Funding, News and Announcements

1. Data centre move/outages

NSERC and SSHRC are moving their data centre to a Shared Services Canada location. During the move, all systems and applications hosted on our data centre servers will be unavailable (for example all agency websites). The move is scheduled to begin at 4pm (ET) Friday, June 28 and end (i.e., all systems back online) by 8am (ET) on Tuesday July 2.

While we expect a smooth transition, we are preparing contingency plans in case of extended system outages after the move. Please see our webpages for more information on the data centre move and potential impacts on programs and activities. SSHRC: Data Centre move (sshrc-crsh.gc.ca)
 

2. The CRC annual reports

To respond to the feedback received, the program is currently reviewing its reporting requirements and examining alternatives to Voxco for hosting its reports. For that reason, the reporting requirements for the CRCP including the Institutional Annual Report, Chairholder Annual Report, Institutional Funding Support Report, and the EDI Progress Report will not be required for the 2023-24 reporting period.

Prior to finalizing these changes to the reporting requirements, TIPS will engage with institutions in the Fall of 2024. The results of the engagement will inform the revised reporting requirements. Further details on the engagement sessions will be shared in the summer.

Note that the Statement of Account (Form 300) will still be required for the EDI stipend and for  each Canada Research Chairs award account.
 

3. Sensitive Technology Research and Affiliations of Concern (STRAC)

On January 16, 2024, the Government of Canada announced new measures to protect Canadian research, including the Sensitive Technology Research and Affiliations of Concern (STRAC) policy.

The new STRAC policy will enhance Canada’s research security by ensuring grant applications submitted through a university or an affiliated research institution that involve research aiming to advance a sensitive technology research area will not be funded if any of the researchers involved in activities supported by the grant are affiliated with, or in receipt of funding or in-kind support, from a university, research institute or laboratory connected to military, national defence or state security entities of foreign state actors that pose a risk to Canada’s national security.

The webpage for the Tri-Agency Guidance on the Policy on Sensitive Technology Research and Affiliations of Concern (STRAC Policy), describes the granting agencies’ harmonized approach to implementing the STRAC Policy. The policy applies to all funding opportunities that launch as of May 1, 2024, including the CRCP. Detailed information, including an attestation form, procedures, resources, and frequently asked questions are now available. This webpage also includes Tri-Agency Guidance on the National Security Guidelines for Research Partnerships  (NSGRP), as well as a list of recommended research security resources. 

For any questions, please contact the Research Security team: Researchsecurity-securiterecherche@sshrc-crsh.gc.ca.
 

4. European Research Council (ERC) and the Tri-agency Institutional Programs Secretariat Implementation Arrangement

We are pleased to inform you that the Implementing Arrangement between the European Research Council (ERC) and the Tri-agency Institutional Programs Secretariat – housed at SSHRC – was renewed in March 2024. The Implementing Agreement provides opportunities for Canada Research Chairholders (CRCs) and Banting Postdoctoral researchers to engage in research collaborations with ERC grantees through a long-term visit (up to 12 months) or multiple short-term visits (e.g., for joint research projects). Collaborations should be in similar areas of scientific pursuit or on topics of mutual interest related to disciplines in the natural sciences, engineering, health sciences, humanities, or social sciences. CRCs and Banting researchers can use this opportunity to formalize collaborations with their ERC counterparts, to advance their mutual research objectives. 

CRCs and Banting researchers taking part in the initiative would continue to receive their grants according to the terms and conditions of the award. They would also be allowed to use their funding to collaborate with ERC-supported teams, including covering travel expenses. No new or additional funding is provided for this initiative. Additional information on this initiative will be sent in the coming weeks.
 

5. Audit of the Implementation of the 2019 Addendum to the 2006 Canadian Human Rights Settlement Agreement

As required by the 2019 Addendum to the 2006 Canadian Human Rights Settlement Agreement an audit assessing the Implementation of the addendum was completed and a report was published in the Fall of 2023. The report showed that the Program has made significant progress in the implementation of the 2019 Addendum and the 2021 Settlement Agreement requirements. As of December 31, 2022, the Program had completed 67 of 85 (79%) of the requirements. The full report can be found here.