Knowledge Synthesis Grants

Evolving Narratives of Cultures and Histories

March 2024 Competition

On this page

• Description
• Value and duration
• Eligibility
• Application process
• Merit review
• Regulations, policies and related information
• Contact information

Description

SSHRC, in partnership with Canadian Heritage, Genome Canada, and UK Research and Innovation’s Arts and Humanities Research Council (UKRI-AHRC), is pleased to launch a Knowledge Synthesis Grants competition to mobilize, examine and synthesize social sciences and humanities research on  Evolving Narratives of Cultures and Histories.

Evolving Narratives of Cultures and Histories is one of 16 global future challenges identified through SSHRC’s Imagining Canada’s Future initiative. These complex issues, identified in 2018 following an extensive foresight exercise, reflect key challenges that Canada and the world are likely to face over the coming decades. All the challenges cross multiple sectors and research disciplines and require broad collaboration to address.

In an increasingly connected world, globalization can drive homogenized societal practices and dominating cultural perspectives. New technologies and online platforms can offer significant benefits to our society and economy, but they also bring challenges, including impacts on the discoverability of diverse content, the rise of disinformation, and questions over ownership and stewardship of cultural traditions and assets. Additionally, wars, climate change, natural disasters, shifting economic priorities and population growth put cultural heritage at risk. The world has and continues to experience the loss of languages, traditions, historical narratives and material cultural assets created over many generations. At the same time, developments in platform technologies―such as genomics and Artificial Intelligence (AI)― increased sharing and learning capabilities, and a realization that different systems of knowledge may hold solutions for global challenges provide opportunities to recover, revitalize and protect cultures and histories. These factors are leading to new and recovered expressions of identity, belonging and citizenship, changing the narratives that we tell about ourselves and each other.

The impacts of colonialism, racism and slavery continue to inform understandings of, and engagements with, cultures and histories. In the African Diaspora and Africa, calls for reparative justice to redress the legacies of enslavement and colonization continue to gain traction. In Canada, reconciliation with First Nations, Inuit and Métis requires settlers and newcomers to reconsider dominating historical and cultural narratives and respectfully engage with Indigenous Knowledge systems, cultures and traditions. Across the globe, individuals, families and communities are similarly addressing the legacies of conflicts and displacements. As marginalized and colonized populations seek recognition for losses and celebrate cultural resilience and survival in the face of adversity, they are challenging longstanding narratives about the past. Contested cultural and historical narratives can reinforce communal tensions and lead to alienation, denialism and marginalization. However, these narratives and their impacts can also change over time as they are challenged and shaped through personal experiences, education, arts and literature, cross-cultural engagements and changing political and economic contexts.

SSHRC, Canadian Heritage, Genome Canada and UKRI-AHRC have partnered on this funding opportunity to support research that will foster a deeper understanding of the state of knowledge about the global challenge of Evolving Narratives of Cultures and Histories. This competition will include two streams:

• Stream 1 will be reserved for applications submitted by an applicant or project director affiliated with an eligible Canadian institution. Genome Canada may fund up to four projects in this stream and SSHRC, with additional funding from Canadian Heritage, may fund up to 16 projects.  
• Stream 2 will be reserved for applications jointly submitted by two applicants or project directors, one based in Canada and the other in the UK, who are affiliated with eligible institutions in their respective countries. Up to 20 projects may be jointly funded by SSHRC and UKRI-AHRC.

The resulting syntheses will identify roles that the academic, public, private and not-for-profit sectors could play in promoting more inclusive and equitable societies and can inform the development of effective tools and technologies, robust policies and sustainable practices required to support the path toward a diverse and inclusive future for all.

Knowledge Synthesis Grants

Knowledge Synthesis Grants support researchers in producing knowledge synthesis reports and evidence briefs that:

• support the use of evidence in decision-making and the application of best practices; and
• assist in developing future research agendas.

