Deadline: 03-Dec-2026
The Knowledge Synthesis Grants program supports research syntheses that examine emerging security and conflict challenges and provide evidence to inform policy, practice, and future research. The initiative focuses on mobilizing and synthesizing existing knowledge to strengthen evidence-based decision-making and identify research gaps related to evolving security issues.
The program encourages researchers to analyze existing evidence on security and conflict trends, helping governments, organizations, and communities better understand emerging risks and opportunities in a rapidly changing global environment.
About the Program
The Knowledge Synthesis Grants support projects that synthesize existing research rather than conduct new primary research.
The program focuses on:
- Security and conflict research
- Knowledge synthesis
- Evidence-informed policymaking
- Research mobilization
- Research gap analysis
- Knowledge translation
- Future research agenda development
- Policy and practice recommendations
- Research accessibility
- Cross-disciplinary collaboration
Projects should provide a comprehensive assessment of available knowledge and identify areas requiring further investigation.
Priority Research Areas
Proposals may address a wide range of security and conflict-related topics, including:
- Hybrid warfare
- Cybersecurity
- Information warfare
- Disinformation and misinformation
- Climate-related security challenges
- Arctic security
- Northern security
- Sovereignty and territorial issues
- Community resilience
- National preparedness
- Humanitarian response
- Peacebuilding initiatives
- Supply chain security
- Food security
- Water security
- Health security
- Research security
- Data security
- Whole-of-society resilience approaches
The program also welcomes:
- Indigenous-led research approaches
- Inuit Nunangat-based perspectives
- Research-creation methodologies
Program Objectives
The grants aim to:
- Synthesize existing research knowledge
- Strengthen evidence-based decision-making
- Identify knowledge strengths and limitations
- Assess available research and data resources
- Highlight research gaps
- Inform public policy and practice
- Support future research priorities
- Improve access to research findings
Projects should generate actionable insights for policymakers, practitioners, and researchers.
Funding Streams
Stream 1: Canadian Research Teams
Stream 1 supports researchers and research teams affiliated with eligible Canadian institutions.
Funding available:
- Minimum grant: $10,000
- Maximum grant: $40,000
- Grant duration: 1 year
SSHRC may fund up to:
- 16 projects under Stream 1
Stream 2: International Collaborative Teams
Stream 2 supports international collaboration between Canadian and Nordic researchers.
Funding available:
- Minimum grant: $10,000
- Maximum grant: $78,000
- Grant duration: 1 year
Projects must involve eligible international partnerships and collaborative knowledge synthesis activities.
Eligible Applicants
Stream 1
Eligible applicants include:
- Individual researchers
- Research teams
- Faculty members affiliated with eligible Canadian postsecondary institutions
- Researchers affiliated with eligible Indigenous not-for-profit organizations
- Postdoctoral researchers with eligible institutional affiliations maintained throughout the grant period
Stream 2
Eligible teams must include:
- One Principal Investigator based in Canada
- One Principal Investigator based in a Nordic country
- One Co-Applicant from a different Nordic country
International collaboration is a mandatory requirement for this stream.
Ineligible Applicants
The following are not eligible:
- Students enrolled in a program of study
- Projects primarily focused on curriculum development
- Proposals centered on conducting original research rather than synthesizing existing knowledge
The program is specifically designed for knowledge synthesis activities.
Eligible Activities
Funding may support:
- Literature reviews
- Evidence synthesis
- Comparative analyses
- Knowledge mobilization activities
- Conference presentations
- Outreach initiatives
- Stakeholder engagement activities
- Preparation of reports and policy briefs
- Research dissemination activities
Projects should focus on analyzing and synthesizing existing knowledge sources.
Required Outputs
Successful grant recipients must produce:
- A knowledge synthesis report
- An evidence brief
- Openly accessible final report deposited in a repository
- Participation in designated virtual knowledge mobilization activities
Recipients must also:
- Identify potential knowledge users
- Participate in engagement activities
- Report on project outcomes and funded activities
These outputs are intended to maximize the impact and accessibility of research findings.
Evaluation Criteria
Applications are assessed through a competitive merit review process.
Review criteria include:
- Significance of the proposed synthesis
- Contribution to knowledge and policy discussions
- Feasibility of the methodology
- Quality of the work plan
- Knowledge mobilization strategy
- Budget appropriateness
- Expertise of the applicant or research team
- Potential impact of project outcomes
Projects should clearly demonstrate relevance, rigor, and practical value.
Why This Program Matters
Security and conflict challenges are becoming increasingly complex, involving issues such as cyber threats, climate impacts, information warfare, supply chain disruptions, and societal resilience. Policymakers and practitioners need reliable evidence to respond effectively to these emerging challenges.
The Knowledge Synthesis Grants help bridge the gap between research and decision-making by consolidating existing knowledge, identifying critical evidence gaps, and providing actionable insights that can guide future policies, programs, and research investments.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of the Knowledge Synthesis Grants?
- The program supports research syntheses that examine emerging security and conflict issues and inform policy, practice, and future research.
Does the program fund original research?
- No. Projects must focus on synthesizing existing research knowledge rather than conducting new primary research.
How much funding is available?
- Stream 1 offers grants from $10,000 to $40,000, while Stream 2 offers grants from $10,000 to $78,000.
How long do projects last?
- All grants are funded for one year.
Who can apply to Stream 1?
- Researchers and research teams affiliated with eligible Canadian postsecondary institutions or Indigenous not-for-profit organizations.
What are the requirements for Stream 2?
- Teams must include a Canadian Principal Investigator, a Nordic Principal Investigator, and a Co-Applicant from another Nordic country.
What deliverables are required?
- Grant holders must submit a synthesis report, evidence brief, openly accessible final report, and participate in knowledge mobilization activities.
Conclusion
The Knowledge Synthesis Grants provide funding of up to $78,000 to support research teams examining the changing nature of security and conflict. By synthesizing existing evidence on issues such as cybersecurity, climate security, information warfare, resilience, and peacebuilding, the program helps strengthen evidence-informed policymaking, identify research gaps, and contribute to future research and policy development.
For more information, visit Government of Canada.