Program Architecture Renewal: Update on New Funding Opportunities

SSHRC wishes to thank all those who participated in its recent consultation and engagement activities regarding the renewal of its program architecture to create a more flexible and effective system of application and assessment. Your feedback was very helpful in framing our proposal for endorsement by SSHRC’s governing council.

At its most recent meeting on June 18, 2010, the governing council agreed that the overall structure and design of the renewed program architecture is coherent and aligns with SSHRC’s priorities. The council further endorsed the continued implementation of the renewed architecture.

As noted in the Briefing on SSHRC’s Renewed Program Architecture, SSHRC’s program offerings will now move from some thirty separately branded competitions per year, to three "umbrella" programs, Talent, Insight and Connection.

Overview of SSHRC’s Renewed Program Architecture
Results of Feedback
New Funding Opportunities
Proposed Timeline for Implementation
Transition from Current to New Funding Opportunities

Overview of SSHRC’s Renewed Program Architecture

Results of Feedback

In light of the feedback received on its renewed program architecture, SSHRC recognizes that a number of issues warrant further clarification. These include consideration of the balance of funding available to individuals and small teams—to which the majority of funds are currently allocated—as compared to the funding available to formal partnerships. Much interest was also expressed in the relative balance between open and thematically targeted funding, as well as in the relative balance between funding allocations to small- and large-scale research projects.

SSHRC would like to assure researchers and their partners that the purpose of the program architecture renewal is to bundle existing competitions and associated funding envelopes, while funding a consistent level of excellence across competitions.

In addition, the feedback pointed to areas requiring further analysis and revision. Some changes have already been made, and will be reflected in the upcoming calls for proposals. Areas requiring further analysis include:

• Committee structure for the Insight program: The Insight Grants funding opportunity will be reviewed, and a new structure announced in spring 2011.
• Assessment criteria: The weighting of “capability” will be adjusted to between 30 and 40 per cent for all funding opportunities.
• Level of mandatory contributions in Partnership Grants for Insight and Connection programs: This will be reduced to 35 per cent in cash and/or in-kind contributions over and above the total amount of funding requested from SSHRC, as an indicator of institutional and/or partner commitment. Detailed guidelines will be provided.
• Proposed maximum grant sizes: For some funding opportunities (notably Insight Development Grants and Partnership Development Grants), these sizes will be decreased.
• Deadlines for applications: These will be adjusted to better meet the needs of applicants and institutions.

SSHRC will continue to engage with the research community and partners as various aspects of the program architecture are refined. Outcomes will be communicated in the coming weeks, months and years, as the new program architecture is implemented. 

New Funding Opportunities

SSHRC’s renewed architecture will be implemented over a three-year period. In July 2010, SSHRC will launch its Insight and Connection programs, with calls for proposals for Partnership Development Grants and Partnership Grants. The application deadline for Partnership Development Grants will be in November 2010. The deadline for Partnership Grants will be in January 2011. These will be followed by Insight Development Grants later in the summer of 2010, featuring a special envelope for new scholars, and with deadlines planned for 2011. The following diagrams illustrate the proposed timeline, as well as the transition from current to new funding opportunities.

Proposed Timeline for Implementation

Transition from Current to New Funding Opportunities

SSHRC looks forward to continuing to work together with the research community and partners throughout the implementation of SSHRC’s new program architecture.

Sincerely,