Preparing for Tomorrow: Societies and Strategies in Times of Transition Funding Program (Canada)

Deadline: 08-Jul-2026

The Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), in partnership with the Trans-Atlantic Platform (T-AP) for Social Sciences and Humanities, is accepting applications for the “Preparing for Tomorrow: Societies and Strategies in Times of Transition” funding opportunity. The program supports international and interdisciplinary research examining how societies prepare for, respond to, and adapt to uncertainty, crises, and large-scale transitions, with Canadian researchers eligible for up to CAD 250,000 in funding over two to three years.

Program Overview

The Preparing for Tomorrow: Societies and Strategies in Times of Transition initiative is an international research funding opportunity designed to strengthen understanding of how societies anticipate, manage, and respond to future challenges.

The program supports collaborative research that explores uncertainty, crisis preparedness, resilience, policy development, and societal adaptation in the face of major global transitions. Through international partnerships, the initiative seeks to generate evidence and insights that can inform decision-making, public policy, and future planning at local, national, and global levels.

The funding opportunity is administered through a collaboration between SSHRC and the Trans-Atlantic Platform (T-AP) for Social Sciences and Humanities.

Program Objectives

The initiative aims to:

• Advance knowledge about societal transitions and future challenges.
• Improve understanding of uncertainty and crisis preparedness.
• Strengthen resilience at community, national, and international levels.
• Support evidence-based policy development.
• Promote interdisciplinary and transnational research collaboration.
• Generate practical strategies for future crisis prevention and response.
• Encourage innovative approaches to understanding social change.
• Inform public policy and institutional preparedness.

Research Themes

Projects must align with one or more of the program’s core themes.

Uncertainty: Sources, Costs, Communication, and Improvement

Research may explore:

• Causes and drivers of uncertainty.
• Social and economic impacts of uncertainty.
• Risk communication and public understanding.
• Decision-making under uncertainty.
• Methods for improving societal preparedness.

The Many Faces of the Future and Crisis

Research may examine:

• Historical perspectives on crises.
• Cultural responses to uncertainty.
• Regional experiences of societal transitions.
• Comparative studies of crisis management.
• Future-oriented social and policy analysis.

Scope and Coordination of Response Strategies

Potential areas include:

• Crisis governance.
• Institutional coordination.
• Emergency response systems.
• International cooperation mechanisms.
• Community resilience and preparedness.

Prevention and Preparation for Future Crises

Research may focus on:

• Long-term prevention strategies.
• Ethical and normative considerations.
• Future planning frameworks.
• Risk reduction approaches.
• Sustainable preparedness models.

Key Research Areas

The program welcomes projects addressing major global transitions and emerging challenges, including:

• Climate change adaptation.
• Pandemic preparedness and response.
• Geopolitical instability.
• Economic disruption.
• Technological transformation.
• Artificial intelligence and societal change.
• Social resilience.
• Public policy innovation.
• Future governance models.
• Crisis management systems.

Why This Funding Matters

The world is experiencing rapid social, environmental, technological, and economic change. Governments, institutions, and communities increasingly face uncertainty that requires new approaches to preparedness and adaptation.

This funding opportunity supports research that can:

• Improve societal resilience.
• Strengthen crisis preparedness.
• Inform evidence-based policy decisions.
• Enhance international cooperation.
• Support sustainable development.
• Build knowledge for future generations.
• Address complex global challenges through collaborative research.

By investing in international research partnerships, the program helps generate solutions that can be applied across different regions and contexts.

Funding Information

For Canadian Researchers

SSHRC provides:

• Funding Amount: Up to CAD 250,000 per project.
• Project Duration: Two to three years.
• Funding Model: International collaborative funding through participating national agencies.

Each participating country’s funding agency supports researchers from its own jurisdiction while contributing to a single international research project.

International Collaboration Requirements

The program places strong emphasis on transnational collaboration.

Applications must include:

• At least three eligible co-principal investigators.
• Representation from at least three different participating countries.
• Participation from both sides of the Atlantic.
• One designated Lead Principal Investigator (Lead PI).
• A single proposal submitted on behalf of the consortium.

Researchers may participate in only one proposal as either:

• Lead Principal Investigator (Lead PI), or
• Co-Principal Investigator (Co-PI).

Who Is Eligible?

Eligible applicants generally include researchers affiliated with institutions that meet the requirements of their respective national funding organizations.