Applicants must address the following three objectives in their proposals:

1. State of knowledge, strengths and gaps
   • critically assess the state of knowledge of the future challenge theme under consideration from a variety of sources, as appropriate;
   • identify knowledge strengths and gaps within the theme; and
   • acknowledge Indigenous knowledge systems and research methodologies when appropriate; and,
   • identify the most promising policies and practices related to the theme.
2. Research data
   • assess the quality, accuracy and rigour (i.e., methodological approaches) of current work in the field; and
   • identify strengths and gaps in the quantitative and qualitative data available.
3. Knowledge mobilization
   • engage cross-sectoral stakeholders (academic, public, private and not-for-profit sectors) and/or First Nations, Inuit and Métis rights holders throughout the project to mobilize knowledge related to promising policies and practices; and
   • use effective knowledge mobilization methods to facilitate the sharing of research findings with cross-sectoral stakeholders and Indigenous rights holders.

Researchers can include international comparisons and case studies in their proposal but must show how the research has the potential to inform policy issues in Canada (Stream 1) or Canada and/or the UK (Stream 2).

This Knowledge Synthesis Grants funding opportunity is guided by the following questions:

1. Drawing on domestic, international and/or cross-sectoral evidence, what can researchers tell us about these issues?
2. How might the findings guide public policy, practice and research agendas for Canada (Stream 1) or Canada and/or the UK (Stream 2) in the immediate and long term?

Expected outcomes

Knowledge syntheses are comprehensive analyses of literature and other forms of knowledge on a particular question or issue. All types of knowledge synthesis approaches, tools and protocols, such as scoping reviews, systematic reviews and narrative syntheses, are encouraged under this funding opportunity. Synthesized results can include qualitative, quantitative or multimethod research.

Knowledge Synthesis Grants are not intended to support original research. Rather, they are intended to support the synthesis of existing research knowledge and identify knowledge gaps. This call is particularly focused on the state of research produced over the past 10 years.

In support of these objectives, Knowledge Synthesis Grants will help identify roles that the academic, public, private and not-for-profit sectors, including Indigenous rights holders, can play in developing and implementing robust policies, best practices and tools.

Successful applicants will be expected to:

• complete a synthesis report (maximum 40 pages) and two-page evidence brief within eight months of receiving the grant;
• participate in a virtual kick-off webinar (tentatively scheduled for May 2024); and
• participate in a virtual knowledge mobilization forum eight months after the grant has been awarded (tentatively scheduled for January 2025) to share research findings with community practitioners and knowledge users in various sectors. Further details about the forum will be shared with successful applicants when finalized.

Successful applicants will receive guidelines for completing their synthesis report and two-page evidence brief. Researchers are expected to make their synthesis reports publicly available—such as through their web page or through an institutional repository—and to include the link in their evidence brief. SSHRC, Genome Canada, and Canadian Heritage (Stream 1) and SSHRC and UKRI-AHRC (Stream 2) will make all evidence briefs publicly available on their websites, as appropriate. See examples of final reports and evidence briefs produced through a recent Knowledge Synthesis Grants funding opportunity for additional guidance.

Themes

The questions below illustrate some of the many interconnected issues that encompass the global challenge of Evolving Narratives of Cultures and Histories. The questions are intended to provide guidance to applicants; proposals on other issues relevant to this future challenge are welcome.

