SSHRC Knowledge Synthesis Grant Competition 2025: The Arts Transformed

Sponsor

Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC)

For More Information

Please visit the SSHRC Knowledge Synthesis Grant website.

Description

This Knowledge Synthesis Grants competition is to mobilize, examine and synthesize social sciences and humanities research on The Arts Transformed. The resulting syntheses will identify roles the academic, public, private and not-for-profit sectors could play in promoting more inclusive and equitable societies, and could inform development of effective tools and technologies, robust policies and sustainable practices needed to support the path toward a diverse and inclusive future for all.

The Arts Transformed is one of the 16 global future challenges identified through SSHRC’s Imagining Canada’s Future initiative. These complex issues, identified in 2018 following an extensive foresight exercise, reflect key challenges Canada and the world are likely to face over the coming decades. All the challenges cross multiple sectors, jurisdictions and research disciplines, and require broad collaboration to address. This Knowledge Synthesis Grants funding opportunity is informed and shaped by cross-sectoral and diverse perspectives, including from subject matter experts, policy leaders and community leaders.  

From an underwater public sculpture park to a multisensory, immersive live performance using body sensors and virtual reality, the arts world is blooming with new artworks that use cutting-edge technologies and explore novel venues for artistic expression. In parallel, the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns, as well as mounting sustainability concerns, have accelerated adoption of new digital tools and practices. This includes using online platforms to manage art collections, and integrating virtual, augmented and mixed reality technologies with applications ranging from museum exhibits to the fashion industry. The arts are now more readily accessible to anyone with internet access, although further effort is needed to support equitable distribution of benefits from these innovations, particularly in the Global South.

Digital platforms, such as YouTube, Spotify and TikTok, offer both established and emerging artists new avenues for producing, distributing and monetizing their work, as well as new opportunities to engage and expand their audiences. They can give visibility and voice to new, previously excluded creatives. While new forms of artistic expression continue to evolve, digital technology has not displaced the predominant models of production and distribution in the cultural sector. Platform algorithms can also increase competition among artists and reinforce existing inequities by undermining unconventional art forms/artistic expression in favour of mainstream content, leading to increasingly homogenous art. Francophone and Indigenous content in Canada are likely to be disproportionately impacted by this issue.  

As generative artificial intelligence (AI) systems continue to evolve at an exponential rate, complex legal, ethical and philosophical questions have surfaced as to how we define art and the role of the human artist in the creative process. In response to the multiplication of artwork generated by AI systems, future art lovers may seek out more authentic, human-made artworks for their intrinsic artistic value. The proliferation of deepfakes has also brought to light the shortcomings in existing legislative and regulatory frameworks designed to protect artists and copyright holders. Future reforms to copyright laws present an opportunity to remove barriers preventing adequate protection of Indigenous data sovereignty and copyright protection on Indigenous art, culture and knowledge. In addition, studies have revealed deep flaws in generative AI models and their algorithms, leading to racial and gender biases that exacerbate disparities in the real world, disproportionately impacting the representation of Black individuals and Black history and culture in image and text. To combat these issues, concerted efforts will be needed by the AI industry and cross-sectoral stakeholders impacted by its systems, with support from artists and activists. Against the backdrop of the climate crisis, it is also imperative to consider the environmental impact of new technologies, and repercussions for future generations.

The issues mentioned above, as well as shifts in private and public funding, add to the precarity in the arts and culture sector. Slow adoption of digital technology in many arts organizations; low data literacy rates; declining attendance at live venues, museums and galleries; and declining philanthropic investment pose existential threats to the sector. Rising inflation in recent years has been detrimental to a creative industry already hard hit by the pandemic. The current housing crisis in Canada and the process of gentrification, extending beyond residential areas to local venues and art spaces, add to these challenges. The loss of affordable arts spaces has a ripple effect on cities and communities, which can no longer benefit from the cultural and economic advantages the arts provide. The impact of these crises will be particularly felt by marginalized communities that possess fewer resources. Even so, these challenges create an opportunity to rethink policies as well as funding criteria and funding streams in the arts and culture sector, with a view to broadening their scope to include cultural spaces and art activities not reflected in the current narrative.

Despite the vulnerability of the creative sector, it is important to acknowledge the role the arts can play in a world facing a looming “polycrisis” precipitated by a convergence of complex crises, such as climate change, fragile health-care systems, political polarization, rising inequalities and more. Greater engagement in creative activities can help mitigate these crises by strengthening social cohesion, promoting positive health outcomes, reinvigorating local economies, and reducing challenges associated with an aging population.

