee members in interpreting SSHRC’s specific evaluation criteria in the context of Indigenous research. SSHRC relies on a community of merit reviewers with experience and expertise in Indigenous research to judge the extent to which the guidelines can be applied to a particular research proposal. The guidelines may also be of use to external assessors, postsecondary institutions and partner organizations that support Indigenous research.
Equity, diversity and inclusion
Applicants are encouraged to consider equity, diversity and inclusion in research practice and research design, as applicable. See the Guide to Addressing Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Considerations in Partnership Grant Applications for resources and examples .
Data management plan
This funding opportunity requires a data management plan (DMP). A DMP describes how applicants will manage the data associated with a research project, both during the project and after its completion.
The DMP section will not be part of the application’s scoring. However, applicants may continue to discuss key elements and principles of data management related to their proposed project in other relevant sections of the application that are scored. Researchers are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the research data management strategies and DMP resources available at their institutions.
The content, format and length of a DMP can vary depending on the specific nature of a project. The DMP should be considered a living document to be amended and added to over the life of the project. For more information on research data management and DMPs, see SSHRC’s Guide to preparing a data management plan, the Tri-Agency Research Data Management Policy, and the Tri-Agency Research Data Management Policy—Frequently Asked Questions.
Evaluation criteria and scoring
The following criteria and scoring scheme are used to evaluate the applications:
- Challenge—The aim and importance of the endeavour (40%):
- significance and expected contribution to knowledge;
- potential to inform and impact public policy;
- appropriateness of the theoretical approach and methodology;
- appropriateness of the literature review; and
- quality of training and mentoring to be provided to students, emerging scholars and other highly qualified personnel.
- Feasibility—The plan to achieve excellence (30%):
- probability that the objectives will be met;
- expertise of the team and appropriateness of partner organizations in relation to the proposed objectives;
- quality and appropriateness of governance arrangements and succession plans;
- quality and appropriateness of knowledge mobilization plans, particularly with respect to ensuring knowledge transfer to the public policy community; and
- appropriateness of the requested budget, justification of proposed costs, and evidence of leveraging other cash and/or in-kind contributions.
- Capability—The expertise to succeed* (30%):
- quality and significance of past experience and published and/or creative outputs;
- evidence of other knowledge mobilization activities, and impacts on public policy, professional practice and social services;
- evidence of past contributions to the training and mentoring of students, postdoctoral researchers and other highly qualified personnel; and
- past experience in formal partnerships and/or long-term research initiatives.
*Capability subcriteria apply to the project director, co-directors and co-applicants, relative to their roles within the partnership and their stage of career, as well as to the associated research entity where the partnership will be based.
Scoring table
Merit review committee members assign a score for each of the three criteria above, based on the following scoring table. The appropriate weighting is then applied to arrive at a final score. Applications must receive a score of 3.0 or higher for each of the three criteria to be recommended for funding.
| Score | Descriptor |
|---|---|
| 5-6 | Very good to excellent |
| 4-4.9 | Good to very good |
| 3-3.9 | Satisfactory to good |
| Below 3 | Unsatisfactory |
Communication of results
SSHRC makes competition results available to project directors (via the SSHRC Extranet for project directors) and institutions/organizations (via the Grants and Scholarships Administration Portal).
All project directors will be provided, in addition to SSHRC’s notice of decision, a summary of the merit review committee’s evaluation of their proposal, where applicable.
Regulations, policies and related information
SSHRC reserves the right to determine the eligibility of applications, based on the information included. SSHRC also reserves the right to interpret the regulations and policies governing its funding opportunities.
All applicants and grant holders must comply with the regulations set out in the Tri-agency Guide on Financial Administration. Applicants are advised to consult the Use of Grant Funds section of the Tri-agency Guide on Financial Administration to determine if an expenditure is an appropriate use of grant funds.
Canadian Research Data Centre Network
The Canadian Research Data Centre Network (CRDCN) is a national research infrastructure for quantitative social sciences and population health. The CRDCN provides unique access to Statistics Canada data to researchers at over 45 universities across the country. CRDCN also operates as a professional network for research and training, with the underlying goals of advancing knowledge, informing public policy, and supporting evidence-based decision-making.
The CRDCN is willing to work with the successful partnership in a number of ways, including identifying and working with relevant datasets, developing and implementing data management plans, and practicing open science in the context of restricted data. SSHRC will organize a meeting between the project director and the CRDCN within one month of award notification. As CRDCN may be working with the successful partnership, it will not be participating as a partner organization on applications to this funding opportunity.
If you are interested in exploring which data sets may be relevant to your proposal, or have questions about accessing the research data centres, see the CRDCN website or contact the CRDCN assistant director, Research and Evaluation, at grant.gibson@crdcn.ca.
Sensitive Technology Research Affiliations of Concern
On January 16, 2024, the Government of Canada published its Policy on Sensitive Technology Research and Affiliations of Concern (STRAC), which applies to this funding opportunity. Grant applications that involve conducting research and related activities that aim to advance a sensitive technology research area will not be funded if any of the researchers involved in activities supported by the grant are affiliated with, or in receipt of funding or in-kind support from, a university, research institute or laboratory connected to military, national defence or state security entities that could pose a risk to Canada's national security. Read the tri-agency guidance on the STRAC policy to understand how this may impact your application.
Specific rules for the use of grant funds
- Grant funds can be used to compensate project co-ordinator/manager positions, with three restrictions:
- they cannot be a participant on the grant;
- they cannot be paid for administrative services that the institution normally provides; and
- they cannot be paid to conduct research activities.
- Grant funds cannot be used to remunerate team members.* This includes postdoctoral fellows serving in any of these capacities.
- Grant funds cannot be used for course release time to allow an individual to engage in research activities.
- Grant funds can be used for consulting fees for expert and/or professional and technical services that contribute directly to the proposed research activities, as long as the service is not provided by a team member or an individual whose status would make them eligible to hold a SSHRC grant.
* Exception to the above rule: In some cases, Indigenous team members may be compensated. For more information, see the Tri-agency guideline on remuneration for Indigenous people participating in funded projects. In such cases, the team member may not be delegated to authorize grant expenditures and under no circumstances is the project director eligible to be compensated from grant funds.
Guidelines and related support material
All applicants for SSHRC funding should consult the following guidelines while preparing their application:
- SSHRC’s Definitions of Terms for terms used in the grant application process;
- the Guidelines for Effective Research Training, which can also be useful to reviewers and postsecondary institutions;
- SSHRC’s Indigenous Research Statement of Principles and Guidelines for the Merit Review of Indigenous Research for applications involving Indigenous research;
- SSHRC’s definition of knowledge mobilization and Guidelines for Effective Knowledge Mobilization for guidance on connecting with research users to create impact;
- SSHRC’s Guidelines for Support of Tools for Research and Related Activities for applicants requiring funding for research and research-related tools; and
- SSHRC’s Guide to preparing a data management plan, the Tri-Agency Research Data Management Policy and the Tri-Agency Research Data Management Policy—Frequently Asked Questions.
Contact information
For more information, contact:
Email: partnerships@sshrc-crsh.gc.ca
Toll-free: 1-855-275-2861