• How can cultural heritage assets be protected from current and future threats?
• What roles do material culture, literature and the arts play in evolving narratives of culture and history?
• How do new technologies, including genomics and advanced digital media, impact the preservation and (re)making of (re)emerging cultures and historical narratives, particularly among marginalized groups and communities? What opportunities and risks do these same technologies pose for communities? How can these communities engage with technologies on their own terms to define and derive benefits?
• How can educational and cultural institutions, including galleries, libraries, archives and museums, support the flourishing of diverse cultural perspectives and practices?
• How is the value for societal wellbeing and prosperity of the broad spectrum of cultural assets, production and consumption being captured and assessed?
• How can the legal system and political, economic and social policies foster and support cultural diversity? Alternatively, how are laws and policies being used to suppress diversity and protect dominant cultures and historical narratives?
• How are underrepresented communities creating space for the expression and evolution of their cultures and traditions? Why and how have they been marginalized by dominating cultures? What are the barriers that prevent their voices from being heard and accepted?
• As Canada and other Western nations increasingly rely on immigration to bolster population growth, how are multiracial, multicultural and multilingual dimensions of society acknowledged in personal, communal and national narratives of belonging and identity?
• Who determines ownership over ideas, traditions, cultures and histories? How are Indigenous perspectives on stewardship of languages, arts, culture and science intersecting with Western understandings of ownership? How will concepts of ownership and stewardship play out in a world of new technologies like genomics and AI?
• How might genomic tools and technologies contribute, challenge or change the narratives that individuals shared about themselves, their families and their communities?
• How can diverse cultural perspectives help solve  global challenges and contribute to innovation in political, economic, technological and social spheres?

The call for proposals invites applications from researchers in any discipline that can inform and contribute to the objectives of this funding opportunity. Future challenges cross multiple sectors and research disciplines and require broad collaboration to address them: applicants are encouraged to submit proposals that feature multidisciplinary research teams.

SSHRC welcomes applications involving Indigenous research, as well as those involving research-creation. All researchers are encouraged to consider the themes through an intersectional lens to yield a better understanding of how this challenge can affect different people, communities and populations in a variety of environments. Knowledge syntheses related to First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities should be participatory and collaborative, prioritizing research completed by Indigenous communities and Indigenous-led organizations, and grounded in Indigenous worldviews and approaches to research. For guidance and resources, please consult the SSHRC Indigenous Research webpage.

Stream 1:

Genome Canada may fund up to four projects that have a direct connection to genomics and investigate aspects of cultures and histories in relation to the uptake of responsible and equitable genomics-enabled innovation. The application should address the potential implications of findings for policy and practice to support the delivery of equitable and impactful genomics research and innovation.

SSHRC, along with Heritage Canada, may fund up to 16 projects investigating how narratives of culture and history are evolving and the implications and considerations these have on the cultural, civic and economic life of Canadians. Applications should include considerations for policy-makers in the private, public and not-for-profit sectors.

Stream 2:

UKRI-AHRC and SSHRC will jointly fund up to 20 projects. The majority of the UK component must fall within UKRI-AHRC’s remit and applications should outline how the project aligns with the objectives underpinning UKRI-AHRC’s vision (Discovering Ourselves, Contemporary Challenges, Cultural Assets and Creative Economy).

Value and duration

Knowledge Synthesis Grants are valued at $30,000 for one year.

Knowledge mobilization activities (i.e., conference presentations and outreach activities) can take place throughout the year. All synthesis reports and evidence briefs must be completed before the virtual forum.

By applying for this funding opportunity, successful applicants consent to SSHRC and its partners sharing the resulting synthesis reports and evidence briefs with other interested organizations and individuals. This does not in any way limit how researchers may otherwise publish or use the results of their research.

Stream 1:

Up to 20 grants of up to C$30,000 per project may be awarded. Up to four grants may be funded by Genome Canada, and up to 16 by Canadian Heritage and SSHRC. For Genome Canada-funded awards, institutional collaboration with Genome Canada will be crucial to ensure a timely transfer of funds to the institution and award-holders.  

Stream 2:

Up to 20 grants may be awarded, of up to C$30,000 in total per project (~£17,528, subject to the Bank of Canada’s exchange rate). Applicants should consult the current exchange rate before submitting their team’s application. For projects selected for funding, each country’s applicant or team will receive a grant from their respective country’s funder for their portion of the project.

The international teams should include balanced budget requests for both portions of the project with their application, directed to SSHRC and UKRI-AHRC, respectively. Budgets cannot exceed a maximum 60/40-% split across the two agencies (e.g., C$18,000/£10,517 or £7,011/C$12,000).

