SSHRC restructures programs to enhance access and simplicity of support

Researchers in the social sciences and humanities will be the beneficiaries of the most comprehensive overhaul of funding support in recent memory when revamped programs of the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) are rolled out over the next three years. The restructured program architecture is built around the themes of talent, insight and connections, bringing long overdue simplicity to the programs offered by the granting council.

The new model and framework were approved by SSHRC council in June 2009 and will be formally ratified this June after feedback to the proposed changes are reviewed and any changes incorporated into the draft document, with the first call for proposals slated for this summer.

The first CFP will be for some programs within the themes of insight and connections with research development grants following shortly thereafter. A CFP for research grants will take place in the fall of 2011 followed by remaining opportunities under connections. Scholarships and fellowships programs under the talent umbrella will remain the same although adjustments may be made at a future date.

"We're building on consultations of the past several years. There are things we've known we needed to change, often going back to 2001 … to provide greater overall coherence and simple access," says Gisele Yasmeen, SSHRC's VP partnerships. "Things evolved organically and there are now 36 mailboxes where people can apply. We want to open it up. We are looking at the entire suite of programs and how it works together."

When researchers respond to annual calls for proposals (CFP), they will be directed to one of the three umbrella programs that best conforms to their primary objectives. Each CFP will describe funding opportunities for researchers, research teams and partnerships, eligibility and timeframes and applicants will be asked to address the objectives of the other two programs.

"It works as a system. All three areas are inter-related. Talent, insight and connection are strategic objectives. If you apply to insight, you need to recognize the link to talent and connection," says Yasmeen.

Several new features distinguish the new program architecture including new integrated funding opportunities for partnerships. The four existing programs — Partnerships Development Grants and Partnerships Grants as well as two pilot programs — are being bundled together with an emphasis on creating openness and leveraging — the latter an area in which SSHRC has already been successful.

"Leveraging is an indicator of commitment among partners. Often outside sources are looking for opportunities to partner with the research community," says Yasmeen. "Our intent is not to engineer partnerships but to create openness. People need a space to start out."

The new program architecture will also have a stronger emphasis on international partnerships and support for innovative and path-breaking research — areas that have been growing rapidly in recent years.

SSHRC's decision to revamp its program architecture follows similar moves by the other granting councils. Last year, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council overhauled its suite of industry partnership and assistance programs (R$, December 9/09) while the Canadian Institutes of Health Research is implementing changes to make its funding structure more agile and dynamic.

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