Request for Proposals: Connection Grant Program (Canada)

Deadline: 04-Aug-2026

The Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council Connection Grants Program supports knowledge mobilization activities that encourage collaboration, engagement, and the sharing of research knowledge across academic and non-academic sectors.

The program is designed to:

• Promote knowledge exchange in the social sciences and humanities
• Support interdisciplinary and cross-sector collaboration
• Increase public engagement with research
• Encourage international research partnerships
• Strengthen connections between researchers, organizations, and communities

The funding opportunity also welcomes:

• Indigenous research initiatives
• Research-creation projects
• International knowledge-sharing activities

Program Focus Areas

The program supports:

• Disciplinary exchanges in social sciences and humanities
• Interdisciplinary collaboration with other research fields
• Partnerships between academic and non-academic sectors
• International research engagement
• Public knowledge mobilization initiatives

The grants encourage participation from:

• Researchers
• Policy-makers
• Practitioners
• Community organizations
• Not-for-profit organizations
• Public and private sector organizations
• Students and trainees

Types of Activities Supported

Connection Grants fund short-term events and outreach initiatives that promote knowledge sharing and engagement.

Eligible activities include:

• Conferences
• Workshops
• Colloquiums
• Forums
• Summer institutes
• Speaker series
• Public debates
• Documentaries
• Artistic exhibits
• Interactive technologies
• Audiovisual products
• Software and digital tools
• Educational resources
• Virtual networking initiatives
• Knowledge syntheses
• Policy briefs
• Media events

The program supports projects focused on mobilizing and sharing existing research rather than conducting new research.

Funding Amounts

Funding levels depend on the activity type.

Event Funding

Eligible events may receive:

• CAD 10,000 to CAD 25,000
• Funding duration of one year

Examples include:

• Conferences
• Workshops
• Academic forums
• Colloquiums

Outreach Activity Funding

Outreach activities may receive:

• CAD 10,000 to CAD 50,000
• Funding duration of one year

Examples include:

• Documentaries
• Knowledge dissemination tools
• Public engagement campaigns
• Educational and digital resources

SSHRC may consider requests above CAD 50,000 for outreach activities if:

• The applicant provides strong justification
• The full project can be completed within one year

A minimum funding request of CAD 10,000 is mandatory.

Cost-Sharing and Matching Contribution Requirements

SSHRC does not fund the entire project cost.

Applicants must secure:

• Eligible cash support
• Eligible in-kind contributions
• Or a combination of both

The additional support must equal at least:

• 50% of the amount requested from SSHRC

Supporting organizations must provide:

• Signed letters of support
• Confirmation of financial or in-kind contributions

Strong partnerships and external support are important components of successful applications.

Who Is Eligible?

Eligible applicants include:

• Canadian postsecondary institutions
• Eligible not-for-profit organizations
• Institutions authorized to administer SSHRC funding

Individual Applicant Eligibility

Individual applicants must:

• Be affiliated with an eligible Canadian postsecondary institution at the time of application

Postdoctoral researchers may apply if:

• They establish institutional affiliation within three months of the grant start date

Student Eligibility

Students are not eligible to apply as:

• Applicants
• Project directors
• Co-applicants

However, students may participate as:

• Collaborators
• Contributors
• Research participants

International and Indigenous Collaboration

Projects may take place:

• In Canada
• Internationally

Applicants must demonstrate the value of:

• Sharing Canadian research globally
• Building international collaboration
• Expanding knowledge exchange beyond Canada

The program also strongly encourages:

• Indigenous research partnerships
• Community-based collaboration
• Research-creation initiatives

Ineligible Activities

The Connection Grants Program does not support projects primarily focused on conducting research activities.

Ineligible activities include:

• Fieldwork
• Interviews
• Data collection
• Literature reviews
• Curriculum development
• Primary research projects

The focus of the program is knowledge mobilization, engagement, and dissemination rather than research production.

Why This Program Matters

The SSHRC Connection Grants Program helps strengthen the impact of social sciences and humanities research by connecting researchers with communities, organizations, and policy-makers.

The program supports:

• Public engagement with research
• Interdisciplinary collaboration
• Evidence-informed policy discussions
• Community partnerships
• International knowledge exchange
• Accessible dissemination of academic work

It also helps researchers expand the reach and societal impact of their work through innovative communication and outreach methods.

How to Prepare a Strong Application

Applicants should:

• Clearly explain the knowledge mobilization goals
• Demonstrate broad public or sector engagement
• Show strong partnerships and collaboration
• Include realistic budgets and timelines
• Provide detailed outreach or event plans
• Secure confirmed matching support early
• Explain the significance of the initiative to social sciences and humanities audiences

Successful applications often demonstrate:

• Strong interdisciplinary relevance
• Meaningful public impact
• Clear dissemination strategies
• Well-developed collaboration networks

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

• Proposing projects focused mainly on research activities
• Failing to secure matching contributions
• Submitting incomplete letters of support
• Providing vague knowledge mobilization plans
• Overlooking public engagement strategies
• Requesting unrealistic budgets

Applications that clearly emphasize engagement and collaboration are generally more competitive.

How to Apply

The application process generally involves:

• Developing a knowledge mobilization or outreach proposal
• Identifying project partners and collaborators
• Securing matching cash or in-kind contributions
• Preparing a detailed budget and timeline
• Collecting signed letters of support
• Demonstrating institutional eligibility
• Submitting the application through SSHRC’s funding system before the deadline

Applicants should ensure all supporting documentation is complete and aligned with SSHRC requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the SSHRC Connection Grants Program?

The program funds short-term knowledge mobilization initiatives that promote collaboration, public engagement, and research exchange in the social sciences and humanities.

What types of projects are eligible?

Eligible projects include:

• Conferences
• Workshops
• Forums
• Outreach activities
• Documentaries
• Public engagement initiatives
• Digital knowledge-sharing tools

How much funding is available?

Funding ranges include:

• CAD 10,000 to CAD 25,000 for events
• CAD 10,000 to CAD 50,000 for outreach activities

Is matching funding required?

Yes. Applicants must secure additional cash or in-kind support equal to at least 50% of the amount requested from SSHRC.

Can students apply?

No. Students cannot apply as applicants or co-applicants, but they may participate as collaborators.

Are international projects eligible?

Yes. International projects are eligible if applicants demonstrate the value of mobilizing Canadian research internationally.

Does the program fund research activities?

No. Activities focused primarily on conducting research, such as fieldwork or data collection, are not eligible.

Conclusion

The SSHRC Connection Grants Program provides important funding for short-term knowledge mobilization initiatives that strengthen collaboration, engagement, and public understanding of social sciences and humanities research. Through support for conferences, outreach activities, interdisciplinary partnerships, and international collaboration, the program helps expand the societal impact of Canadian research.

Organizations and researchers with strong partnership networks, public engagement strategies, and innovative dissemination plans are well-positioned to benefit from this funding opportunity.

For more information, visit Government of Canada.