Knowledge Synthesis Grants

SSHRC has launched a Knowledge Synthesis Grants funding opportunity, to which the social sciences and humanities can contribute insights focusing on the future challenge area addressed in the question: How will Canada continue to thrive in an interconnected world and evolving global landscape?  

This topic is one of six future challenge areas identified in SSHRC’s Imagining Canada’s Future initiative.

Knowledge Synthesis Grants are worth up to $25,000 over six months. Up to 15 grants will be awarded. Successful applicants will be provided with a set of guidelines for completion of their final report.

Description

The objectives of this funding opportunity are three-fold, as noted below:

  • State of Knowledge and Research Gaps:
  • Research Data:
    • assess the quality, accuracy and rigour of current work in the field; and
    • identify gaps in the quantitative and qualitative data available.
  • Knowledge Mobilization:
    • mobilize knowledge related to promising policies and practices within the academic, private and public policy sectors; and
    • facilitate dialogue between academic researchers, cross-sectoral stakeholders and policy-makers in government.

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

Themes

Proposals should address one or more of the specific key issues listed under the themes. However, applicants may choose to identify and/or develop specific aspects or elements within the questions to frame the knowledge synthesis to be produced. 

  1. International relations and globalization
  2. Demographics and the movement of people
  3. Conflict, public safety, and global security
  4. Inequality, discrimination, and identity

 Eligibility

Applicant
  • must be affiliated with an eligible Canadian postsecondary institution at the time of application.
  • applicants who have received a SSHRC gant of any type but who have failed to submit a final research report by the deadline specified in their Notice of Award are not eligible to apply for this or any other SSHRC grant until they have submitted the report.

Application Process

Applications must be emailed as a .pdf file attachment and include the following:
  • a half-page summary of the proposal written in clear, non-technical language;
  • a proposal (maximum four pages, not including references) containing
    • a descriptive title (maximum 255 characters);
    • a description of the knowledge synthesis project, including the significance, expected contributions and impacts of the proposed synthesis, contextualized within the current literature and accounting for previous work done in the area(s);
    • an outline of the relevant expertise and experience of the applicant/team;
    • a work plan, including timelines, and a description of the proposed methodology and approach;
    • the applicant’s signature; and
    • the theme and subtheme(s) under which the proposal falls;
  • an itemized budget (maximum two pages);
  • a knowledge mobilization plan (maximum two pages) identifying the target research users expected to receive the synthesis results, how the results will be shared with these users and one or more examples of knowledge mobilizations the applicant/team has conducted with research users;
  • the discipline codes that are applicable to the proposal (up to three);
  • a list of co-applicants and collaborators (names and roles only)
  • a separate page containing the signature of an authorized signatory from the applicant’s institution, certifying that the institution will administer any award in accordance with SSHRC policies (provided by RD&S); 
  • a SSHRC Web CV for each applicant and co-applicant;
  • a list of research contributions (maximum four pages) for each applicant and co-applicant;
  • a signed Consent to Disclosure of Personal Information for each applicant and co-applicant

Submission and Deadlines

Internal deadline: January 9, 2017.  Please note that a ROLA submission will be required.

Final submission deadline: January 12, 2017 at 8:00 p.m. (eastern)

Please email all components of the application to julaine.hall@uwo.ca so that institutional signatures can be obtained and final application materials can be submitted to SSHRC by RD&S before the January 12 deadline.

Contact

Interested parties are encouraged to consult with Julaine Hall (julaine.hall@uwo.ca) at Research Development & Services regarding this funding opportunity and the application process.

More information and full application details can be found at:
http://www.sshrc-crsh.gc.ca/funding-financement/programs-programmes/ksg_interconnected_world-ssc_monde_interconnecte-eng.aspx