Funding Opportunities
Knowledge Synthesis Grants on the Digital Economy
A SSHRC Presidential Fund Initiative
Context
Objectives
Scope
Value and Duration
Eligibility
Adjudication
Application Process
Administrative Regulations
More Information
Context
Canada’s ability to succeed in the digital economy will be a key determinant of its success as a society in the 21st century. The digital triangle of technologies, content and literacies is now framing almost every activity in the private, public and not-for-profit sectors, and in society at large. The ability to connect virtually using digital technologies, to access relevant information and knowledge, and to use digital content effectively and appropriately, increasingly enables businesses, governments and institutions to innovate, boost their productivity and reach across Canada and around the world. In the emerging digital age, we are changing our approach to learning, to the nature of work, and to the ways in which services are delivered, citizens interact, access and share knowledge, and cultural goods are produced and exchanged.
The Government of Canada is holding a broad consultation to help develop a national digital economy strategy, as indicated in the Speech from the Throne. The consultation is based on a consultation paper,
Improving Canada’s Digital Advantage: Strategies for Sustainable Prosperity, that has been released jointly by the Minister of Industry, the Minister of Heritage and the Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada.
From the public and private sectors to non-governmental organizations, academia and volunteer organizations, to students, consumers and citizens—we all have a vested interest in a dynamic and flourishing digital economy. A strong digital economy will be the backbone of Canada’s future prosperity and success. Consequently, we all have a role to play in shaping the future of this key part of our economy and our lives.
The social sciences and humanities have a wealth of knowledge and expertise to bring to bear on our understanding of all the critical dimensions of the digital world, be they economic, social or cultural. From literature to philosophy, from sociology to political science, from communications to design, from law to management and education, Canadian researchers are leading global networks in collaboration with colleagues across campuses and partners in the private and public sectors, to build knowledge and influence policy and practice in business and organizations. These researchers also train the highly qualified people who will supply our knowledge industries and perform at the interface of social sciences, humanities and technologies, giving Canada the edge in this new era. They are essential to our understanding of the profound changes taking place now and into the future, and to developing the approaches and policies that Canada needs to prosper, to compete globally, and to sustain an innovative and creative society.
In this context, SSHRC is launching a funding opportunity to enable the synthesis of knowledge and to help identify research opportunities in key areas related to the digital economy. This initiative is not intended to provide direct input into the national consultation on the digital economy, which ends on July 9, 2010. The knowledge and insights resulting from this initiative aim to advance discussions and knowledge exchange into the future.
Objectives
The specific objectives of this funding opportunity are:
- to describe the state of knowledge about the digital economy in key areas across Canadian society, including the private, public and not-for-profit sectors, by producing syntheses of research insights, evidence, interpretations and effective practices; and
- to identify knowledge gaps in areas that are critical for Canada, and that could contribute to a forward-looking Canadian research and research mobilization agenda for the digital economy.
Scope
In keeping with the consultation paper, Improving Canada’s Digital Advantage: Strategies for Sustainable Prosperity, the key areas covered by this funding opportunity are:
- capacity to innovate using digital technologies;
- building a world-class digital infrastructure;
- growing the information and communications technology industry;
- creating Canada’s digital content advantage; and
- building digital skills for tomorrow.
Applications will propose a synthesis of the state of knowledge and possible knowledge gaps in areas related to one or more of the challenges and discussion questions identified in the consultation paper.
Value and Duration
Grants are worth up to $25,000 over four and a half months. Up to 10 grants will be awarded.
All projects must be completed within four and a half months of the date of the award notice.
Eligibility
Applicants
SSHRC invites applications from social sciences and humanities researchers and postdoctoral fellows who are affiliated with Canadian postsecondary educational institutions. Individuals or teams may apply. Applicants may collaborate with partners across the public, private and not-for-profit sectors. Researchers and postdoctoral fellows in research fields other than the social sciences and humanities, also, may apply as co-applicants on projects that have, as principal applicants, researchers in the social sciences and humanities.
Institutions
Institutions that propose to administer grants awarded under this initiative must meet the requirements for managing SSHRC funds and must hold or obtain institutional eligibility.
Adjudication
A special adjudication committee composed of experts from campuses and beyond will assess all applications using the following criteria:
Challenge:
- expected contribution to the objectives and scope of the funding opportunity;
- significance of the chosen area(s) for synthesis, based on the issues identified in the consultation paper; and
- likelihood of influence and impact in informing policy and practice in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors, and in identifying research gaps that might be addressed in a forward-looking research agenda in the chosen area(s).
Feasibility:
- ability to meet the objectives and scope of the funding opportunity;
- appropriateness of the methodology or approach and of the work plan, including the timelines for the design and conduct of the activity; and
- appropriateness of the requested budget.
Capability:
- qualifications of the applicant and the team for carrying out the proposed project (includes expertise in the content area to be covered by the synthesis, expertise in synthesis methods, expertise in information retrieval, etc.).
Application Process
The application must include the following:
- a letter addressed to the president of SSHRC (maximum four pages) containing:
- a description of the research synthesis project including the significance, expected contribution and impact of the proposed synthesis, contextualized in the current literature and accounting for previous work done in the area(s);
- an outline of the relevant expertise and experience of the applicant or team;
- a work plan, including timelines, and a description of the proposed methodology and approach; and
- the applicant’s signature.
- an itemized budget, including justification of all proposed expenditures (maximum two pages);
- the SSHRC web-based CV for each applicant and co-applicant; and
- a separate page containing an authorized signature from the applicant’s institution certifying that the institution will administer any award in accordance with SSHRC policies.
All application materials must be submitted in hard copy and must be received by July 2, 2010.
Deliver complete applications by regular mail, by courier or by hand to the address below. Applications submitted in whole or in part by any other means (such as fax or email) will not be considered.
Office of the President
Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council
P.O. Box 1610
Ottawa, Ontario
K1P 6G4
Administrative Regulations
All applicants and grant holders must comply with the
Regulations
Governing Grant Applications
and with the regulations set out in the
Tri-Agency Financial Administration Guide.
Successful applicants will be required to share the results of their research with SSHRC. The Council will use this information to develop its policies and practices. It may also use the information to develop its contribution to the Government of Canada’s consultation on the digital economy. This does not in any way limit how researchers may otherwise publish or use the results of their research.
More Information
For more information about this funding opportunity, and for advice on how to prepare your application, please contact:
Tim Russwurm
Chief of Staff, Office of the President
Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council
Tel.: 613-992-0502
Fax: 613-995-5498
Email: tim.russwurm@sshrc-crsh.gc.ca
Sylvie Paquette
Manager, Policy, Planning and International Affairs
Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council
Tel.: 613-992-3146
Fax: 613-943-1153
Email: sylvie.paquette@sshrc-crsh.gc.ca