Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada Report on Annual Expenditures for Travel, Hospitality and Conferences for 2014-15

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As required by the Treasury Board Directive on Travel, Hospitality, Conference and Event Expenditures, this report provides information on the total annual expenditures for travel, hospitality and conferences by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2015. It also provides the variance explanations for the previous fiscal year in each of these areas.

This information is updated annually and does not contain information withheld under the Access to Information Act or the Privacy Act.

SSHRC’s purpose is to promote and assist research and scholarship in the social sciences and humanities. Social sciences and humanities research builds knowledge about people in the past and present, with a view toward creating a better future.

By focusing on developing Talent, generating Insights and forging Connections across campuses and communities, SSHRC strategically supports world-leading initiatives that enhance our understanding of modern social, cultural, technological, environmental, economic and wellness issues. Further information on SSHRC’s mandate and program activities can be found in SSHRC’s 2014-15 Report on Plans and Priorities.

SSHRC’s program delivery is centered on a merit review model. External experts from across the country and around the world contribute their time and expertise to adjudicate grant proposals and scholarship and fellowship applications, with the aim of funding excellence for the benefit of Canada. The vast majority of SSHRC’s travel and hospitality expenses are to support this merit review process.

SSHRC’s total annual expenditures for travel, hospitality and conferences are summarized below:

Expenditure category	Expenditures for the year ending March 31, 2015 (a)	Expenditures for the year ending March 31, 2014 (b)	Variance (a-b)
	(in thousands of dollars)
Travel–Public servants	207	259	-52
Travel–Non-public servants	476	491	-15
International travel by minister and minister’s staff*		0	0
Total travel	683	750	-67
Hospitality	78	90	-12
Conference fees	55	40	15
TOTAL	816	880	-64

* Includes international travel that is part of a department’s program.

Compared with fiscal year 2013-14, SSHRC’s travel and hospitality expenditures have decreased, mainly as a result of:

• reduced travel expenditures due to less travel in outreach activities and the Digging into Data program and improved efficiency in the Insight Development Grants (IDG) adjudication process.
• reduced hospitality expenditures due to increase in sponsorship received combined with a reduction in the number of participants in the SSHRC Leaders, less activities in the Digging into Data program, as well as, improved efficiency in the Partnerships Development Grants adjudication process. 

Compared with fiscal year 2013-14, SSHRC’s conference expenditures have increased, mainly as a result of:

• increase in training, in the international and public outreach program and the creation of the Future Challenge program activities.