Deadline: 01-Apr-2026
The SSHRC Impact Awards recognize and fund outstanding research in the social sciences and humanities in Canada. With awards ranging from $50,000 to $100,000, the program celebrates research excellence, societal impact, mentorship, collaboration, and knowledge mobilization, supporting both emerging and established scholars across diverse fields.
About the SSHRC Impact Awards
The Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) awards honor contributions that advance understanding in the social sciences and humanities while enriching Canada’s intellectual, cultural, social, and economic life. The awards highlight:
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Research excellence and originality
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Societal and community impact
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Knowledge mobilization and outreach
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Leadership and mentorship
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Collaboration across sectors
These awards reinforce a research-based knowledge culture in Canada and internationally, promoting impactful scholarship that drives innovation, public engagement, and evidence-informed policy.
Award Categories and Objectives
1. Gold Medal
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SSHRC’s highest research honor.
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Recognizes sustained leadership, originality, and significant contributions to knowledge.
2. Talent Award
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For emerging researchers holding SSHRC-funded doctoral or postdoctoral awards.
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Highlights strong potential for future leadership in research.
3. Insight Award
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Celebrates impactful outcomes from one or more SSHRC-funded initiatives led by an individual or small team.
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Emphasizes research impact on society, policy, and the academic community.
4. Partnership Award
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Recognizes collaborative research partnerships with demonstrable societal impact.
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Supports the development of the next generation of scholars.
5. Jury Prize (Optional)
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Awarded to nominations demonstrating exceptional excellence in research, research-creation, communication, or knowledge mobilization.
Funding Details
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Funding Range: $50,000 – $100,000 per award.
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Use of Funds: Promote and further develop the recognized research, with a minimum portion dedicated to knowledge mobilization.
Eligibility Criteria
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Nominees must meet SSHRC-specific requirements:
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Citizenship or residency in Canada
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Relevant SSHRC funding history
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Affiliation with an eligible Canadian institution
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Must be nominated by an institution; self-nominations are not permitted
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Nomination and Application Process
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Institutional Nomination: Eligible institutions submit nominations on behalf of researchers.
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Promotion Strategy: Institutions must provide a plan to celebrate and share the impact of the recognized research.
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Evaluation: A multidisciplinary jury of experts from academia, public, private, and not-for-profit sectors reviews nominations based on category-specific criteria.
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Award Reporting: Recipients are required to meet SSHRC reporting obligations, reflecting research impact and knowledge mobilization activities.
Key Considerations for Institutions
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Emphasize the societal, cultural, and economic impact of the research.
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Highlight the researcher’s leadership, mentorship, and collaboration.
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Include a promotion and dissemination plan demonstrating public engagement and knowledge mobilization.
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Ensure alignment with inclusive and diverse research assessment principles, in line with the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA).
FAQs
1. What is the funding range for SSHRC Impact Awards? $50,000 – $100,000 per award.
2. Who can be nominated? Researchers affiliated with eligible Canadian institutions with SSHRC funding history and Canadian citizenship or residency.
3. Can individuals self-nominate? No, nominations must be submitted by eligible institutions.
4. What types of contributions are recognized? Research excellence, societal impact, mentorship, leadership, collaboration, and knowledge mobilization.
5. What is the Gold Medal? SSHRC’s highest honor recognizing sustained leadership and significant contributions to knowledge.
6. Are collaborative projects eligible? Yes, the Partnership Award specifically recognizes impactful collaborative research.
7. What is required in the promotion strategy? Institutions must outline how the research impact will be celebrated and shared publicly.
Conclusion
The SSHRC Impact Awards celebrate and fund outstanding research in the social sciences and humanities, supporting both emerging and established scholars. By recognizing research excellence, leadership, societal impact, and knowledge mobilization, these awards strengthen Canada’s research ecosystem and promote a culture of impactful, inclusive, and collaborative scholarship across the nation
For more information, visit SSHRC.