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Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) Knowledge Synthesis Grants – Shifting Dynamics of Privilege and Marginalization

Research Admin Offices:

  • ROADS
  • HRS

Funding Type:

Grant

Opportunity Type:

  • Grant

Value:

Knowledge Synthesis Grants are valued at $30,000 for one year. Knowledge mobilization activities (that is, conference presentations and outreach activities) can take place throughout the year. All synthesis reports must be completed by October 2023 prior to the virtual forum. Up to 30 grants may be awarded, of which up to 7 will be awarded to genomics-related Knowledge Synthesis Grants.

Disciplines:

  • DeGroote School of Business
  • Faculty of Engineering
  • Faculty of Humanities
  • Faculty of Science
  • Faculty of Social Sciences
  • Health Sciences

Sponsors:

Deadlines:

Internal Deadline:

December 8, 2022

Sponsor Deadline:

December 15, 2022

Additional Dates:

  • ROADS NOI - ASAP -
  • ROADS - Draft Application - November 24, 2022
  • ROADS - Final Application - December 8, 2022

Description:

SSHRC is pleased to launch a Knowledge Synthesis Grants competition to mobilize, examine and synthesize social sciences and humanities research on the topic of shifting dynamics of privilege and marginalization. Genome Canada has joined SSHRC as a funding partner for this call and is seeking social sciences and humanities insights on issues related to genomics. The outcome of this knowledge synthesis grant will help to inform policy and decision-making across sectors and help to ensure a cohesive, equitable and just Canadian society.

Shifting Dynamics of Privilege and Marginalization 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 is likely to face in an evolving global context over the coming decades. All the challenges cross multiple sectors and research disciplines and require broad collaboration to address. This Knowledge Synthesis Grants funding opportunity is informed and shaped by cross-sectoral and diverse perspectives, including subject matter experts, policy leaders and community leaders and Genome Canada’s fall 2021 Future of Genomics dialogue series.

In the context of increasing global uncertainty and social volatility, the social, political, cultural, and economic fabric of Canadian society is experiencing rapid, significant and diverse transformations. Concurrently, significant, and rapid technological developments in artificial intelligence (AI) and quantum technologies, in genomics sciences, and in emerging bio digital convergence pose pressing and important questions about equity, diversity and inclusion, and about the possible combination of some of these technologies and their impacts on society, economies and ecosystems.

SSHRC, with additional funding from Genome Canada to support key issues related to genomics, is launching this Knowledge Synthesis Grants funding opportunity to foster a deeper understanding of the state of knowledge about the shifting dynamics of privilege and marginalization brought about by a variety of factors, such as old and recent socio-political events; new technologies, including genomics; the new mis/information age; and the COVID-19 pandemic. All have contributed to a more volatile and uncertain future. The resulting syntheses will identify roles that the academic, public, private and not-for-profit sectors could play in promoting a more cohesive and equitable environment and can inform the development of effective tools and technologies, robust policies, and sustainable practices required to support the path toward a prosperous and equitable future for all Canadians.

Additional Program Information:

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:
• 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.
• Identify the most promising policies and practices related to the theme.
• Research data
• Assess the quality, accuracy and rigour (i.e., methodological approaches) of current work in the field.
• Identify strengths and gaps in the quantitative and qualitative data available.
• Knowledge mobilization
• Engage cross-sectoral stakeholders (academic, public, private and not-for-profit sectors) and/or First Nations, Métis and Inuit rights-holders throughout the project to mobilize knowledge related to promising policies and practices.
• 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 demonstrate how the research has the potential to inform policy issues in Canada.
This Knowledge Synthesis Grant funding opportunity is guided by the following perspectives:
• Drawing on domestic, international and/or cross-sectoral evidence, what can Canadian researchers tell us about these issues?
• How might the findings guide public policy, practice and research agendas for Canada and the world in the immediate and long term?

By applying for this funding opportunity, successful applicants consent to SSHRC 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.

Eligibility:

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 produced over the past 10 years.
In support of the objectives above, 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 do the following:
• Complete a synthesis report (maximum 40 pages) and two-page evidence brief within six months of receiving the grant.
• Participate in a virtual kick-off webinar (tentatively scheduled for May 2023)
• Participate in a virtual knowledge mobilization forum six months after the grant has been awarded (tentatively scheduled for November 2023) to share research findings with community practitioners and knowledge users in various sectors. Further details on 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 webpage or through an institutional repository—and to include the link in their evidence brief. SSHRC and Genome Canada will make all evidence briefs publicly available on their websites. See examples of final reports and evidence briefs produced through a recent Knowledge Synthesis Grants funding opportunity for additional guidance.

Application/Nomination Process:

If you intend to submit an application, please contact Amanda Graveline, Senior Advisor, Development, ROADS as soon as possible.
• ROADS will forward applications to SSHRC on behalf of applicants by 4:30 p.m. on December 15, 2022.
• Results to be announced March 2023.

Resources:

Additional Details.

Contact:

Amanda Graveline