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SSHRC Destination Horizon

Sponsor/agency: SSHRC

Program: Destination Horizon

*Please note there is a mandatory internal NOI step for this opportunity as Ontario Tech can submit a maximum of 3 applications. 


Description:

SSHRC has launched a new funding opportunity called the Destination Horizon Grants. Valued at $15,000 for one year, these grants are intended to support researchers affiliated with eligible Canadian postsecondary institutions to build capacity, foster existing partnerships, and further develop networks and/or consortia with European Union and other “associated countries” researchers, with the ultimate goal of applying to Horizon Europe—Pillar II calls for proposals.


This funding opportunity follows the agreement signed by the Government of Canada and the European Commission allowing for increased Canadian participation in Horizon Europe under Pillar 2. This agreement provides Canadians with greater access to Horizon Europe. 


Destination Horizon Grants proposals are expected to respond to the objectives of the Research Partnerships program and must be led by an applicant whose main area of research is in a social sciences and humanities discipline, and the proposed research must involve disciplines, thematic areas, approaches or subject areas eligible for SSHRC funding and align with SSHRC subject matter eligibility. 


Destination Horizon Grants are not intended to support implementation of Horizon Europe projects. Instead, the grants support activities between researchers that facilitate:

  • disciplinary and/or interdisciplinary exchanges;
  • scholarly exchanges;
  • intersectoral exchanges between academic researchers and practitioners from the public, private and/or not-for-profit sectors; and/or
  • international research collaboration and scholarly exchanges between researchers affiliated with Canadian postsecondary institutions and researchers, students and non-academic partners from the EU and other associated countries.

Program Summary 


Deadlines: September 2, 2025: Mandatory ORS Notice of Intent (NOI) deadline

September 15, 2025: Mandatory ORS internal administrative review deadline. Please submit the complete application and signed RGA form 

September 22, 2025: External SSHRC deadline for full application. Application must be submitted by 9 a.m. (ET) in the Convergence Portal

Value: Up to $15,000
100% cash match required from host institution

Indirect Costs: N/A

Duration: 1 year

How to Apply:

  1. Notify Amber Zapletal of your intent to apply.
  2. Review the program guidelines, including the eligibility requirements.
  3. Discuss your intent to apply with your Faculty Dean and secure required cash matching contributions (see below for details).
  4. Submit internal NOI form signed by your Dean by September 2, 2025
  5. Applicants will be notified by September 5 whether they have been selected to move forward to the national competition.
  6. Submit application and RGA form signed by your Dean to your grant officer by September 15 for administrative review.
  7. Prepare and submit an application through the Convergence Portal following the application instructions. 

Internal Ontario Tech Selection Process

Since Ontario Tech can only submit three applications per deadline to SSHRC, we are implementing a mandatory internal Notice of Intent step to assess potential applicants’ eligibility for the program and, if necessary, select three applications to submit to the national competition. A Grants Officer will review submitted NOIs for program eligibility and if more than three eligible applications are submitted, ORS will randomly select the three applications to move forward to the national competition (in line with SSHRC’s selection process for this program). If SSHRC continues this pilot program in 2026, any eligible applicants not selected to move forward in the current round will be given priority to apply in the subsequent round. 


Please complete the attached Notice of Intent form, including the Dean’s signature to show approval of faculty cash matching contributions, and submit to Amber Zapletal by September 2, 2025

Eligibility 

Subject Matter

Most SSHRC funding is awarded through open competitions. Proposals can involve any disciplines, thematic areas, approaches or subject areas eligible for SSHRC funding. See the guidelines on subject matter eligibility for more information.

Projects whose primary objective is to conduct research activities (e.g., literature reviews, field work, data collection, interviews) are not eligible for funding under this funding opportunity.

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.

Applicant 

Applications can be submitted by an individual researcher or a team of researchers (consisting of one applicant and one or more co-applicants and/or collaborators).

Applicants must be affiliated with a Canadian postsecondary institution that holds institutional eligibility at the time of application. Researchers who maintain an affiliation with a Canadian institution that holds institutional eligibility, but whose primary affiliation is with a non-Canadian postsecondary institution, are not eligible for applicant status.

Applicants who have received a SSHRC grant of any type but have failed to submit an achievement report by the deadline specified in their Notice of Award are not eligible to apply for another SSHRC grant until they have submitted the report.

Postdoctoral researchers and students are not eligible for applicant or co-applicant status for a Destination Horizon Grant.

Federal scientists affiliated with a Canadian postsecondary institution must demonstrate that their proposed research or research-related activity is not related to either the mandate of their employer or the normal duties for which they receive payment from that employer.

If the proposal falls within the mandate of the federal government and the research or research-related activity is performed in government facilities, funding can only be allocated for student salaries, stipends and travel costs.

Co-Applicant

Individuals are eligible to be co-applicants if they are 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.

Additional Information 

Multiple applications and holding multiple awards

Individuals can, as an applicant, only hold one Destination Horizon Grant. There is no limit to how many competitions an individual, as an applicant, may apply to.

A postsecondary institution may only submit up to three Destination Horizon Grant applications for a given deadline.

Resources