Policy Innovation Partnership Grants (PIPG) 2025

Eligibility

Applications must be submitted by an eligible Canadian postsecondary institution. The project director must be affiliated with the host institution (the applicant) and prepares the application on behalf of the host institution and the formal partnership. Postdoctoral researchers and students enrolled in a program of study are not eligible to apply as project directors.

Co-directors and co-applicants may be individuals formally affiliated with any of the following:

• Canadian: eligible postsecondary institution; not-for-profit organization; philanthropic foundation; think tank; or municipal, territorial or provincial government.
• International: postsecondary institution.

Postdoctoral researchers and students enrolled in a program of study are not eligible to apply as project directors. Postdoctoral researchers who are affiliated with a postsecondary institution are eligible to be co-directors or co-applicants.

Collaborators: Any individual who makes a significant contribution to the research program is eligible to be a collaborator. Collaborators do not need to be affiliated with an eligible Canadian postsecondary institution. Individuals from the private sector or federal government can participate only as collaborators.

Partner organizations: At least one partner organization must be a Canadian federal government department. Other partner organizations can be Canadian or international institutions or organizations (public, private, not-for-profit) of any type, including provincial or municipal government departments.

Summary

The goal of this pilot funding opportunity is to support a partnership between a postsecondary research entity and one or more federal government departments to establish a long-term research program focusing on specific topics in an area of importance to Canada and public decision-makers. The partnership is expected to be based within an established research entity at a Canadian postsecondary institution (e.g., institute, centre, lab, hub, observatory, academic department, etc.) that has a demonstrated track record in the target area. As the partnership is expected to strengthen Canadian policy-making in the target area, applicants must partner with at least one Canadian federal government department.

The successful partnership is expected to advance research, capacity, and policy development in the target area by:

• engaging one or more federal government departments to identify and address public policy needs;
• conducting long-term research that generates knowledge with the potential to inform federal policy-making;
• working with, adapting and/or developing comprehensive datasets relevant to the needs of the public policy community and future researchers;
• improving access and use of research knowledge within Canada’s policy-making communities; and
• supporting high-quality training experiences for students and/or postdoctoral researchers.

Target area 2025: Improving Canada’s Productivity

Productivity is foundational to a country’s long-term economic growth and prosperity. When productivity is growing rapidly, it benefits businesses, workers and consumers alike. However, according to the Bank of Canada’s Senior Deputy Governor in March 2024, “Canada has seen no productivity growth in recent years,” and there are “clear areas for improvement” in the factors driving productivity.
To address this timely issue, this pilot funding opportunity targets research that supports and informs public policy aimed at boosting Canada’s productivity.

Applicants are invited to propose a long-term research program with high potential to inform policy-making in this area. A range of research topics directly related to policies driving efficiency gains for Canadian companies is welcome, including, for example, technology adoption, innovation and commercialization, firm investment decisions, workforce skills gaps, competitive intensity, the regulatory environment, supply chain management, scalability, monetary and fiscal policy, and managing through economic disruptions, among others.

Applicants must demonstrate how their proposed program of research would contribute substantially to development of actionable public policies that strengthen Canada’s productivity.

This competition uses the tri-agency Convergence Portal and requires use of the Tri-agency CV (TCV). You are strongly encouraged to invite participants to the application and have them complete their TCVs early in the application process to avoid unnecessary delays.

Institutional and partner organization contributions

For the initial five-year grant period, applicants must include a plan to secure contributions from the host institution and partner organizations amounting to at least 50% of the budget requested from SSHRC. While contributions can be both cash and in-kind, at least 25% of the requested amount from SSHRC must be in cash. For example, if $2 million is requested from SSHRC for the first grant period, the plan must indicate that at least $500,000 in cash and $500,000 in in-kind contributions are being secured. As part of the impact reviews, the grant holder must demonstrate that this minimum requirement has been met. Subsequent plans covering years six to 10 and 11 to 15 will be required as part of the impact reviews. For more information, see SSHRC’s Guidelines for Cash and In-Kind Contributions.

Submission Process

Applicants are asked to email an internal Notice of Intent (iNOI) to Research Services to provide a brief overview of the research program and help identify which internal staff/resources might best offer support with application development. Please complete the iNOI template and email to Katie Cupello (katie.cupello@ucalgary.ca) by May 1, 2025.

TIMELINE

• Activity: Submit internal Notice of Intent (iNOI) to Research Services via email to katie.cupello@ucalgary.ca
  • Use the iNOI template

              Deadline: May 1, 2025 by 9:00 a.m.

