Applications open for Partnership Engage Grant Program (Canada)

Deadline: 15-Sep-2026

The Partnership Engage Grants Program supports short-term collaborative research projects between Canadian postsecondary institutions and a single public, private, or not-for-profit sector organization. The programme encourages co-created research, knowledge mobilization, innovation, and partnerships that address real-world organizational and societal challenges.

Eligible projects can receive between CAD 10,000 and CAD 50,000 for activities lasting up to one year, helping researchers and partner organizations generate and apply knowledge with practical impact.

Overview of the Partnership Engage Grants Program

The Partnership Engage Grants Program supports collaborative research activities involving:

• Canadian postsecondary institutions
• Public sector organizations
• Private sector organizations
• Not-for-profit organizations

The programme promotes partnerships that combine academic expertise with practical experience to address specific needs within a limited timeframe.

The initiative supports research that creates meaningful intellectual, social, economic, and cultural benefits.

Purpose of the Grant Programme

The programme aims to:

• Encourage collaboration across sectors
• Support innovative research activities
• Build research capacity
• Promote knowledge sharing
• Increase the impact of Canadian research
• Connect research with real-world applications

The programme focuses on projects where organizations identify a challenge or opportunity and work with researchers to develop solutions.

Key Focus Areas

Co-Creation of Knowledge

Projects may involve:

• Joint research activities
• Collaborative problem-solving
• Development of new knowledge
• Shared learning between researchers and organizations

Research and Training Activities

Funding may support:

• Research projects
• Training activities
• Research skills development
• Partnership-based learning

Knowledge Mobilization

The programme encourages:

• Sharing research findings
• Creating accessible resources
• Applying research results in practice
• Translating knowledge into action

Social Sciences and Humanities Research

Projects may support research related to:

• Social issues
• Cultural topics
• Economic challenges
• Community development
• Public policy

Institutional Capacity Building

Partnerships can strengthen:

• Organizational knowledge
• Research capacity
• Collaboration systems
• Long-term partnerships

Funding Details

The Partnership Engage Grants provide:

• Minimum funding: CAD 10,000
• Maximum funding: CAD 50,000
• Project duration: Up to 12 months

Projects should be focused, practical, and achievable within the grant period.

Additional Salary Research Allowance

A salary research allowance may be requested for a co-applicant from a Canadian not-for-profit organization.

This support allows the individual to:

• Reduce regular work responsibilities
• Participate in research activities
• Contribute effectively to the partnership

Who Can Apply?

Eligible applicants include:

• Individual researchers
• Research teams
• Academic researchers affiliated with eligible Canadian institutions

Applicants must:

• Be affiliated with a Canadian postsecondary institution
• Be connected to an institution eligible to receive agency funding
• Maintain eligibility throughout the grant period

Researcher Eligibility Requirements

Applicants and academic co-applicants must:

• Have completed all requirements of their academic programme
• Hold a formal affiliation with an eligible Canadian postsecondary institution

Postdoctoral Researchers

Postdoctoral researchers may apply if they:

• Have a formal affiliation with an eligible institution
• Maintain that affiliation during the grant period

Students

Students cannot apply as:

• Applicants
• Co-applicants

Eligible Team Members

Research teams may include:

• Applicants
• Co-applicants
• Collaborators

Different rules apply depending on the participant’s role.

Partner Organization Requirements

Each project must include:

• One partner organization
• From the public, private, or not-for-profit sector

The partner organization must:

• Be independent from the applicant’s institution
• Maintain an arm’s-length relationship
• Have a clear role in the partnership

Eligible Partner Organizations

Partners may include:

• Public sector organizations
• Private companies
• Non-profit organizations

Organizations Not Eligible as Partners

The following cannot serve as partner organizations:

• Postsecondary institutions
• Scholarly associations

Role of Co-Applicants

Co-applicants may come from:

• Canadian postsecondary institutions
• Not-for-profit organizations
• Philanthropic foundations
• Think tanks
• Municipal governments
• Provincial governments
• Territorial governments
• International postsecondary institutions

Role of Collaborators

Collaborators may come from:

• Any sector
• Any organization type

They do not need to be affiliated with a Canadian eligible institution.

Private sector and federal government representatives may participate only as collaborators.

How the Grant Works

Step 1: Identify a Partnership Opportunity

Applicants and partners should identify:

• A specific organizational challenge
• A research question
• A practical objective

Step 2: Build a Research Partnership

The project team should define:

• Roles and responsibilities
• Research activities
• Expected outcomes
• Knowledge-sharing methods

Step 3: Develop the Project Plan

The proposal should include:

• Research goals
• Timeline
• Budget
• Partnership approach
• Expected impact

Step 4: Conduct Research Activities

Activities may include:

• Data collection
• Analysis
• Workshops
• Training
• Knowledge exchange

Step 5: Share and Apply Results

Projects should support:

• Practical application of findings
• Knowledge dissemination
• Long-term impact

Eligible Uses of Funding

Grant funds may support:

• Research activities
• Partnership activities
• Knowledge mobilization tools
• Project-related expenses
• Research collaboration activities

Funding may also support development of partnership-related tools when allowed under programme rules.

Ineligible Uses of Funding

Funds cannot be used to:

• Pay eligible grant holders as team members
• Provide course release time
• Pay salaries or stipends to individuals eligible for SSHRC funding
• Support activities outside programme guidelines

Expected Outcomes

The programme aims to create:

Stronger Research Partnerships

• Better collaboration between sectors
• Increased knowledge exchange
• Sustainable partnerships

Practical Research Impact

• Solutions to organizational challenges
• Applied research outcomes
• Improved decision-making

Increased Research Visibility

• Greater recognition of Canadian research
• Wider use of research findings

Social and Economic Benefits

• Innovation
• Community impact
• Institutional improvement

Why This Programme Matters

Research partnerships help connect academic knowledge with real-world needs.

By supporting collaboration between researchers and organizations, the programme helps:

• Solve practical problems
• Improve policies and practices
• Strengthen communities
• Increase the value of research

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

• Choosing partners without a clear role
• Proposing projects that are too broad
• Ignoring practical outcomes
• Confusing collaborators and co-applicants
• Including ineligible budget expenses

Tips for a Strong Application

Applicants should:

• Clearly define the organizational need
• Show strong partnership commitment
• Explain expected impact
• Create a realistic timeline
• Demonstrate knowledge mobilization plans
• Ensure all team members meet eligibility requirements

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the Partnership Engage Grants Program?

It is a funding programme supporting short-term collaborative research projects between Canadian researchers and external organizations.

How much funding is available?

Projects can receive between CAD 10,000 and CAD 50,000.

How long can projects last?

Projects can run for up to one year.

Who can apply?

Researchers affiliated with eligible Canadian postsecondary institutions can apply.

Can international researchers apply as applicants?

No. Applicants must be affiliated with eligible Canadian postsecondary institutions.

Can private companies participate?

Yes. Private sector organizations can participate as partner organizations or collaborators, depending on their role.

Can students apply?

No. Students cannot apply as applicants or co-applicants.

Conclusion

The Partnership Engage Grants Program strengthens collaboration between Canadian researchers and external organizations by supporting practical, short-term research partnerships.

Through co-created knowledge, innovation, and applied research, the programme helps transform research into solutions that benefit organizations, communities, and society.

For more information, visit Government of Canada.