Deadline: 17-Nov-2025
The Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council is seeking applications for its Partnership Development Grant Program to strengthen research collaboration and knowledge creation in the social sciences and humanities.
The Partnership Development Grants provide one to three years of support for teams or partnerships, led by a project director, to advance research and related activities in the social sciences and humanities. The grants aim to foster new collaborations or test innovative partnership models that can be scaled regionally, nationally, or internationally.
Researchers are also encouraged to address one or more of SSHRC’s 16 global challenges, including digital economy, global health, social marginalization, gender diversity, environmental sustainability, governance, security, truth in a post-fact world, and the transformation of the arts and cultures.
Partnership Development Grants are valued between $75,000 and $200,000 for a duration of one to three years. The funding is intended for formal partnerships between Canadian postsecondary institutions and partner organizations from the public, private, or not-for-profit sectors.
The quality of training, mentoring, and employability plans for students and emerging scholars is a critical component of evaluation. Effective Research Training emphasize the meaningful participation of students and emerging scholars in proposed initiatives.
Applicants can represent either existing or new partnerships. Existing partnerships are supported to develop new research or partnership activities distinct from prior initiatives, while new partnerships are encouraged to design and implement innovative research collaborations.
Examples include disciplinary and interdisciplinary research partnerships, cross-sector co-creation of knowledge and understanding, research networks, and partnered knowledge mobilization.
Eligibility extends to teams comprising an applicant or project director and co-directors, co-applicants, or collaborators. The lead applicant must be affiliated with an eligible Canadian institution.
Postdoctoral researchers and PhD candidates may apply under specific conditions related to institutional affiliation. Partner organizations can be Canadian or international institutions or organizations from any sector, while collaborators can include individuals from academia, the private sector, or government.
Applications are evaluated through a competitive merit review process that emphasizes three main criteria: Challenge, Feasibility and Capability. These criteria assess the originality and significance of the research, the quality of the partnership and governance structure, the expertise of the team, and the potential for knowledge mobilization and impact.
Applicants must demonstrate the quality and commitment of their partnerships through relevant documentation, including governance frameworks, agreements, or strategic plans. While there is no minimum contribution requirement, institutions and partner organizations are expected to support the partnership through cash or in-kind contributions.
The deadline for applications is 17 November 2025.
For more information, visit Government of Canada.
