Departmental Performance Report 2014–15

Name of transfer payment program: Grants and Scholarships (voted)

Start date: 1978

End date: Ongoing

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2011-12

Strategic outcome: 1—Canada is a world leader in social sciences and humanities research and research training

Link to department’s Program Alignment Architecture:

Program 1.1 Talent: attraction, retention and development of students and researchers in the social sciences and humanities
Program 1.2 Insight: new knowledge in the social sciences and humanities
Program 1.3 Connection: mobilization of social sciences and humanities knowledge

Description: This transfer payment program consists of grants and scholarships awarded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) for research, talent development and research dissemination activities in the social sciences and humanities. This transfer payment program does not have any repayable contributions.

Results achieved:

Program 1.1 Talent: attraction, retention and development of students and researchers in the social sciences and humanities

Talent funding constituted 47 per cent of SSHRC’s grant expenditures in 2014–15 under Strategic Outcome 1. The scholarships, fellowships and chairs offered under the Talent program are key to attracting, retaining and developing students and researchers in the social sciences and humanities.

The 2011–12 SSHRC Scholarships and Fellowships Survey revealed that the majority of former recipients perceived the opportunities offered by the award as the most important influence on their research and career path. The survey assessed the career progression of a cohort of SSHRC Canada Graduate Scholarships master’s scholars and SSHRC doctoral and postdoctoral fellowship recipients, to compare trends in employment. The survey included Canada Graduate Scholarships master’s scholars who received their award in 2004, SSHRC doctoral recipients from 2000 to 2002, and SSHRC postdoctoral recipients from 2002 to 2004. The majority of doctoral and postdoctoral fellowship recipients were employed at the time of the survey. The rate of employment for the Canada Graduate Scholarships master’s recipients was 47 per cent; however, almost 45 per cent of the Canada Graduate Scholarships master’s recipients were not employed because they were pursuing doctoral or postdoctoral studies. Nearly 92 per cent of postdoctoral fellowship recipients and about 85 per cent of doctoral fellowship recipients had found employment at a university or college. Canada Graduate Scholarships master’s recipients were more diversely employed—in universities (41 per cent), the public sector (25 per cent), the private sector (15 per cent) and the not-for-profit sector (13 per cent).

In 2014–15, SSHRC awarded the first grant for partnered research training initiatives under Talent, one of 18 Partnership Grants funded. Two other letters of intent were approved, but were unsuccessful at the full proposal stage. Three Talent letter-of-intent applications were invited to the second stage in April 2015. These partnerships are designed to support the creation of innovative approaches that enrich research training experiences for students and postdoctoral researchers, while facilitating their transition to academic or non-academic workplace settings.

Program 1.2 Insight: new knowledge in the social sciences and humanities

In 2014–15, SSHRC invested 43 per cent of its Strategic Outcome 1 grants budget in funding opportunities under its Insight program. This program aims to support and foster excellence in social sciences and humanities research intended to increase understanding of individuals and societies, and to inform the search for solutions to societal challenges. SSHRC-funded researchers are building knowledge and understanding of complex and important topics in the humanities and social sciences, producing an average of 13 research contributions per project. The majority of these are conference papers (25.0 per cent of research contributions), peer-reviewed articles in research journals (25.2 per cent), and books and book chapters (16.4 per cent). SSHRC-funded researchers are also present in the media, radio and television broadcasts, public lectures, and websites. The work of researchers funded through the Insight program is recognized nationally and internationally. A number of funded research projects have been cited for recognition or prizes, and the researchers themselves have won various awards for their books and articles, as well as prestigious prizes such as the Killam Prize. SSHRC supports many mechanisms for formal partnerships (with financial and/or in-kind contributions from partners) involving partners from the academic, public, private and not-for-profit sectors within Canada and internationally. For every dollar requested through SSHRC, Partnership Grant holders are, on average, leveraging up to $0.69 in cash and in-kind partner contributions. Furthermore, Partnership Development Grant holders are leveraging up to $0.83 through partner contributions.
In 2014–15, SSHRC continued to increase the transparency of its merit review process by making more information publicly available. SSHRC also conducted an internal audit of the Insight program to provide assurances that management controls, risk management practices and overall governance arrangements are up to date and effective. The final report was approved by the President in September 2014. A number of actions identified in the Management Response will be completed in 2015–16.

Program 1.3 Connection: mobilization of social sciences and humanities knowledge

In 2014–15, Connection program funding constituted 9 per cent of SSHRC’s grant expenditures under Strategic Outcome 1. SSHRC’s support for knowledge mobilization activities enhances access to, and maximizes the impact of, publicly funded research in the social sciences and humanities. In addition, SSHRC continued its integration of knowledge mobilization activities across its suite of programs, so that Canadian and international policy-makers, business and community leaders, educators, media representatives, and countless others benefit from SSHRC-funded activities. Activities include the publication of scholarly journals and books; organization of and participation in events to discuss, compare and plan research activities; the honouring and recognition of researchers, graduate students and postdoctoral fellows whose contributions to research have enriched Canadian society; and the development of large-scale, virtual research networks that bring together partners from academia, industry, government and not-for-profit organizations.

