Sponsor
Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC)
For More Information
Please visit the SSHRC IDG website for:
- Program guidelines
- Application forms
- Eligibility criteria
- Evaluation criteria
See 'Special Notes' section for SSHRC Insight Development Grant webinars on November 27, 2025.
Description
Insight Development Grants are expected to respond to the objectives of the Insight research program.
Insight Development Grants support research in its initial stages. The grants enable the development of new research questions, as well as experimentation with new methods, theoretical approaches and/or ideas. Funding is provided for short-term research development projects of up to two years that are proposed by individuals or teams.
Insight Development Grants foster research in its early stages but are not intended to support large-scale initiatives. Long-term support for research is offered through SSHRC’s Insight Grants.
Proposed projects can involve, but are not limited to, the following types of research activities:
- Case studies
- Pilot initiatives
- Critical analyses of existing research
Projects can also involve national and international research collaboration, and the exploration of new ways of producing, structuring and mobilizing knowledge within and across disciplines and sectors.
Funding is available for two distinct categories of scholars:
- Emerging scholars who will develop new research questions and/or approaches. Such projects can build on and further the applicant’s (or team’s) graduate work and/or represent a continuation of their overall research trajectory.
- Established scholars who will explore new research questions and/or approaches that are distinct from the applicant’s previous/ongoing research. Research projects should be clearly delimited and in the early stages of the research process. Insight Development Grant funding is not intended to support ongoing research for established scholars.
SSHRC welcomes applications involving Indigenous research, as well as those involving research-creation.
Maximum Project Value
Insight Development Grants are valued at $10,000 to $100,000 over one to two years. A minimum budget of $10,000 is required in at least one of the years.
For the current competition, at least 50% of funds will be reserved for applications from emerging scholars.
Indirect Costs
There are no indirect costs on the funding provided directly by SSHRC. The external partner(s) funds are subject to the applicable indirect cost rate as specified in the Full Cost of Research Policy.
Project Duration
Up to 2 years
Special Notes
Upcoming Webinars (Link to SSHRC IDG webinars main information page)
Insight Development Grant (French) - Registration and webinar link
- Thursday, November 27, 2025
- 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Insight Development Grant (English) - Registration and webinar link
- Thursday, November 27, 2025
- 1 to 3 p.m.
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 Governing Grant Applications and 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 whether an expenditure is an appropriate use of grant funds.
Grant holders must also comply with the Tri-Agency Open Access Policy on Publications (see the Open Access overview for more information) and the Tri-Agency Research Data Management Policy, which, as of April 1, 2021, replaced SSHRC’s Research Data Archiving policy for all active grants.
All applicants and grant holders must also comply with the Policy on Sensitive Technology Research and Affiliations of Concern.
Specific Rules for the Use of Grant Funds
-
Grant funds cannot be used to remunerate team members regardless of an individual’s eligibility to apply for grants.* This includes postdoctoral fellows serving in any capacity as a member of the team.
- *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 applicant / project director eligible to be compensated from grant funds.
- Grant funds cannot be used for remuneration and/or the travel and subsistence costs of presenters or guest speakers.
- 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 being provided by a team member or an individual whose status would make them eligible to hold a SSHRC grant.
- Grant funds can be used for the travel and subsistence costs of collaborators related to research planning, the exchange of information with the grantee, and the dissemination of research results. However, grant funds cannot be used for collaborators’ research costs to conduct research or research-related activities.
Deadlines
If College-level review is required, your College will communicate its earlier internal deadlines.
| Type | Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Internal Deadline | Applicant postdoctoral researcher (if applying through University of Guelph) to submit a copy of application along with a complete OR-5 form to research.services@uoguelph.ca. Postdoctoral researcher (if applicant) must submit a complete OR-5 form signed by the supervisor, Chair and ADR. Applicant must hit 'submit' on the on-line SSHRC portal on or before the internal deadline. | |
External Deadline | Applicants must complete the application form in accordance with accompanying instructions. Applications will be submitted electronically to SSHRC by the Research Services Office. For more information on the Insight Development Grant application forms and process, please read the Research Portal FAQs and Canadian Common CV instructions. Eligible postdoctoral researchers may submit their applications directly to SSHRC. |
Information For Co-applicants
If you need to meet a deadline set by the lead institution for this opportunity, please ensure that you provide the Office of Research with at least five days notice in advance of the lead institution’s deadline to review the application, or your proposed component of the project. Please be in touch with the Office of Research (contact information below) ahead of the deadline if it looks like it will be difficult for you to submit all the required documentation on time (i.e. budget, proposal, OR-5 Form).