PRESIDENT’S SSHRC RESEARCH FUND
GUIDELINES FOR APPLICANTS
Deadlines: June 1st & November 1st
The President's SSHRC Research Grants Program supports small-scale preliminary research projects in
SSHRC relevant disciplines, i.e. the social sciences, humanities and fine arts. This support is expected to
aide in building research capacity and the development of a competitive application in SSHRC related
fields.
The President's SSHRC Research Fund is financed from an annual grant made to the President by the
Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) in general support of research and scholarly
work in the social sciences, humanities and fine arts at the University of Saskatchewan. The size of this
annual grant is based on the University's performance in the Council's research grants programs and the
number of University faculty members who are eligible for SSHRC funding. In addition to this grant, TriCouncil policy allows unspent SSHRC funds from prior years to be retained by the university. These
unspent funds may be transferred to a SSHRC General Research Fund. The President has delegated the
responsibility for the administration of these residual funds to the Vice-President Research to support
the President's SSHRC Research Fund Program.
Applications are subject to competitive adjudication by members of the President’s SSHRC Committee.
An interdisciplinary committee, appointed by the Office of the Vice-President Research, is comprised of
University of Saskatchewan faculty members in various SSHRC-related disciplines. The committee Chair
is the current University of Saskatchewan SSHRC Leader, appointed by the Vice-President Research.
Research Services provides administrative support for the committee.
APPLICATION AND DEADLINES
Competitions are held twice a year on June 1st and November 1st (or the next working day when these
dates occur on a weekend or holiday). Late and incomplete applications will not be considered.
All requests must be made by completing the appropriate pdf-fillable form. Text must not exceed the
maximum space identified for each section. To download the application form please go to:
http://www.usask.ca/research/research_services/internal_funding_opps.php#PresidentsSSHRCResearc
hFund
One original signed and completed form must be submitted to Research Services prior to the
competition deadline. No electronic copy is required. Please forward to: President’s SSHRC
Committee, c/o Research Services, 110 Gymnasium Place
AMOUNT OF AWARD
As the demand for funds normally exceeds the funds available, not all meritorious proposals can be
supported. The maximum level of support is $7,000, including up to a maximum of $1,000 for
conference travel expenses.
ELIGIBILITY
All disciplines, thematic areas, and approaches are eligible for consideration, and proposals are welcome
from all subject areas eligible for funding at SSHRC. Please note the recent modifications to the SSHRC
guidelines for subject matter eligibility. Researchers seeking support for health-related social sciences
and humanities research should review SSHRC’s eligibility guidelines: http://www.sshrc.ca/site/applydemande/background-renseignements/selecting_agency-choisir_organisme_subventionnaire-eng.aspx
ELIGIBLE: Full-time University of Saskatchewan faculty members whose research or scholarly work falls
within the disciplines supported by SSHRC, i.e. the social sciences, humanities and fine arts; Full-time
faculty members of St. Thomas More College may apply jointly with a University faculty member for
support of a project of direct interest to the research of the University faculty member; University of
Saskatchewan Professional Librarians; University of Saskatchewan term appointees who at the time of
receiving a President’s SSHRC have a minimum of six months remaining in their current contracts.
Ineligible: Postdoctoral Fellows. Applicants must be eligible under SSHRC’s criteria. Eligibility criteria
specific to each funding opportunity are detailed in the individual descriptions. Applicants may apply for
and hold, as a principal applicant, only one SSHRC grant of the same type at a time, please refer to
SSHRC’s regulations regarding multiple applications for more information: http://www.sshrccrsh.gc.ca/funding-financement/policies-politiques/multiple_apps-demandes_multiples-eng.aspx
Recipients may receive President’s SSHRC funding on a yearly basis provided an application was
submitted to SSHRC or a national funding agency in SSHRC relevant disciplines in the previous year.
Recipients can be awarded only one President’s SSHRC grant per competition year. The Committee will
not entertain more than one application in a competition year from the same individual.
