Sponsor

Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC)

Program

Partnership Development Grants

For More Information

For additional information, please visit the program's website [1] for

• Program guidelines
• Application forms
• Evaluation criteria

Description

The SSHRC Partnership Development Grants program supports the development of new research partnerships and the advancement of existing ones in the social sciences and humanities. These grants are designed to foster innovative collaborations between postsecondary institutions and a wide range of partner organizations, including community groups, non-profits, and the private sector. The goal is to support projects that address complex societal challenges, promote knowledge mobilization, and enhance the impact of research beyond academia.

Grants provide funding for activities such as research planning, pilot projects, and the development of new partnership models. The program emphasizes student training and engagement, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the co-creation of knowledge. It is ideal for teams looking to build or strengthen strategic partnerships that can lead to longer-term research initiatives or larger-scale funding opportunities.

Eligibility

Eligibility for SSHRC Partnership Development Grants is open to institutions and researchers affiliated with eligible Canadian postsecondary institutions, working in formal partnership with other academic or non-academic organizations. Full eligibility details and application guidelines can be found on the SSHRC Partnership Development Grants webpage [1].

Maximum Project Value

$75,000 to $200,000

Institutional and partner organization contributions: Applicants are expected to include a plan to seek and secure cash and/or in-kind contributions [2] for their initiative during the life of the grant. While there is no minimum contribution requirement, institutions and their partner organizations are expected to demonstrate that a formal partnership currently exists, or is in the process of being developed, by supporting the activities of the formal partnership through cash and/or in-kind support.

For more information, see SSHRC’s Guidelines for Cash and In-Kind Contributions [2].

Indirect Costs

There are no indirect costs on the funding provided directly by SSHRC. Partner(s) cash contributions are subject to the applicable indirect cost rate as specified in the Full Cost of Research Policy [3]. 

Project Duration

1 to 3 years. 

Special Notes

Quality and commitment of formal partnerships: Applicants should include relevant documentation to allow informed evaluation of the quality and level of commitment of the proposed formal partnerships [4].

Applicants must include evidence of formal partnership in their application. Evidence can include, but is not limited to:

• governance frameworks;
• agreements (intellectual property, conflict resolution, etc.);
• strategic plans; and
• other relevant documentation.

Guidelines and related support material: All applicants for SSHRC funding should consult the following guidelines while preparing their application:

• SSHRC’s Definitions of Terms [5] for terms used in the grant application process;
• the Guidelines for Effective Research Training [6], which can also be useful to reviewers and postsecondary institutions;
• SSHRC’s Indigenous Research Statement of Principles [7] and Guidelines for the Merit Review of Indigenous Research [8] for applications involving Indigenous research [9];
• SSHRC’s definition of knowledge mobilization [10] and Guidelines for Effective Knowledge Mobilization [11] for guidance on connecting with research users to create impact;
• SSHRC’s Guidelines for Support of Tools for Research and Related Activities [12], for clarification on how applicants can include up to $7,000 of funding for research and research-related tools in any SSHRC grant application; and
• SSHRC’s Resource Centre [13] for information on preparing applications.

How to Apply

Applicants must complete the application form [16] in accordance with accompanying application instructions [17]. Applications must be submitted electronically by the Research Services Office on behalf of the applicant.

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 (RSO) with at least five days in advance of the lead institution’s deadline to review the application, or your proposed component of the project. Please be in touch with RSO (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).