Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Before the emergence of COVID-19, a number of observers were raising the alarm over a different public health crisis, one characterized by reports of higher levels of social isolation and loneliness, as well as increased rates of mental illnesses and antisocial behaviours. Dubbed the “loneliness epidemic,” the crisis has been attributed to a number of recent features of modern life, such as urbanization and the rise of one-person households. Social media, video games and virtual communities have also come under scrutiny, as questions are asked on why the loneliness epidemic is occurring at a time when people are more connected than ever before by technologies.

SSHRC invites letters of interest from researchers wanting to participate in a virtual, interactive and interdisciplinary research design workshop taking place over two weeks at the end of October 2021 (October 18 to 29, 2021). Theme: Canada and the Circular Economy. Teams from the workshop who's ideas are identified as being meritorious will then be invited to apply for up to $250,000 to support the teams as they further advance their projects and establish multisectoral partnerships.

Connection Grants (amounts from $7,000 to $25,000) support workshops, colloquiums, conferences, forums, summer institutes or other events or outreach activities geared toward short-term, targeted knowledge mobilization initiatives. Applications may be submitted by institutions (e.g., university led events) or individual applicants and teams. This is a 2:1 matching fund opportunity (SSHRC:entity match).

The IDG funding enables the development of new research questions, as well as experimentation with new methods, theoretical approaches and/or ideas.  This is an excellent opportunity for new scholar(s) / researcher(s) to explore new research.  Also, this funding permits seasoned researcher(s) to develop/explore new avenues of research. Researchers may only apply for and hold, as applicant, only one IDG at a time.

Partnership Grants provide support for new and existing formal partnerships over 4 to 7 years to advance research, research training and/or knowledge mobilization.

Recognizes sustained leadership, dedication and originality of thought and have inspired students and colleagues alike. Institution submits nominations to SSHRC.

Recognizes individuals or teams whose SSHRC-funded project has engaged the campus and/or wider community, and has generated intellectual, cultural, social and/or economic impacts. Nominations submitted by the institution.

Recognizes individuals or teams whose project has resulted in significant contribution to knowledge and understanding about people, societies and the world. These are institutional and limited submission nominations.

Awards a formal partnership that, through mutual co-operation and shared intellectual leadership and resources, has demonstrated impact and influence within and/or beyond the social sciences and humanities research community. These are institutional and limited submission nominations.

Recognizes individuals who maintains academic excellence, has a talent for research and knowledge mobilization and has demonstrated clear potential to be a future leader within and/or outside the academic sector. The nomination process for this award is managed through the Dean of Graduate Studies Office.

Aid to Scholarly Journals grants support Canadian scholarly dissemination by offering a contribution to enable journals to explore innovative activities as well as to help them to defray the costs associated with publishing scholarly articles, digital publishing and journal distribution on Canadian not-for-profit platforms.

Partnership Development Grants (PDG) provide $75,000 to $200,000 over one to three years to formal partnerships, led by a project director. Partner organizations must provide evidence attesting to the commitment (e.g., cash and/or in-kind) that has been agreed upon.

SSHRC has announced the new Race, Gender and Diversity Initiative. This Initiative aims to support partnership research to inform actions to address disparities related to race, gender, and other forms of diversity. SSHRC will fund research into systemic barriers facing diverse groups, with grants valued at up to $450,000 over three years. Applications may be submitted by a team of researchers consisting of one applicant / project director affiliated with an eligible Canadian institution and participants such as co-directors, co-applicants and collaborators, as well as partner organizations, of which at least one is a Canadian postsecondary institution. Deadline to submit an application is November 15, 2021 by 5pm PST.