The 2013 evaluation of SSHRC’s knowledge mobilization funding opportunities revealed that SSHRC’s knowledge mobilization funding opportunities were very successful in creating partnerships and networks, and involve a large array of contributors, including Aboriginal associations, museums, not-for-profit organizations, private business enterprises and different levels of government. Every dollar awarded by SSHRC through its Connection Grants funding opportunity in 2014–15 yielded a commitment of $1.20 in combined cash and in-kind contributions.

In response to one of the evaluation recommendations, SSHRC updated the objectives and expected outcomes of its knowledge mobilization activities by developing and validating an updated definition of knowledge mobilization, tactics and deliverables with key internal and external stakeholders. Communications and engagement activities and the development of guidelines for the research community are expected to be completed early in 2015–16.

Launched in early 2015 as part of the Imagining Canada’s Future initiative, the most recent Knowledge Synthesis Grants funding opportunity asked applicants to consider what insights social sciences and humanities research can contribute to the question: What new ways of learning, particularly in higher education, will Canadians need to thrive in an evolving society and labour market? SSHRC received 89 applications for this competition, and 20 grants were awarded.

Comments on variances: Differences in planned and actual spending relate to normal turnover of Canada Research Chairs incumbents and include changes announced in Budget 2013.

Audits completed or planned: Audit of the Insight program was completed in September 2014.

Evaluations completed or planned:

• Evaluation of the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships program was completed in June 2014.
• Evaluation of the Canada Excellence Research Chairs program was completed in October 2014.
• Evaluation of the SSHRC Doctoral and Postdoctoral Fellowships is planned for June 2015.
• Evaluations of the Networks of Centres of Excellence and the Business-Led Networks of Centres of Excellence are planned for October 2015.
• Evaluation of the Canada Graduate Scholarships program is planned for October 2015.
• Evaluation of the Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships is planned for October 2015.
• Evaluation of the SSHRC Institutional Capacity Grants is planned for September 2015.
• Evaluation of the Individual, Team and Partnership Research Grants is planned for January 2016.
• Evaluation of the Canada Research Chairs program is planned for March 2016.

Engagement of applicants and recipients: A variety of engagement initiatives (webinars, site visits, telephone, email, online forums) have been used as part of the regular competition cycle, in order to give applicants and recipients opportunities to seek and receive information and to provide feedback on service delivery.

* Differences in planned and actual spending relate to normal turnover of Canada Research Chairs incumbents and include changes announced in Budget 2013.
** These figures do not include operating expenses.

Name of transfer payment program: Canada Graduate Scholarships (voted)

Start date: 2003

End date: Ongoing

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2008-09

Strategic outcome: 1—Canada is a world leader in social sciences and humanities research and research training

Link to department’s Program Alignment Architecture: 1.1 Talent: attraction, retention and development of students and researchers in the social sciences and humanities

Description: This transfer payment program supports doctoral students and master’s students in the social sciences and humanities. This transfer payment program does not have any repayable contributions.

Results achieved: In 2014–15, SSHRC awarded 1,294 master’s scholarships and 430 doctoral scholarships through the Joseph-Armand Bombardier Canada Graduate Scholarships funding opportunity. The 2011–12 SSHRC Scholarships and Fellowships survey looked at the SSHRC Canada Graduate Scholarships master’s cohort from 2004 and revealed that over 97 per cent of respondents completed their graduate degree or research program, and that the median time to completion was just under two years. Of the doctoral cohort from 2000–02, 93 per cent of respondents completed their graduate degree or research program and the median time to completion was just over five years. Canada Graduate Scholarships master’s respondents also reported satisfaction with different facets of their program: 77 per cent were satisfied with their overall experience; 78 per cent were satisfied with the opportunity to conduct research; and 75 per cent were satisfied with the quality of the teaching. The next evaluation of the Canada Graduate Scholarships program will be completed in 2015–16.

In The State of Science and Technology in Canada, 2012, the Council of Canadian Academies noted that Canada ranks first among Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries for percentage of the population having completed postsecondary education (college or university). At the doctoral level, Canada ranks eighth for number of doctoral students per thousand of population. The report also noted that “from 2005 to 2009, the number of doctoral graduates from Canadian institutions grew substantially, with the largest percentage growth [32.2 per cent] among comparable OECD countries.”

