call for applications - sshrc destination horizon

sshrc has launched a new funding opportunity: destination horizon grants.  these grants are intended to support sshrc-eligible researchers whose primary affiliation is with an eligible canadian post-secondary institution, to build capacity, foster existing partnerships, and further develop networks and/or consortia with partners in the european union and other “associated countries”, with the ultimate goal of applying to horizon europe (he)—pillar ii calls with a collaborative proposal.  applications for the destination horizon grants are submitted on the sshrc convergence portal. 

all he pillar ii projects are implemented by an interdisciplinary consortium (partnership of organizations across different nations, which must include at least 3 partners (beyond canada, this must include a partner from at least one eu member state).  most he research consortia consist of 10-20 partners, and have one lead institution.

consortium partners can be legal entities engaging in breakthrough research, including

• academics
• industrial researchers
• small- to medium-sized enterprises
• non-profit and charity sector entities
• other research and innovation actors in canada

the purpose of this initiative is to assist canadian researchers in making the connections and developing the networks needed to successfully join a research consortium in preparation to apply to horizon europe.

funding:  sshrc will provide up to $15,000 for one year; 100% matching cash funds is required, for a total maximum funding of $30,000.  matching funds will be provided through the internal vpri international research partnership award mechanism for any applications selected and funded by sshrc. 

funds may be used for connection-type activities, including but not limited to:

• travel expenses for pi, co-investigators and collaborators (travel to europe or to canada)
• workshops or conferences
• networking
• proposal development
• team-building consultants

funds may not be used to conduct actual research activities.

eligibility & selection:  there are no merit criteria for selection.  all applications deemed eligible will be entered into a randomized selection process to determine awards. an eligible application that is not randomly selected for an award may be re-submitted for a future competition.

to be eligible for this funding opportunity, applicants must demonstrate:

• their eligible affiliation and primary affiliation in the social sciences or humanities;
• their readiness to further develop networks and/or consortia with eu and other associated countries’ researchers, with the ultimate goal of applying to a horizon europe—pillar ii call;
• eligible budget requests; and
• 100% matching cash contributions from the host institution.

sshrc’s competition is now open, with three deadlines in 2025 - the largest number of awards will be made from the first intake in early january, so it is strongly encouraged to submit for that intake.  any application that is submitted but not selected by sshrc may be re-submitted for the next round.

institutional selection and submission:  each post-secondary institution may only submit up to three destination horizon grant applications for a given deadline.  if more than 3 eligible applications are received for a given deadline, the office of the vpri will apply the same two-stage random selection process to select the applications that will be submitted.  therefore, a strict internal deadline will be treated as an expression of interest - at a minimum, a draft of the program description must be received by that date.  eois received after the eoi/internal deadline will not be considered for that round, but may be considered for the following round.  please submit a copy of the program description directly to either nicole westlund stewart or jill sherman.  if required, the selection process will take place within 24 hours and you will be notified asap if you can proceed to complete the application.

applications are submitted on the convergence portal.  for the purpose of this application, please note that lakehead is the "host" organization, and only one letter of support (from the vpri) is required.  (ignore the plural "letters" of support indicated in the application portal).

this funding opportunity follows the agreement signed by the government of canada and the european commission giving canada status as an "associated country" status (pillar ii only) and enables canadians to participate in horizon europe funding.

for examples of past and current he calls for proposals involving a ssh component, please click here.   while some he calls are currently open, the 2025 and the 2026-27 work plans are expected to be released in early 2025 (detailing new calls 2025-2027), with increased opportunities for ssh participation. 

for examples of he funded projects with an ssh component, please click here.

for questions or assistance, please contact jill sherman at intl.research@lakeheadu.ca or nicole westlund stewart, sshrc.research@lakeheadu.ca.