Project teams must:

• Form an international consortium.
• Include researchers from participating countries.
• Meet all national eligibility requirements.
• Demonstrate meaningful international collaboration.
• Address one or more program themes.

Researchers should consult their national funding agency guidelines for country-specific eligibility criteria.

Eligible Research Approaches

The program encourages a wide range of methodologies and disciplinary perspectives.

Eligible approaches include:

• Social sciences research.
• Humanities research.
• Interdisciplinary research.
• Comparative studies.
• Qualitative research.
• Quantitative research.
• Mixed-methods approaches.
• Historical analysis.
• Future-oriented research.
• Policy-focused studies.
• Applied and theoretical research.

The initiative welcomes both established and innovative research methodologies.

How the Program Works

The funding opportunity follows a structured international application process.

Step 1: Build an International Consortium

Researchers identify eligible partners from participating countries and establish a transnational research team.

Step 2: Develop a Research Proposal

The consortium prepares a project addressing one or more program themes and demonstrating international relevance.

Step 3: Submit the Notice of Intent

Applicants must submit a mandatory Notice of Intent (Letter of Intent).

Step 4: Prepare the Full Proposal

Eligible teams develop a complete research proposal, budget, methodology, and implementation plan.

Step 5: Submit National Requirements

Researchers must also comply with any country-specific application requirements established by their funding agencies.

Step 6: International Review Process

Proposals undergo evaluation based on scientific quality, collaboration strength, policy relevance, and expected impact.

Step 7: Funding Decision

Successful projects receive support from participating national funding organizations.

Important Deadlines

Notice of Intent (Letter of Intent)

• Deadline: July 8, 2026

Full Proposal Submission

• Deadline: October 28, 2026

Additional Requirement for Canadian Applicants

Canadian researchers must submit required administrative and budget information through SSHRC’s Convergence Portal by the full proposal deadline.

Evaluation Criteria

Applications are expected to be assessed based on:

• Research quality and originality.
• Relevance to program themes.
• Strength of international collaboration.
• Interdisciplinary value.
• Methodological rigor.
• Potential policy impact.
• Knowledge mobilization strategy.
• Feasibility and project management capacity.

Tips for a Strong Application

• Build a balanced and diverse international consortium.
• Clearly demonstrate transnational relevance.
• Address real-world policy challenges.
• Show how the research contributes to preparedness and resilience.
• Develop a robust methodology.
• Include meaningful interdisciplinary collaboration.
• Present a strong knowledge mobilization plan.
• Clearly define expected outcomes and impacts.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Forming partnerships with limited international integration.
• Submitting proposals that lack policy relevance.
• Failing to align with the call themes.
• Providing unclear governance or coordination plans.
• Neglecting national eligibility requirements.
• Underdeveloping dissemination and impact strategies.
• Missing mandatory deadlines.
• Overlooking administrative submission requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the Preparing for Tomorrow funding opportunity?

It is an international research funding initiative that supports collaborative social sciences and humanities research on uncertainty, resilience, crisis preparedness, and societal transitions.

Who administers the program?

The initiative is delivered through a partnership between SSHRC and the Trans-Atlantic Platform (T-AP) for Social Sciences and Humanities.

How much funding is available for Canadian researchers?

Canadian participants may receive up to CAD 250,000 per project for research lasting two to three years.

Is international collaboration required?

Yes. Applications must include at least three eligible co-principal investigators from three different participating countries, with representation from both sides of the Atlantic.

What topics can be researched?

Projects may focus on uncertainty, societal resilience, crisis preparedness, climate change, pandemics, technological transformation, public policy, and other future-oriented societal challenges.

Can researchers participate in multiple applications?

No. Researchers may participate in only one proposal as either a Lead Principal Investigator or Co-Principal Investigator.

What are the key deadlines?

The Notice of Intent deadline is July 8, 2026, and the full proposal deadline is October 28, 2026.

Conclusion

The Preparing for Tomorrow: Societies and Strategies in Times of Transition funding opportunity provides a significant platform for international social sciences and humanities research focused on understanding and responding to uncertainty, crises, and societal transformation. By supporting interdisciplinary collaboration across countries and continents, the initiative seeks to generate knowledge that strengthens resilience, informs policy, and equips societies to navigate future challenges more effectively. Researchers with innovative, policy-relevant, and internationally collaborative projects are encouraged to participate in this important global research effort.

For more information, visit Government of Canada.