Social Sciences and HumanitiesResearch Council of Canada

Conseil de recherches ensciences humaines du Canada

April 27, 2010

Presentation to the 2010 Research Forum,Athabasca University

2

Outline:

Program Architecture Renewal

Research Priorities and

Joint InitiativesCFI and SSHRC

CFI and MCRI

2

3

SSHRC’s Program Architecture Renewal

• Over the past 30 years, SSHRC has created and funded a large and complex program portfolio resulting in approximately 30 separately branded competitions per year and a complex peer/merit review committee structure

• By renewing SSHRC’s program structure our purpose is to create opportunities to deliver:– greater overall program coherence

– a simpler interface between applicants and SSHRC

– improved service

4

Our Vision / Notre vision

To create a more flexible and effective system of application and assessment to support the most promising students, the best researchers, and the mobilization of social sciences and humanities research knowledge.

5

Proposed Structure for the Renewed Program Architecture

Three programs:

• Talent

• Insight

• Connection

Two funding streams:

• Individual researchers and research teams

• Formal partnerships

6

Research Development Initiatives

Strategic research development grants (several)

Standard Research Grants

Strategic research grants (several)

Research Development Grants

Research Grants

Community-University Research Alliance

Major Collaborative Research Initiatives

Strategic Knowledge Clusters

Knowledge Impact in Society

Partnership Grants

Partnership Development

Grants&

Public Outreach Dissemination Grants

Tools aspects of Standard Research Grants

Image, Text, Sound and Technology: Summer Institutes

Workshops and Conferences

Outreach and Tools

INSIG

HT

CURRENT PROGRAMS RENEWED PROGRAM ARCHITECTURECO

NN

ECTION

INSIG

HT &

CO

NN

ECTION

Aid to Scholarly Workshops & Conferences

International Opportunities Fund: Workshops & Conferences

Public Outreach Workshops & Conferences Grants

Fellowships and scholarships No changes at this time

TALENT

No changes at this timeAid to Scholarly Journals

7

Proposed Insight Program – Research Development Grants Support research in its initial stages. Help researchers to develop new research

questions and approaches. Assist new scholars in establishing a record of

research achievement at the outset of their careers.

Introduction of two separate funding envelopes – for new and established scholars.

Separate funding opportunity for workshops and conferences.

8

Proposed Insight Program – Research Grants

Support research as proposed by scholars; Provide opportunities for the training of future researchers; Contribute to the development or elaboration of new

theoretical or methodological approaches to research; Maintain and develop disciplinary and multidisciplinary

research activities, as well as expertise in a variety of thematic areas; and,

Promote the mobilization of research knowledge both within and beyond the academic community.

9

Connection Program: Objectives

• Facilitate the multidirectional flow of knowledge among researchers and between the campus and the larger community, in order to enhance intellectual, cultural, social and economic influence, benefit, and impact;

• Increase the accessibility of social sciences and humanities research knowledge;

• Build reciprocal relationships among researchers and between researchers and those in a position to either co-create or use research knowledge; and

• Support the development of networks and tools designed to facilitate scholarly work as well as to make it more accessible to various audiences.

10

Proposed Insight/Connection: Partnership Development Grants and Partnerships Grants

Support formal partnerships by teams and institutions

Encourage a broad variety of partnerships (inter-institutional, international, cross-sectoral)

Allow for a variety of approaches to partnering (disciplinary, interdisciplinary, co-creation of knowledge)

Provide an opportunity to leverage resources

11

Research Priorities at SSHRC

The majority of funded proposals do not fall with research areas defined as research priorities

Research themes have traditionally been approved by Council after suitable consultation or developed at the direction of the Government of Canada. Current research priorities are: Aboriginal research; Digital media; Environment; Northern research; Innovation, Leadership and Prosperity (per Federal Budget 2007 funding for Management, Business, and Funding)

A process to renew research themes will be undertaken within the next two years.

12

Joint Initiatives – Intended Outcomes:• Build and legitimize new and emerging research areas (e.g.

Global Climate Change)

• Develop capacity and research infrastructure via the creation of networks and centres (e.g. Oceans Management Research Network, Canadian Election Studies Initiative)

• Leverage of SSHRC research grants (e.g.. ICURA) and SSHRC operating funds (e.g. Tri-Council Knowledge Synthesis)

• Forge linkages and manage relationships between SSHRC, funders (particularly federal government partners), researchers and practitioners, the private sector and students (e.g. Auto Partnership Canada)

13

SSHRC and CFI

The Canada Foundation of Innovation (CFI) and SSHRC are working together:

MCRI and CFI Applicants for MCRIs may also be able to secure

infrastructure funding to support their research from the Canada Foundation for Innovation’s Leaders Opportunity Fund at the formal application stage

SSHRC/CFI joint initiative Currently under discussion Estimated $2.5 million for research plus funds for

infrastructure Date TBA

Social Sciences and HumanitiesResearch Council of Canada

Conseil de recherches ensciences humaines du Canada

Over to you…

Questions, commentaires?

Merci!