Insight Research

On this page

• Goal
• Context
• Objectives
• Funding opportunities
• Impact Awards
• Joint initiatives

Goal

The goal of SSHRC’s Insight Research program is to build knowledge and understanding about people, societies and the world by supporting research excellence in all subject areas eligible for SSHRC funding.

Context

Research and training in the social sciences and humanities provide the foundation for a vibrant, healthy and prosperous society. They advance knowledge and build understanding about individuals, groups and societies—what we think, how we live, and how we interact with each other and the world around us. Such research enhances our knowledge and understanding of the past and present, and informs our thinking about critical social, cultural, economic, technological and environmental issues, both within the research community and across the public, private and not-for-profit sectors.

The Insight Research program aims to support and foster excellence in social sciences and humanities research intended to deepen, widen and increase our collective understanding of individuals and societies, as well as to inform the search for solutions to societal challenges.

Objectives

The objectives of the Insight Research program are to:

• build knowledge and understanding from disciplinary, interdisciplinary and/or cross-sector perspectives through support for the best researchers;
• support new approaches to research on complex and important topics, including those that transcend the capacity of any one scholar, institution or discipline;
• provide a high-quality research training experience for students;
• fund research expertise that relates to societal challenges and opportunities; and
• mobilize research knowledge, to and from academic and non-academic audiences, with the potential to lead to intellectual, cultural, social and economic influence, benefit and impact.

Funding opportunities

For the most up-to-date information on all funding opportunities, see SSHRC’s funding search tool.

All applicants are invited to consider addressing in their research proposal one or more of the 16 future global challenges identified under SSHRC’s Imagining Canada’s Future.

SSHRC, in alignment with its Indigenous Research Statement of Principles, also welcomes applications involving Indigenous research. Interested applicants are invited to visit the Indigenous Research page for more information.

For individuals and teams

SSHRC provides funding for research carried out by individual scholars and teams of researchers.

• Insight Development Grants
• Insight Grants

Impact Awards

SSHRC Impact Awards celebrate the achievements of Canada's top leaders, thinkers and researchers in the social sciences and humanities, through five award categories. Eligible institutions can nominate researchers or students who hold or have held SSHRC funding relevant to the award category.

Joint initiatives

SSHRC collaborates with organizations from across the not-for-profit, private and public sectors to support and promote training, research and connection activities in the social sciences and humanities. SSHRC’s joint initiatives are designed to reflect its strategic objectives and mandate, inform decision-makers, and, in certain cases, address specific needs of SSHRC partners.

For a complete list of available joint initiatives, consult SSHRC’s funding search tool.

Interagency collaboration

Under the direction of the Canada Research Coordinating Committee, SSHRC, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, and the Canada Foundation for Innovation are working to better co-ordinate their programs, activities and policies. Learn more about interagency collaboration.

Date modified:

2023-05-03