The Canadian researchers’ portion of the project will be funded by SSHRC based on the funding request they submitted through the itemized budget.

The UK researchers’ portion of the project will be funded by UKRI-AHRC based on the funding request submitted through the itemized budget. Please note that all UK costs will be funded at 80% of the full economic cost (fEC). For further details on eligible costs, refer to the AHRC Research Funding Guide.

Eligibility

Subject matter

Stream 1 and Stream 2 (Canadian applicants):

Most SSHRC funding is awarded through open competitions. Proposals can involve any disciplines, thematic areas, approaches or subject areas eligible for SSHRC funding. See the guidelines on subject matter eligibility for more information.

Projects whose primary objective is curriculum development are not eligible for funding under this funing opportunity.

Stream 2 (UK applicants):

The majority of the UK component must fall within UKRI-AHRC’s remit and applications should outline how the project aligns with one or more of the objectives underpinning UKRI-AHRC’s vision.

Applicants

Stream 1:

Applications can be submitted by an individual researcher or a team of researchers (consisting of one applicant and one or more co-applicants and/or collaborators).

Applicants must be affiliated with a Canadian institution that holds institutional eligibility before funding can be released. Researchers who maintain an affiliation with a Canadian institution that holds institutional eligibility, but whose primary affiliation is with a non-Canadian postsecondary institution, are not eligible for applicant status.

Applicants (or project directors, where applicable) who have received a SSHRC grant of any type but have failed to submit an end of grant or achievement report by the deadline specified in their Notice of Award are not eligible to apply for another SSHRC grant until they have submitted the report.

Postdoctoral fellows are eligible to be applicants if they have formally established an affiliation with an eligible institution at the time of application and maintain this affiliation for the duration of the grant period. Before applying, postdoctoral researchers must confirm with their institution’s research grants officer that the institution can administer the funding if awarded.

Students enrolled in a program of study are not eligible to apply.

Stream 2:

Applications must include two applicants (principal investigators), with one based in Canada and one in the UK. In your application, identify one of these individuals as the project co-ordinator.

Canadian Applicants:

Applicants must be affiliated with a Canadian institution that holds institutional eligibility before funding can be released. Researchers who maintain an affiliation with a Canadian institution that holds institutional eligibility, but whose primary affiliation is with a non-Canadian postsecondary institution, are not eligible for applicant status.

Applicants (or project directors, where applicable) who have received a SSHRC grant of any type but have failed to submit an end of grant or achievement report by the deadline specified in their Notice of Award are not eligible to apply for another SSHRC grant until they have submitted the report.

Postdoctoral fellows are eligible to be applicants if they have formally established an affiliation with an eligible institution at the time of application and maintain such an affiliation for the duration of the grant period. Before applying, postdoctoral fellows must confirm with their institution’s research grants officer that the institution can administer the funding if awarded.

Students enrolled in a program of study are not eligible to apply.

UK Applicants

To be eligible to apply for this funding opportunity, you must be at an eligible research organization.  This is any UK higher education institution that receives grant funding from one of the UK higher education funding bodies, or a UKRI-recognised research institute or organization. Further information can be found in UKRI’s “Check If You Are Eligible for Research Funding” guide.

Standard UKRI-AHRC eligibility criteria (see Section 2 of AHRC’s Research Funding Guide) will apply to this call for named UK investigators and research organizations. Note that studentships will not be funded by UKRI-AHRC through this opportunity.

Institutions

Stream 1:

Grant funds can only be administered by an eligible Canadian postsecondary institution. Institutions proposing to administer a grant awarded under this funding opportunity must hold or obtain institutional eligibility.

Indigenous not-for-profit organizations wanting to administer multiple Partnership Development Grants, Partnership Grants and/or Connection Grants  are encouraged to begin the institutional eligibility application process at least two months before the relevant funding opportunity’s application deadline.

