Partnership-based research programs support collaborative research across disciplines, institutions and sectors. Fostering partnerships, collaboration and engagement is a strategic objective within our Institutional Strategic Research Plan. This page outlines key programs and supports available from the Research Services Office (RSO) for researchers developing partnership-based research programs in the social sciences and humanities.
The Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) offers a suite of partnership funding programs that support research, research training and knowledge mobilization activities for new and existing partnerships. Partner organizations support the activities of the partnership by sharing in intellectual leadership or providing expertise, and are expected to provide cash and/or in-kind contributions.
Connection Grants
Connection Grants support events and outreach activities geared toward short-term, targeted knowledge mobilization initiatives.
Value: $7,000 to $25,000 over one year
Deadlines: February 1, May 1 and August 1, and November 1
Partnership Engage Grants
Partnership Engage Grants provide short-term and timely support to partnerships between a postsecondary-based researcher and a single partner organization from the public, private or non-profit sector.
Value: $7,000 to $25,000 over one year
Deadlines: March 15 and June 15, September 15, December 15
Partnership DevelopmentGrants
Partnership Development Grants (PDG) provide support to foster new research and/or related activities with new and/or existing partners; and to design and test new partnership approaches for research and/or related activities.
Value: $75,000 to $200,000 over one to three years
Deadline: November 15
Partnership Grants
Partnership Grants (PG) provide support to new or existing formal partnerships for initiatives that advance research, research training and/or knowledge mobilization in the social sciences and humanities.
Value: $500,000 to $2.5 million over four to seven years
Deadline (Stage 1): February 15
In 2018, the Division of the Vice President, Research & Innovation (VPRI) launched the Community Partnership Research Program, a pilot program to support Community Partnership Research Program, jointly funded by the University and the Connaught Fund. This initiative is intended to help create new collaborative research partnerships, or nurture early stage partnerships, between the University and community partners.
The Office of the Vice President, International (OVPI) provides up to $5,000 in funding to support University of Toronto (U of T) applicants for the SSHRC Connection Grants (CG). Details about this OVPI initiative are posted on the Connections Grant funding opportunity page.
Information about internal and external funding opportunities are posted and circulated through Research Alerts. Visit the U of T Funding Opportunities Database to view current funding opportunities.
The Research Funding Manager (RFM) in the RSO is the main U of T contact for submission of the proposal and managing SSHRC funds. The RFM provides the final institutional review of the proposal (for completion, consistency and compliance) before submission to the funding agency. The RFM is available for consultation on issues related to submission of the proposal, including administrative requirements, eligibility queries and compliance with agency and institutional guidelines. The RFM offers expertise on budget administration, including the flow of funds between institutions and individuals.
The Partnership Development Officer (PDO) in RSO is available for early stage planning and consultation on partnership development opportunities and strategies. The PDO provides, in collaboration with divisional research facilitators, support and advice throughout proposal planning and development, including advice on building partnerships; the content, structure and preparation of application modules; and feedback on draft proposals.
For SSHRC Partnership Grants (Stage 1 and Stage 2), RSO coordinates a confidential internal peer review by a panel of UofT faculty members, mirroring the SSHRC committee adjudication process.
RSO’s Editorial and Proposal Development Officers (EPDOs) provide detailed editorial reviews of PDG and PG proposals, including review of structure and organization, grammar and spelling, consistency, clarity and concision.
You can find details on the timelines for internal reviews and approvals of applications in the U of T Funding Opportunities Database.
U of T’s Major Research Project Management (MRPM) program provides funding to enhance the competitiveness of U of T-led research funding applications, and to ensure the effective administrative oversight of the project. Stream 1 funding (up to $10K) supports proposal development for submissions at the full proposal stage. Stream 2 funding (up to $100K) supports the administration of large, complex research projects, normally as compensation for a qualified Project Manager.
- Consult on and support research development
- Deliver workshops and information sessions
- Provide internal peer-review of draft PG proposals
- Conduct mock interviews
- Provide editorial review of PDG and PG proposals
- Review, approve, and manage grant proposals and awards
