eNewsletter of the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council

October 2023

Five years of research coordination

The Canada Research Coordinating Committee (CRCC) has released its first five-year progress report. Vision to Action: 2018-23 describes the progress made in the CRCC’s seven priority areas, as well as the committee’s experiences in becoming a valuable, senior strategic forum—including during the pandemic—for both government and the research community to anticipate and address challenges and opportunities in meeting the Canadian research enterprise’s changing needs. The CRCC is mandated to advance federal research priorities and coordination of policies and programs among the three federal research funding agencies and the Canada Foundation for Innovation. The report highlights initiatives the group has overseen to date to inspire and sustain an increasingly equitable, connected and innovative research enterprise in Canada.

Social Sciences and Humanities Research Network on Sustainable Agriculture in a Net-Zero Economy (October 20, 2023)

New Frontiers in Research Fund: Transformation competition

(notice of intent, October 24, 2023)

Partnership Grants—Stage 2 (by invitation only: October 29, 2023)

Connection Grants (November 1, 2023)

Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (November 1, 2023)

Robbins-Ollivier Award for Excellence in Equity: 2023 Competition

(nomination deadline: November 7, 2023)

Open Research Area 8th Call for Proposals (November 14, 2023)

Partnership Development Grants (November 15, 2023)

Imagining Canada’s Future Ideas Lab: Global Health and Wellness for the 21st Century—Stage 2 (by invitation only: November 22, 2023)

Canada Graduate Scholarships—Master’s Program (December 1, 2023)

New Frontiers in Research Fund: Exploration competition (full application, December 12, 2023)

Knowledge Synthesis Grants: Evolving Narratives of Cultures and Histories (December 14, 2023)

Partnership Engage Grants (December 15, 2023)

New Frontiers in Research Fund: Transformation competition (letter of intent, January 10, 2024)

Cree Métis archaeologist proves continent’s Indigenous history reaches back millennia further

Algoma University professor and archaeologist Paulette Steeves looked closely at the evidence from 169 North and South American archaeological sites. What the Canada Research Chair in Indigenous History—Truth and Reconciliation uncovered is upending previous, colonial histories. Steeves’ analysis places Indigenous Peoples in the western hemisphere at 40,000 to 200,000 years ago, a long way from previous estimates of around 13,000 years. Steeves, who has dedicated her career to seeking healing and reclaiming history for Indigenous Peoples, hopes her results can act as a step toward decolonization and reconciliation.

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Social sciences helping focus cancer research on patients’ needs

The multidisciplinary Rare Isotopes to Transform Cancer Therapy team is applying a six-year New Frontiers in Research Fund Transformation grant to using rare radioactive isotopes to create new, extremely targeted radiopharmaceuticals. The “smart drugs” would seek and destroy cancer cells more efficiently than radiation or chemotherapy, without damaging surrounding tissue. The approach offers particular hope for those whose cancer has metastasized. Project co-lead and chemistry researcher Caterina Ramogida says the work of the team’s social scientists will help resulting treatments respond to doctors’ and patients’ needs.

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