Sustainable Agriculture Research Initiative

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• Context
• Description
• Matching funds
• Multiple applications and holding multiple awards
• Application process
• Evaluation and merit review
• Contact information

Context

The Sustainable Agriculture Research Initiative (SARI) is a joint effort between the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) in partnership with the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) and in collaboration with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), to fund research leading to a sustainable, resilient and profitable agriculture sector in a net-zero economy. SARI was supported by Budget 2022, which included a commitment for immediate action toward climate mitigation, in support of the 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan: Canada’s Next Steps for Clean Air and a Strong Economy to support farmers as partners in building a clean, prosperous future.

The Sustainable Agriculture Research Initiative Connection Grants (SARI-CG) aim to build on the momentum of the $87.5 million investment made in 2024 to support 16 research partnership projects funded through SARI, as well as the $1.9 million investment in the Common Ground Canada Network following the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Network on Sustainable Agriculture in a Net-Zero Economy funding opportunity.

Description

The SARI-CG are intended to support events and outreach activities geared toward short-term, targeted knowledge mobilization initiatives, bringing together those working to advance sustainable agricultural sectors and food systems to support a just transition to net-zero in Canada, regardless of whether they have previously been involved in SARI grants or the Network grant.

The grants provide up to $50,000 over one year for both events and outreach activities, with the option of a one-year extension with no additional funding. A minimum request of $10,000 is required. Approximately 32 projects are expected to be funded. Higher amounts than $50,000 may be considered, but applicants must justify the higher amount, and provide evidence that the entire project can be managed within the one-year time frame.

Activities can include workshops, colloquiums, conferences, forums, summer institutes and documentaries, as well as other events or outreach activities that can help to transform Canada’s economy for a sustainable future. The activities will also facilitate the following, aimed specifically at sustainable agriculture and food systems issues:

• intersectoral exchanges of research between academia and partners from the public, private and/or not-for-profit sectors in Canada and abroad;
• convene and transfer research knowledge to users currently working in the field, such as farmers, livestock producers and agricultural experts;
• increased accessibility and use of research knowledge within and beyond the postsecondary sector; and
• high-quality training experiences for students and/or postdoctoral researchers.

Activities should serve as a bridge between academic research, government and the broader agricultural and food sectors. Exchanges should be interdisciplinary and integrate the social sciences and humanities, natural sciences and engineering, as well as other research fields. Efforts should be made to meet the sectors where they congregate—for example, agricultural exhibitions and fairs, demonstration farms, farm shows, etc.—toensure knowledge exchange extends beyond academic settings.

Matching funds

Applicants must demonstrate their ability to secure the minimum matching funds for this initiative. Additional support in the form of eligible cash and/or in-kind contributions (excluding registration fees) equivalent to a minimum of 25% of the amount requested from SSHRC must come from sponsoring organizations.

Multiple applications and holding multiple awards

An applicant or project director for this joint initiative is eligible to apply to SSHRC’s Connection Grants during the same calendar year, provided the proposed projects have different objectives and there is no duplication of funding. See SSHRC’s regulations on multiple applications and holding multiple awards for more information.

Application process

Applicants must complete the Connection Grants application form and follow the accompanying instructions.

Those applying to the SARI-CG must also:

• select the “Sustainable Agriculture Research Initiative Connection Grants” option from the “Joint or special initiative” field within the Identification module;
• include “Sustainable Agriculture” in the Keywords section within the Activity Details module;
• detail the potential benefits and/or outcomes of the proposed event or outreach activity as they relate to the objectives for this joint initiative within the Expected outcomes module; and
• demonstrate how the proposed event or outreach activity will support the joint initiative’s objectives within the Description of Project module.

In their application, SARI-CG applicants must follow the Connection Grants instructions, with the exception that SARI-CG applications should indicate a different matching funds amount—a minimum of 25% of the amount requested from SSHRC. In addition, to request funds above $25,000 for an event, applicants must select the “Outreach Activity” option in the “Project type” field within the Identification module. They must include event details in the relevant sections of their proposal.

As indicated in the Connection Grants funding opportunity description, the earliest any proposed SARI-CG project can start is October 1, 2026.

Evaluation and merit review

Applications will be reviewed and available funds awarded based on the recommendations of the multidisciplinary merit review committee established by SSHRC in collaboration with NSERC and AAFC. The adjudication committee will be interdisciplinary and intersectoral, with members from both the academic and non-academic sectors. Committee discussions will be guided by the principle of minimum essential funding. SARI-CG applications are subject to the Connection Grants evaluation criteria and scoring. In addition, for proposals submitted under this initiative, the merit review committee will consider the degree to which applications respond to the objectives described above.

Connection Grants webinars will address information and questions on this joint initiative. Register and join at the links below.

Contact information

• Email: partnerships@sshrc-crsh.gc.ca
• Toll-free: 1-855-275-2861