Call for Applications: Connection Grant Program (Canada)

Deadline: 01-May-2026

The Connection Grant Program supports short-term initiatives that foster knowledge exchange and engagement in the social sciences and humanities. Grants fund events, outreach activities, and international collaborations designed to promote interdisciplinary dialogue, intersectoral partnerships, and public engagement. Funding ranges from $10,000 to $50,000, and eligible applicants are affiliated with Canadian postsecondary institutions or not-for-profit organizations.

Overview of the Connection Grant Program

The Connection Grant Program is designed to facilitate knowledge sharing between researchers and diverse audiences. It encourages disciplinary and interdisciplinary collaboration, connects academia with non-academic communities, and promotes international research exchanges.

Key Objectives:

• Support workshops, conferences, forums, summer institutes, documentaries, and other outreach initiatives

• Foster intersectoral collaboration between academic and non-academic partners

• Enable early-stage projects that may lead to longer-term research partnerships

• Promote Canadian research internationally

Who is Eligible?

Applicant Requirements

• Affiliation with an eligible Canadian postsecondary institution or

• Eligible not-for-profit organizations submitting institutional applications

• Individual applicants must have affiliation at the time of submission

• Postdoctoral researchers may apply if affiliation is established within 3 months of grant start

• Students are not eligible to apply but may serve as collaborators

Co-applicants and Collaborators

• Co-applicants may be from Canadian or international institutions

• Collaborators can include individuals from academic, private, government, or nonprofit sectors

• Only eligible Canadian institutions may administer grant funds

Why It Matters

The program enhances knowledge exchange by:

• Facilitating short-term events and outreach activities

• Promoting collaboration across disciplines and sectors

• Creating outputs such as reports, publications, or multimedia products

• Strengthening Canada’s presence in global research networks

• Engaging diverse audiences through public discussions, policy development, media, or artistic initiatives

Types of Activities Funded

1. Events

   • Workshops, conferences, forums, summer institutes

   • Short-term engagements, typically up to one week

   • May include preparation of reports, proceedings, or other outputs

2. Outreach Activities

   • Public engagement through knowledge dissemination, media, policy, arts, or digital tools

   • Can extend beyond Canada if there is a clear global relevance

   • Must produce concrete, timely outputs

Funding Details

How to Apply / How It Works

Step 1: Verify Eligibility

• Ensure institutional affiliation with a Canadian postsecondary or not-for-profit organization

• Confirm eligibility of co-applicants or collaborators

Step 2: Define Activity

• Identify type: event or outreach

• Specify disciplinary or interdisciplinary focus

• Plan for timely outputs such as publications, reports, or multimedia products

Step 3: Prepare Application

• Provide activity description, objectives, and methodology

• Include budget justification, detailing minimum and requested amounts

• List co-applicants and collaborators

Step 4: Submit Application

• Submit through the official Connection Grant portal

• Only one application per eligible institution per activity

Step 5: Award and Implementation

• Grants are reviewed for alignment with program objectives

• Successful applicants receive funds via eligible Canadian institutions

• Implement the project and produce concrete outputs

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Requesting less than $10,000

• Including ineligible students as primary applicants

• Submitting multiple applications for the same institution

• Failing to justify international relevance for global activities

• Omitting timely outputs or measurable impact

Tips for Success

• Clearly define short-term objectives and expected outputs

• Emphasize collaboration across disciplines and sectors

• Provide strong justification for budget requests, especially for higher amounts

• Highlight international relevance if applicable

• Include co-applicant and collaborator contributions

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Who can apply for a Connection Grant?
   Applicants must be affiliated with eligible Canadian postsecondary institutions or not-for-profit organizations.

2. Can students apply?
   No, students may only participate as collaborators.

3. What is the minimum funding request?
   All requests must be at least $10,000.

4. Are international collaborations eligible?
   Yes, if they clearly promote Canadian research globally.

5. What types of activities are funded?
   Workshops, conferences, forums, summer institutes, documentaries, outreach initiatives, and other knowledge exchange projects.

6. Can co-applicants be from outside Canada?
   Yes, co-applicants may be from Canadian or international institutions.

7. Who administers the grant funds?
   Only eligible Canadian institutions can administer the funding.

Conclusion

The Connection Grant Program provides targeted support for short-term, high-impact activities that strengthen collaboration, knowledge exchange, and public engagement in the social sciences and humanities. By funding events and outreach initiatives, the program builds networks, fosters interdisciplinary partnerships, and amplifies Canadian research on a global scale.

For more information, visit Government of Canada.