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College and Community Social Innovation Fund competition is now open

General news Professors Students

November 26, 2021

We are pleased to announce that the College and Community Social Innovation Fund (CCSIF) competition is now open. Managed by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) in collaboration with the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, CCSIF grants are intended to foster community innovation by connecting the talent, facilities and capabilities of Canada’s colleges and polytechnics with the research needs of community organizations.

CCSIF proposals should facilitate collaborative and innovative research that brings together researchers, students and partners to address challenges in community innovation in the social sciences, humanities, health sciences, natural sciences, and engineering research fields. The CCSIF program enables colleges to increase their capacity to work with communities, with the goal of developing partnerships that foster community innovation in areas such as the integration of vulnerable populations, community development, education and training, climate change, environmental degradation, as well as health and well-being.

The deadline for submitting applications is February 15, 2022 at 8:00 P.M. Eastern Time. Please read the program description for more details.

NSERC-Mitacs joint funding opportunity

NSERC and Mitacs have partnered once again to develop a joint application submission and review process for colleges seeking support for community innovation projects from both CCSIF and Mitacs Accelerate. Applicants are invited to include a request for additional support through Mitacs Accelerate internships as a component of the training of highly qualified personnel (HQP) in their CCSIF application, if relevant.

CCSIF/Canada Council for the Arts joint funding opportunity

For the first time, we are pleased to work with the Canada Council for the Arts to offer a joint application submission and review process for colleges partnering with arts organizations, groups or collectives that are eligible to receive Canada Council grants. Applicants may include a request for support from the Canada Council in their CCSIF application. This new initiative provides opportunities for arts organizations, groups or collectives to collaborate with other sectors to foster community innovation that supports more effective, fair and/or durable solutions to complex social problems, such as integrating vulnerable populations, community development, social justice, decolonization, climate change, environmental degradation as well as fostering health and well-being.

Please read the program description for more information about the Mitacs and Canada Council for the Arts joint funding opportunities.

Information webinars

Information webinars on the CCSIF program will be held at the dates and times listed below. Sessions will be available in English and French.

English webinars

Tuesday, December 7, 2021, 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. (EST)
Thursday, December 9, 2021, 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. (EST)

French webinar

Wednesday, December 8, 2021, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (EST)

If you have any questions please contact ccsif-fiscc@nserc-crsng.gc.ca.

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