SSHRC Policy Innovation Partnership Grants (PIP G) - 2025

Sponsor

Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC)

Program

Policy Innovation Partnership Grants (PIP G)

Description

Questions about SSHRC PIP G? Those interested in applying can drop in and ask questions about the program.

• Monday, June 2, 2025 from 12:00pm to 1:00pm
• Microsoft Teams Meeting Link
  • Meeting ID: 233 885 006 696
  • Passcode: A7LF3Ae7 

The Policy Innovation Partnership Grants (PIP G) aim to support partnerships between postsecondary research entities and federal government departments to establish long-term research programs on topics important to Canada and public decision-makers. If successful, this pilot funding opportunity will be offered periodically, focusing on new target areas where social sciences and humanities research can make an impact. Only one partnership will be funded per competition.

The successful partnership will advance research, capacity, and policy development by:

• Engaging federal government departments to address public policy needs.
• Conducting long-term research to inform federal policy-making.
• Developing and using comprehensive datasets relevant to public policy.
• Improving access to research knowledge within policy-making communities.
• Supporting high-quality training for students and postdoctoral researchers.

The partnership must be based within an established research entity at a Canadian postsecondary institution with a demonstrated track record in the target area. Applicants must partner with at least one Canadian federal government department.

Target Area 2025: Improving Canada's Productivity 

Productivity is foundational to a country’s long-term economic growth and prosperity. When productivity is growing rapidly, it benefits businesses, workers and consumers alike. However, according to the Bank of Canada’s Senior Deputy Governor in March 2024, “Canada has seen no productivity growth in recent years,” and there are “clear areas for improvement” in the factors driving productivity. To address this timely issue, this pilot funding opportunity targets research that supports and informs public policy aimed at boosting Canada’s productivity.

Applicants are invited to propose a long-term research program with high potential to inform policy-making in this area. A range of research topics directly related to policies driving efficiency gains for Canadian companies is welcome, including, for example, technology adoption, innovation and commercialization, firm investment decisions, workforce skills gaps, competitive intensity, the regulatory environment, supply chain management, scalability, monetary and fiscal policy, and managing through economic disruptions, among others.

Applicants must demonstrate how their proposed program of research would contribute substantially to development of actionable public policies that strengthen Canada’s productivity.

Eligibility

Please review eligibility criteria for subject matter, applicants, institutions, co-directors and co-applicants, collaborators, and partner organizations outlined in the eligibility section of the SSHRC PIP G competition details. 

Funding Availability

Only one project will be funded in this competition; up to $6 million is available.

Maximum Project Value

SSHRC Contribution 

Policy Innovation Partnership Grants are valued at up to $400,000 per year over 15 years, up to a total of $6 million.

Institutional and Partner Organization Contributions

For the initial five-year grant period, applicants must include a plan to secure contributions from the host institution and partner organizations amounting to at least 50% of the budget requested from SSHRC. While contributions can be both cash and in-kind, at least 25% of the requested amount from SSHRC must be in cash. For example, if $2 million is requested from SSHRC for the first grant period, the plan must indicate that at least $500,000 in cash and $500,000 in in-kind contributions are being secured. As part of the impact reviews, the grant holder must demonstrate that this minimum requirement has been met.

Subsequent plans covering years 6-10 and years 11-15 will be required as part of the impact reviews.

For more information, see SSHRC’s Guidelines for Cash and In-Kind Contributions.

Indirect Costs

There are no indirect costs on the funding provided directly by SSHRC. 

Cash contributions that will flow to the University of Guelph will be subject to the Full Cost of Research Policy. Funds budgeted for indirect costs do not count toward the matching requirement. 

If you have questions about indirect costs, please see the Full Cost of Research - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). 

Project Duration

Up to 15 years. An impact review will be conducted every five years to assess the relevance of the partnership and determine whether funding will continue.

Special Notes

Open Access

In recognition of the specific objectives of this funding opportunity to produce findings that are valuable to and used by policy-makers, SSHRC requires that all peer-reviewed journal articles that result from this funding opportunity be immediately and freely available online to readers in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors, and the general public. This requirement is in advance of the renewal of the Tri-agency Open Access Policy on Publications, which will require immediate open access across all funding opportunities.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

Applicants are encouraged to consider equity, diversity and inclusion in research practice and research design, as applicable. See the Guide to Addressing Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Considerations in Partnership Grant Applications for resources and examples .

Data Management Plan

This funding opportunity requires a data management plan (DMP). A DMP describes how applicants will manage the data associated with a research project, both during the project and after its completion.

How to Apply

An Expression of Interest (EOI) is required and must be endorsed by the project director's ADR. EOIs are due to RSO by June 23, 2025. Additional review activities and corresponding deadlines will be communicated to those who submit EOIs.

Project directors must complete the application form in accordance with the accompanying application instructions. Applications must be submitted electronically by a research administrator in the Research Services Office.

Information For Co-applicants

If you need to meet a deadline set by the lead institution for this opportunity, please ensure that you provide the Research Services Office with at least five days in advance of the lead institution’s deadline to review the application, or your proposed component of the project. Please be in touch with the Research Services Office (contact information below) ahead of the deadline if it looks like it will be difficult for you to submit all the required documentation on time (i.e. budget, proposal, OR-5 Form).

Attachment(s)

Attachment	Size
SSHRC PIP G Expression of Interest	17.4 KB