Deadline: 2-February-2026
The Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council has announced its Insight Development Grant Program to support research in its initial stages, enabling the development of new research questions and experimentation with new methods, theoretical approaches and ideas.
It encourages projects such as case studies, pilot initiatives, and critical analyses, as well as collaborations at national and international levels. The grant also promotes innovative ways of creating and sharing knowledge across disciplines and sectors, welcomes Indigenous and research-creation projects, and partners with organizations from various sectors to strengthen research, training, and knowledge exchange in the social sciences and humanities.
Insight Development Grants are valued at $10,000 to $100,000 over one to two years, with a minimum budget of $10,000 required in at least one of the years. Applications can be submitted by individual researchers or teams affiliated with eligible Canadian institutions.
Grant funds cannot be used to remunerate team members, including postdoctoral fellows, or cover the costs of presenters or course release time. However, they can be used for consulting fees, travel costs of collaborators related to research planning, and dissemination activities. Exceptions may apply for Indigenous team members under specific guidelines.
The grants are available for both emerging and established scholars, with emerging scholars expected to develop new research questions and approaches that may build on their graduate work, while established scholars must propose new and distinct research directions.
Postdoctoral fellows and eligible PhD candidates may apply if they establish and maintain a formal affiliation with an eligible Canadian postsecondary institution within three months of the grant start date.
Students enrolled in a program of study are not eligible unless they meet the specified PhD requirements. Federal scientists affiliated with a Canadian postsecondary institution must ensure their proposed research is not related to their employer’s mandate or duties. Only eligible Canadian postsecondary institutions can administer the grant funds.
Co-applicants may be affiliated with Canadian or international postsecondary institutions, while collaborators can include any individual making a significant contribution to the project, regardless of institutional affiliation.
Applicants may apply for only one Insight Development Grant at a time and generally cannot apply for an Insight Grant and Insight Development Grant in the same year, except under specified conditions.
Applications must be completed electronically and submitted by an authorized research grants officer. Applicants must complete the Canadian Common CV and may select the most appropriate review committee for their proposal, with SSHRC reserving the right to determine final committee placement.
Applications are evaluated based on three main criteria: Challenge, which assesses the aim, originality, significance, and expected contribution of the project; Feasibility, which evaluates the plan, budget, and knowledge mobilization; and Capability, which considers the applicant’s expertise, past experience, and contributions to research training.
For more information, visit Government of Canada.