Guiding principles have been approved as the three federal research funding agencies continued to pursue the harmonization of the Canada Graduate Scholarships doctoral funding opportunity in order to simplify the application and adjudication processes for students and institutions, as well as harmonize post-award policies for all scholarships.

Fall 2015 will mark the first time the annual Canada Graduate Scholarships competition will include scholarships in honour of Nelson Mandela. These scholarships—up to 10 master’s and up to 10 doctoral—will recognize gifted Canadian graduate students, and help them study subjects that marked the South African leader’s life

Comments on variances: Not applicable.

Audits completed or planned: Audit of the Canada Graduate Scholarships program is planned for 2015–16.

Evaluations completed or planned: Evaluation of the Canada Graduate Scholarships program is planned for October 2015.

Engagement of applicants and recipients: A variety of engagement initiatives (webinars, site visits, telephone, email, online forums) have been used as part of the regular competition cycle, in order to give applicants and recipients opportunities to seek and receive information and to provide feedback on service delivery.

* These figures do not include operating expenses.

Name of transfer payment program: Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (voted)

Start date: 2008

End date: Ongoing

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2008-09

Strategic outcome: 1 - Canada is a world leader in social sciences and humanities research and research training

Link to department’s Program Alignment Architecture: 1.1 Talent: attraction, retention and development of students and researchers in the social sciences and humanities

Description: SSHRC’s portion of this tri-agency class grant transfer payment program provides financial support to Canadian and international students who have achieved outstanding success in their studies and will pursue a doctoral program at a Canadian university in an area of the social sciences and humanities. This transfer payment program does not have any repayable contributions.

Results achieved: The Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (Vanier CGS) program attracts and retains world-class doctoral students and helps establish Canada as a global centre of excellence in research and higher learning. SSHRC funded 55 new Vanier scholars in 2014–15, 24 of which were awarded to foreign citizens. In this competition, 33 per cent of the candidates put forward by universities in the humanities and social sciences were from outside of Canada.

In 2014−15, the Vanier CGS program underwent its first evaluation, which was led by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) in partnership with the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) and SSHRC. The evaluation identified some challenges including the program’s ability to attract and recruit students from outside of Canada. The evaluation recommended that a portion of nomination allocations be reserved for foreign students moving forward. Changes to the three-year cycle allocation and application processes were also recommended to enable the Vanier CGS program to better meet its objective of attracting and recruiting world-class doctoral students to Canadian universities. The agencies changed the allocation of the program to an annual quota, and clearer definitions and guidelines were developed to be included in the June 2015 launch.

The program is administered by the Vanier-Banting Secretariat representing Canada’s three federal research granting agencies. The secretariat is housed within CIHR. The secretariat continues to work on improvements related to the timing of the program and the recruitment of foreign students to the program.

Comments on variances: Not applicable.

Audits completed or planned: Not applicable.

Evaluations completed or planned: Evaluation of the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships was completed in June 2014.

Engagement of applicants and recipients: A variety of engagement initiatives (webinars, site visits, telephone, email, online forums) have been used as part of the regular competition cycle, in order to give applicants and recipients opportunities to seek and receive information and to provide feedback on service delivery.

* These figures do not include operating expenses.

Name of transfer payment program: Networks of Centres of Excellence (voted)

Start date: 1997

End date: Ongoing

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2008-09

Strategic outcome: 1: Canada is a world leader in social sciences and humanities research and research training

Link to department’s Program Alignment Architecture: 1.3 Connection: mobilization of social sciences and humanities knowledge

Description: This federal class grant transfer payment program is administered jointly by the three federal research funding agencies in partnership with Industry Canada. It supports research in complex areas of critical importance to Canadian universities and hospitals working with the private and public sectors. The networks funded through this program are multidisciplinary and multisectoral partnerships that stimulate leading-edge, internationally competitive research in areas critical to Canadian economic and social development.

Results achieved: An evaluation of the Networks of Centres of Excellence program is currently under way and the results are expected in winter 2015.

Two seven-year networks are undergoing their mid-term reviews: AllerGen (allergy, genes and the environment) and ArcticNet (arctic research). The results are expected in fall 2015. The renewal competition is under way for the three ongoing knowledge mobilization networks—PREVNet (preventing bullying), TREKK (children’s emergency medicine), and CYCC (youth at risk); the results are also expected in fall 2015. The renewal competition was launched for the second cycle of funding for three five-year networks: MEOPAR (oceanography), TVN (care of the elderly) and BioFuelNet (biofuels). Those results are expected in fall 2016.

A recently completed summative evaluation of the Business Led-Networks of Centres of Excellence program focused on the relevance, performance and cost-effectiveness of the program. The evaluation confirmed the continued need for the program, as demand is strong and the network approach to research funding was found to have a positive impact on partner organizations and R&D receptivity, capacity and investment. The management response and proposed action plan will be finalized in 2015-16.

