Backgrounder

Talent Program, Nelson Mandela 2016 honours and Canadian Research Data Centre Network agreement renewal


Talent Program

The Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) Talent program supports students and postdoctoral researchers in order to develop Canada’s next generation of researchers and leaders, within academia and across the public, private and not-for-profit sectors.

Each year, SSHRC funds close to 2,400 social sciences and humanities students and postdoctoral researchers for a total investment of about $107 million dollars.

Included in the Talent program are the Canada Graduate Scholarships (CGS):

CGS Master’s Program
The aim of the Canada Graduate Scholarships—Master’s Program is to help develop research skills and assist in the training of highly qualified personnel by supporting students who demonstrate a high standard of achievement in undergraduate and early graduate studies.

CGS to Honour Nelson Mandela
The Canada Graduate Scholarships to Honour Nelson Mandela are intended to honour Mandela’s legacy and his pursuit of peace, democracy and freedom through learning. They recognize scholars conducting research in one or more of five areas championed by the former president of South Africa: national unity; democracy, freedom and human rights; leadership; children’s participation in society; and children’s health. It is administered by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and SSHRC.

CGS Doctoral Scholarships and SSHRC Doctoral Fellowships
The Joseph-Armand Bombardier Canada Graduate Scholarships Program Doctoral Scholarships and the SSHRC Doctoral Fellowships aim to develop research skills and assist in the training of highly qualified personnel by supporting students who demonstrate a high standard of scholarly achievement in undergraduate and graduate studies in the social sciences and humanities.

SSHRC Postdoctoral Fellowships
SSHRC Postdoctoral Fellowships support the most promising Canadian new scholars in the social sciences and humanities, and assist them in establishing a research base at an important time in their research careers.


Canadian Research Data Centre Network agreement renewal

Since 2000, the Canadian Research Data Centre Network (CRDCN), in partnership with Statistics Canada, has been providing access to secure computer laboratories on university campuses across Canada. Research Data Centres are university-based laboratories staffed by a Statistics Canada analyst. They offer researchers secure access to detailed microdata from Statistics Canada surveys, Canadian census data, and an increasing number of administrative data sets.

The partnership between SSHRC, CIHR and CRDCN has been active since 2005. The 2016 renewed agreement amount is $7.25 million for CIHR and $7.25 million for SSHRC, for a total of $14.5 million over the next five years.


Latest statistics on the master’s, doctoral and postdoctoral competitions


Joseph-Armand Bombardier Canada Graduate Scholarships Program—Master’s Scholarships provide support for individuals undertaking master’s degrees at Canadian universities.

  • 2,695 eligible applications received
  • 1,285 new scholarships awarded


Joseph-Armand Bombardier Canada Graduate Scholarships Program—Doctoral Scholarships provide support for individuals undertaking doctoral studies at Canadian universities.

  • 1,982 eligible applications received
  • 430 new scholarships awarded

66%

34%
students in their first year of doctoral studies
students in their second year of doctoral studies


SSHRC Doctoral Fellowships provide support for individuals undertaking doctoral studies at Canadian or foreign universities.

  • 1,982 eligible applications received
  • 475 new fellowships awarded


SSHRC Postdoctoral Fellowships provide support for individuals undertaking full-time research following the successful completion of their doctoral studies.

  • 841 eligible applications received
  • 156 new fellowships awarded


Latest statistics on the Canadian Research Data Centre Network


  • The Research Data Centre (RDC) at McMaster University in Hamilton was the first to open its doors in December 2000.
  • Today, university, government and other approved researchers now have access to 27 Research Data Centres and branches located on as many university campuses across the country.