Institutions must contact SSHRC to begin the institutional eligibility application process or if they have questions about institutional eligibility.

Stream 2:

This is an international competition and will only accept international, collaborative research projects. Proposed projects must involve a minimum of two researchers, one of whom is affiliated with an institution in Canada, the other with an institution in the UK. These institutions must be eligible to administer SSHRC and AHRC funding, respectively.

Co-applicants

Individuals (including postdoctoral fellows) are eligible to be co-applicants if they are formally affiliated with any of the following:

• Canadian eligible postsecondary institution; not-for-profit organization; philanthropic foundation; think tank; or municipal, territorial or provincial government; or
• International postsecondary institution.

Collaborators

Any individual who makes a significant contribution to the project is eligible to be a collaborator. Collaborators do not need to be affiliated with an eligible Canadian postsecondary institution.

Individuals from the private sector or federal government can participate only as collaborators.

Multiple applications and holding multiple awards

Stream 1 and Stream 2 (Canadian applicants):

See SSHRC’s regulations regarding multiple applications and holding multiple awards for more information.

Stream 2 (UK applicants)

See AHRC’s Research Funding Guide (Submitting more than one application to the same scheme) for more information.

Monitoring

Stream 1 and Stream 2 (Canadian applicants):

Grant holders will be expected to report on the use of grant funds, on funded activities undertaken during the grant period, and on outcomes. Successful applicants will be informed of reporting requirements when they receive their Notice of Award.

Stream 2 (UK applicants):

Award holders in the UK are required to submit outputs, outcomes and impacts that arise from AHRC’s funding through the Research system. More details on Research are available on the UKRI website.

Application process

Stream 1 and Stream 2:

Applicants must complete the application form in accordance with accompanying instructions (Stream 1 or Stream 2). Applications must be submitted electronically by an authorized research grants officer or equivalent from the applicant’s institution, or by a representative of the not-for-profit organization who has financial signing authority and is not participating in the project.

For Stream 1, applicants must complete and attach the SSHRC budget form. For Stream 2, applicants must complete and attach both the SSHRC and UKRI-AHRC budget forms.

Applicants needing help while preparing their application should communicate with SSHRC well in advance of the application deadline.

Merit review

Applications are reviewed, and available funds awarded, through a competitive merit review process. SSHRC bases funding decisions on the recommendations of the merit review committee and on the funds available. Committee discussions are guided by the principle of minimum essential funding.

The goal of SSHRC and its partners is to support syntheses covering a range of Evolving Narratives of Histories and Cultures themes. In addition to using the evaluation criteria below, and in keeping with established Knowledge Synthesis Grant practices, SSHRC and its partners will consider the overall coverage of themes among recommended applications to ensure that the synthesis reports address a broad distribution of topics. Grants may not necessarily be allocated evenly across themes. However, more than one grant could be allocated to a single theme where there are value-added differences in approach and coverage.

Knowledge Synthesis Grants are not intended to support original research. Rather, they are intended to support the synthesis of existing research knowledge and identify knowledge gaps.

SSHRC’s Guidelines for the Merit Review of Indigenous Research are relevant for researchers (applicants and project directors) and students preparing SSHRC applications related to Indigenous research. SSHRC provides these guidelines to merit reviewers to help build understanding of Indigenous research and research-related activities, and to help committee members interpret SSHRC’s specific evaluation criteria in the context of Indigenous research. SSHRC relies on a community of merit reviewers with experience and expertise in Indigenous research to judge the extent to which the guidelines can be applied to a particular research proposal. The guidelines may also be useful  to external assessors, postsecondary institutions and partner organizations that support Indigenous research.