Finally, complex societal challenges also offer a unique opportunity to reconsider the impact of arts education in equipping students with a set of valuable and transferable skills, including creative thinking, problem solving, persistence and resilience. In the workplace, training based on artistic methods, which frequently involves grappling with the unknown, can be a valuable tool for preparing for an uncertain and unpredictable future. Beyond this, the arts are powerful and can serve to educate and further sensitize the general public to pressing issues, such as racial injustice and global warming, through creative media that have been used to provoke deep reflection and engagement for millennia.

Knowledge Synthesis Grants

Knowledge Synthesis Grants support researchers in producing knowledge synthesis reports and evidence briefs that:

• support the use of evidence in decision making and the application of best practices; and,
• assist in developing future research agendas.

Applicants must address the following three objectives in their proposals:

1. State of Knowledge, Strengths and Gaps
   • Critically assess the state of knowledge of the future challenge theme under consideration from a variety of sources, as appropriate;
   • Identify knowledge strengths and gaps within the theme;
   • Acknowledge Indigenous knowledge systems and research methodologies when appropriate; and,
   • Identify the most promising policies and practices related to the theme.
2. Research Data
   • Assess the quality, accuracy and rigour (i.e., methodological approaches) of current work in the field; and,
   • Identify strengths and gaps in the quantitative and qualitative data available.
3. Knowledge Mobilization
   • Engage cross-sectoral stakeholders (academic, public, private and not-for-profit sectors) and/or First Nations, Inuit and Métis rights holders throughout the project to mobilize knowledge related to promising policies and practices; and,
   • Use effective knowledge mobilization methods to facilitate the sharing of research findings with cross-sectoral stakeholders and Indigenous rights holders.

This Knowledge Synthesis Grants funding opportunity is guided by the following questions:

1. Drawing on domestic, international and/or cross-sectoral evidence, what can researchers tell us about these issues?
2. How might the findings guide public policy, practice and research agendas for Canada and the world in the immediate and long term?

SSHRC welcomes applications involving Indigenous research, as well as those involving research-creation.

Expected Outcomes

Knowledge syntheses are comprehensive analyses of literature and other forms of knowledge on a particular question or issue. All types of knowledge synthesis approaches, tools and protocols, such as scoping reviews, systematic reviews and narrative syntheses, are encouraged under this funding opportunity. Synthesized results can include qualitative, quantitative or multimethod research.

Knowledge Synthesis Grants are not intended to support original research. Rather, they are intended to support the synthesis of existing research knowledge and identify knowledge gaps. This call is particularly focused on the state of research produced over the past 10 years.

In support of these objectives, Knowledge Synthesis Grants will help identify roles that the academic, public, private and not-for-profit sectors, including Indigenous rights holders, can play in developing and implementing robust policies, best practices and tools.

Eligibility

Review eligibility criteria related to subject matter, applicants and institutions. 

Funding Availability

A maximum of 28 grants of up to $30,000 each may be awarded.

Maximum Project Value

Up to $30,000 for one year

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.

Special Notes

Knowledge mobilization activities (i.e., conference presentations and outreach activities) can take place throughout the year. All synthesis reports and evidence briefs must be completed before the virtual forum.

By applying for this funding opportunity, successful applicants consent to SSHRC sharing the resulting synthesis reports and evidence briefs with other interested organizations and individuals. This does not in any way limit how researchers may otherwise publish or use the results of their research.

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 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 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, has replaced SSHRC’s Research Data Archiving Policy for all active grants.

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 are 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 cannot be used to remunerate team members (applicants, co-directors, co-applicants or collaborators) regardless of an individual’s eligibility to apply for grants*. This includes postdoctoral fellows serving in any of these capacities.

  *Exception to the above rule: In some cases, Indigenous team members (i.e., co-directors, co-applicants, collaborators) 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 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 to purchase a suitable headset, with an integrated boom microphone or an approved table-top microphone, for participation in knowledge mobilization activities. See the Guidelines to ensure the quality of interpretation in virtual and hybrid meetings for more information.

How to Apply

Applicants must complete the application form in accordance with the accompanying instructions. 

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 Research Services Office 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 Research Services Office (research.services@uoguelph.ca) 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).