New – In the interest of funding as many requests as possible, a higher priority will be given to new
applicants. If the applicant has been awarded support in the past 2 years, these requests will be ranked
as lower priority.
NATURE OF RESEARCH PROJECTS SUPPORTED
The President’s SSHRC Fund provides interim support to faculty for research designed to lead towards
the development of a SSHRC proposal or an application to another national agency in the social
sciences, humanities or fine arts.
EVALUATION CRITERIA
 The quality and originality of the proposed research;
 The research achievements of the applicant (publications and training of HQP);
 The degree to which this funding will enable the applicant to position his or her research for a
successful SSHRC application or an application to another national agency in the social
sciences, humanities or fine arts;
University of Saskatchewan –President’s SSHRC Fund Guidelines (revised May 2012 – nb)
2
 The completeness and clarity of the application;
 New - to align with SSHRC’s adjudication regarding Knowledge Mobilization, there will be
more weight to the “importance, originality and anticipated contribution to knowledge of the
proposed research” section than in previous competitions.
ELIGIBLE AND INELIGIBLE EXPENSES
The Committee will consider all expenditures for research activities fully justified and appropriate to a
given discipline, subject to the use of grant funding listed below and the eligible expenditures listed in
the
Tri-Agency
Financial
Administration
Guide:
http://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ProfessorsProfesseurs/FinancialAdminGuide-GuideAdminFinancier/FundsUse-UtilisationSubventions_eng.asp
Further President’s SSHRC restrictions on use of funding:
 Travel to attend conferences is eligible up to a maximum of $1,000
 Literature search expenses are eligible only if part of a larger project.
 Specialized Computing software expenses are only eligible if under $500.00 and justified as
required for project.
 For Personnel costs, please use the current University rate of pay and include non-discretionary
benefits (Canada Pension Plan, Workers’ Compensation, Employment Insurance, Vacation).
Student
current
rates
are
available
from
Human
Resources
at
http://www.usask.ca/hrd/docs/student_rates.php Release time stipends (RTS) are not eligible.
 Research conducted under contract for a public or private agency or firm is not eligible
 Collection or preparation of material primarily intended for personal classroom needs or
teaching purposes is not eligible.
 Purchase of equipment will be considered only if strong justification is demonstrated and
funding is not available from other sources. Generally, the purchase of computers is not an
allowable expense. All equipment purchased through a President's SSHRC Research Grant
remains the property of the University. Purchase of equipment normally provided by a
University unit or through University allocations for the purpose of capital equipment is not
eligible.
CONDITIONS OF AWARD
Recipients are required to submit a SSHRC application or to another national agency in the social
sciences, humanities or fine arts as stated in the original President’s SSHRC proposal. Those not meeting
the conditions of the award will not be eligible to apply to future President’s SSHRC competitions.
Acknowledgement of support from the Fund should be given in any resulting publications.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF AWARDS
Applicants will be advised of results within 6 weeks after the deadline. If awarded, funds will be available
for use immediately following the award and the establishment of a research fund. If your research
requires human ethics, animal care and/or biohazard approval, the financial fund will not be established
until Research Services has been notified the required approvals are in place.
University of Saskatchewan –President’s SSHRC Fund Guidelines (revised May 2012 – nb)
3
TERM
The term of the award is 18 months with a start date of June 1st or November 1st. Any unused funds at
the end of the term of the award will be returned. Arrangements may be made to extend the term of
the grant. Requests for extensions must be made in writing to Research Services at least one month
prior to the end-date of the grant, citing the reasons for the delay in completing the research and the
anticipated date of completion. Extensions do not normally exceed 6 months.
OVER EXPENDITURES
Over expenditures of grants are not permitted and will become the recipient’s personal liability.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Nicole Benning, Grants Specialist
Research Services - University of Saskatchewan
Telephone: (306) 966-8370
Email: nicole.benning@usask.ca
University of Saskatchewan –President’s SSHRC Fund Guidelines (revised May 2012 – nb)
4