Evaluation criteria and scoring

The following criteria and scoring scheme are used to evaluate the applications:

1. Challenge—The aim and importance of the endeavour (40%):
   • expected contribution to the funding opportunity’s stated objectives;
   • significance of the applicant’s chosen topic or area(s) for synthesis, based on the issues identified in this call for proposals;
   • potential influence and impact in informing policy and practice in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors; and
   • identification of research gaps that might be addressed by a forward-looking research agenda in the chosen area(s).
2. Feasibility—The plan to achieve excellence (30%):
   • ability to meet the objectives of the funding opportunity;
   • appropriateness of the methodology or approach and of the work plan, including timelines for the design and conduct of the activity;
   • quality and appropriateness of knowledge mobilization plans, including effective dissemination, exchange and engagement with stakeholders within and/or beyond the research community, where applicable; and
   • appropriateness of the requested budget.
3. Capability—The expertise to succeed (30%):
   • qualifications of the applicant/team to carry out the proposed project (such as expertise in the research area, synthesis methods, information retrieval and Indigenous research); and
   • evidence of other knowledge mobilization activities (such as films, performances, commissioned reports, knowledge syntheses, experience collaborating/interacting with stakeholders, and contributions to public debate and the media) and of impacts on policy and practice.

Scoring table

Merit review committee members assign a score for each of the three criteria above, based on the following scoring table. The appropriate weighting is then applied to arrive at a final score. Applications must receive a score of 3.0 or higher for each of the three criteria to be recommended for funding.

Communication of results

SSHRC makes competition results available to applicants through the SSHRC Extranet for Applicants and to institutions through the Grants and Scholarships Administration Portal.

Regulations, policies and related information

Stream 1 and Stream 2 (Canadian Applicants):

SSHRC reserves the right to determine the eligibility of applications based on the information included. SSHRC also reserves the right to interpret the regulations and policies governing its funding opportunities.

All Canadian applicants and grant holders must comply with the regulations governing grant applications and with the regulations set out in the Tri-Agency Guide on Financial Administration.

Grant holders must also comply with the Tri-Agency Open Access Policy on Publications (see the Open Access overview for more information) and   the Tri-Agency Research Data Management Policy that replaced SSHRC’s Research Data Archiving policy on April 1, 2021 for all active grants.

Stream 2 (UK Applicants):

All UK applicants must comply with the latest edition of the AHRC Research Funding Guide.

Specific rules for the use of grant funds

• Canadian applicants:No team members (applicant, co-applicant or collaborator) can be remunerated with grant funds. This includes postdoctoral fellows serving in any of these capacities.
• UKRI AHRC applicants: Applicants should consult Section 3 of the AHRC Research Funding Guide for guidance on eligible expenses, including salaries.
• Consultation fees are allowable for expert and/or professional and technical services that contribute directly to the proposed research so long as the service is not being provided by a team member or other persons whose status would make them eligible to apply for a SSHRC grant.
• Consult the application instructions for further details

Guidelines and related support material

All applicants for SSHRC funding should consult the following guidelines while preparing their application:

• SSHRC’s Definitions of Terms for terms used in the grant application process;
• Guidelines for Effective Research Training, which can also be useful to reviewers and postsecondary institutions;
• SSHRC’s Indigenous Research Statement of Principles and Guidelines for the Merit Review of Indigenous Research for applications involving Indigenous research;
• SSHRC’s definition of knowledge mobilization and Guidelines for Effective Knowledge Mobilization for guidance on connecting with research users to create impact;

In addition, applicants to stream 2 should consult the following guidelines:

All applicants for AHRC funding should consult the following guidelines and support material while preparing their application:

• AHRC’s Research Funding Guide for information on AHRC funding policies;
• AHRC’s Objectives for information on AHRC’s strategic priorities;
• applicants may also wish to consult “How to Do Effective Knowledge Exchange” for further guidance.

Contact information

For more information, contact:

Stream 1 and Stream 2—Canadian applicants
Email: KSG-SSC@sshrc-crsh.gc.ca
Toll-free: 1-855-275-2861

Stream 2—UK applicants
Email: international@ahrc.ukri.org

Date modified:

2023-09-08