• Activity: Submit draft application to Research Services for SUPPORT and Faculty review

              Deadline: July 21, 2025

• Activity: Review of draft application by SUPPORT 

              Deadline: July 21–August 6 (TBD)

• Activity: Submit draft UCalgary (host) Letter of Engagement to Research Services 

              Deadline: August 20, 2025 by 9:00 a.m.

• Activity: Submit final UCalgary (host) Letter of Engagement to Research Services

              Deadline: August 27, 2025 by 9:00 a.m.

• Activity: Complete application (including all partner/participant information) and approvals in the Research Management System (RMS) due to Research Services 
  • *Please do not submit the application in the Convergence Portal until Research Services has completed its review of the application. Submission in the portal locks the Participants section of the application, which prevents any changes to the information and/or attachments.
  • The complete application and RMS approvals must be submitted to Research Services by September 3, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. Please use the “Policy Innovation Partnership Grants 2025” funding opportunity and be sure to select 'Submitted for approval' (under Save & Progress) in RMS in good time to allow for approvals from your Department Head and/or ADR prior to the Research Services internal deadline. Consult your department and faculty for more information on their approval processes and timelines.
  • Research Services will review the final application and ensure submission to the agency by the deadline of September 10, 2025.

              Deadline: September 3, 2025 by 9:00 a.m.

• Activity: Research Services submits final application to SSHRC 

              Deadline: September 10, 2025 by 6:00 p.m. (MT)

Additional information will be provided as details are confirmed.

Overhead

Not applicable.

Application deadlines

RSO final internal review deadline

Program application deadline

NOTE: Consult your Faculty Associate Dean (Research) (ADR) regarding Faculty-specific deadlines and submission processes.

Principal Investigators: Complete a Research Management System (RMS) record, including a copy of your complete application, and submit this for approvals in RMS.

Postdocs, students, and trainees: For fellowships and externally-sponsored research training awards or opportunities, you must complete the Research Funding Application Approval (RFAA) Trainee PDF form, and submit it, along with a complete copy of the application, to Research Services at rsotrainee@ucalgary.ca. Trainees should not use RMS at this time.

Approvals: The University of Calgary requires that all funding applications be approved prior to submission. Approval requires signatures via either RMS or the RFAA Trainee form, in the following order:

• Principal Investigator
• Department Head
• Faculty ADR/Dean
• Research Services (on behalf of the Vice-President Research)

Read the Meaning of Grant Signatures policy to understand what your approval means. Please see the agency guidelines for details about which signatures are required on your application, as it may differ from internal requirements.

Late submissions: Late submissions will only be accepted in cases of medical or family emergencies, or other exceptional circumstances. If you submit your RMS record to Research Services after the internal deadline has passed, you must secure additional approvals. Please read: Late Applications Process.

For UCalgary researchers participating on applications led elsewhere: If the University of Calgary is to be named as a partner organization, the co-applicant from the University of Calgary is encouraged to initiate discussions with their Faculty and contact Research Services via email to katie.cupello@ucalgary.ca by August 1, 2025. Research Services will provide information on the invitation process and assist with fulfilling partner requirements. 

RESOURCES  

Reminder: The sooner the researcher engages with Research Services, the more help we can be! 

 Contact the following Research Service units for support with: 

Projects Involving Indigenous Research: 

Support with incorporating wise practices in Indigenous research, community engagement, and Indigenous data management is available through the Indigenous Research Support Team (IRST). 

Applicants can reach out by email to IRST at IRST@ucalgary.ca in advance of the RSO internal deadline. For more information about IRST, please visit the IRST webpage. 

Knowledge Mobilization, Research Impact Assessment, DORA:  
Support for knowledge mobilization/engagement/translation, community partnerships, research impact, responsible research assessment (DORA), and open science, is available through the Knowledge to Impact team.  

Applicants can reach out by email to the KI team at knowledge.impact@ucalgary.ca.  
For more information and access to resource archives, please visit the KI team webpage. 

Research Data Management: 

For information on research data management plans, processes, or best practices for your research program, please contact research.data@ucalgary.ca.    

EDI in Research: 

RSO can provide resources and support to research teams on the integration of equitable and inclusive practices in research design and research practice.  

Contact edi.rso@ucalgary.ca for more information. 

Research Security: 

The Research Security Division is available to ensure researchers adhere to research security guidelines and policies, including the National Security Guidelines for Research Partnerships (NSGRP) and the policy on Sensitive Technology Research and Affiliations of Concern (STRAC). 

Visit the Research Security website to learn more or contact researchsecurity@ucalgary.ca.  

Pre-Award Submissions: 

RMS: Creating a Pre-Award Application