Comments on variances: Not applicable.

Audits completed or planned: Not applicable

Evaluations completed or planned: Evaluation of the Networks of Centres of Excellence and the Business-Led Networks of Centres of Excellence is planned for October 2015.

Engagement of applicants and recipients: A variety of engagement initiatives (webinars, site visits, telephone, email, online forums) have been used as part of the regular competition cycle, in order to give applicants and recipients opportunities to seek and receive information and to provide feedback on service delivery.

* These figures do not include operating expenses.

Name of transfer payment program: Centres of Excellence for Commercialization and Research

Start date: 2007–08

End date: Ongoing

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2012-13

Strategic outcome: 1- Canada is a world leader in social sciences and humanities research and research training

Link to department’s Program Alignment Architecture: 1.3 Connection: mobilization of social sciences and humanities knowledge

Description: SSHRC’s portion of the tri-agency class grant Centres of Excellence for Commercialization and Research program supports the operation of commercialization and/or research centres that bring together people, services and infrastructure to maximize the benefits of the government’s investments in skills and research, and to encourage greater private sector investment in science and technology, in areas of the social sciences and humanities.

Results achieved: The Centres of Excellence for Commercialization and Research launched a competition for extended funding for centres that were successful in the 2010 competition, as well as for new centres. The competition budget amounts to $58 million over five years. Five applications to extend funding and 26 letters of intent were received in March 2015. Nine new applicants were invited to submit full applications. The application adjudication process will be ongoing in 2015–16, and new awards will be announced in March 2016. The Private Sector Advisory Board conducted its first performance monitoring of active centres since it adopted monitoring as part of its regular activities.

Comments on variances: The variance between planned and actual spending relates to the program cycle, where funding amounts are determined post-competition and appropriated through the Supplementary Estimates during the year.

Audits completed or planned: Not applicable

Evaluations completed or planned: Not applicable

Engagement of applicants and recipients: A variety of engagement initiatives (webinars, site visits, telephone, email, online forums) have been used as part of the regular competition cycle, in order to give applicants and recipients opportunities to seek and receive information and to provide feedback on service delivery.

* The variance between planned and actual spending relates to the program cycle, where funding amounts are determined post-competition and appropriated through the Supplementary Estimates during the year.
** These figures do not include operating expenses.

Name of transfer payment program: Indirect Costs of Research (voted)

Start date: 2003

End date: Ongoing

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2009-10

Strategic outcome: 2 - Canada has the institutional capacity to enable research and research-related activities in social sciences and humanities, natural sciences and engineering and health

Link to department’s Program Alignment Architecture: 2.1 Indirect Costs of Research

Description: This transfer payment program supports a portion of the indirect costs associated with the conduct of academic research in institutions that receive research grant funds from any of the three federal research funding agencies. Grants are awarded to eligible institutions using a progressive funding formula based on the average revenues from research grants received from CIHR, NSERC and SSHRC. This transfer payment program does not have any repayable contributions.

Results achieved: Indirect Costs Program grants to postsecondary institutions equalled $332.4 million in 2014–15, providing vital support to the academic research environment in Canada. The Indirect Costs Program partially offsets institutional expenses by providing support in five categories. In 2012–13, institutions allocated 34 per cent of the grants to research facilities, 17 per cent to research resources, 34 per cent to management and administration, 10 per cent to regulatory requirements and accreditation, and 5 per cent to intellectual property management. In their annual outcomes report, 83 per cent of institutions cited the program as an important factor in gaining new sources of funding. The impact of the grants was both direct, through supporting research administration and grant writing, and indirect, by helping to maintain the infrastructure necessary to support new initiatives.

The 10th-year evaluation of the Indirect Costs Program was completed in 2014–15. It found that there is a continuing need for the program and that many contextual shifts have put pressure on the indirect cost of research. The evaluation further found that the program is consistent with federal and tri-agency priorities and is aligned with federal roles and responsibilities. The management response was approved in October 2014. Program changes to respond to the evaluation recommendations were dovetailed with the changes related to the transition to the Research Support Fund. Operational changes (e.g., changes to the program’s Performance Measurement Strategy) were approved by the program’s management committee.

Comments on variances: The variance between planned and actual spending relates to additional funding announced in Budget 2014.

Audits completed or planned: Not applicable

Evaluations completed or planned: Evaluation of the Indirect Costs Program was completed in June 2014.

Engagement of applicants and recipients: A variety of engagement initiatives (webinars, site visits, telephone, email, online forums) have been used as part of the regular competition cycle, in order to give applicants and recipients opportunities to seek and receive information and to provide feedback on service delivery.

* The variance between planned and actual spending relates to additional funding announced in Budget 2014.
** These figures do not include operating expenses.