Updated October 2025
Purpose
The SSHRC Insight Planning Fund provides up to $1500 toward research assistant support for full-time continuing UTM-appointed faculty who are developing proposals for the next available SSHRC Insight Grant competition. This funding opportunity is limited to those who plan to apply in Stream B, i.e., with a budget over $125,000. By applying for and accepting this funding, the applicant commits to submit an application in Stream B to the next SSHRC Insight Grant competition.
This funding program aligns with the OVPRI’s strategic goal of improving participation rates in Tri-council funding programs in the social sciences and humanities, and the University’s goal of increasing its market-share of Tri-council funding. With this program we hope to facilitate more applications, and, in turn, more external funding for ambitious research programs in the social sciences and humanities.
We recognize that preparing proposals and budgets for these funding competitions can be time-consuming, and this funding is intended to provide additional support to reduce the demands upon applicants.
NB: This is a pilot program that will be re-evaluated after the current cycle.
Eligibility Guidelines
Applicants must hold a full-time, continuing primary faculty appointment at UTM and must be actively preparing an application for the next available SSHRC Insight Grant competition.
NB: Meeting the eligibility criteria does not guarantee that one will receive funding.
Application Format and Submission Deadline
Applications will include the following:
- a cover sheet that includes applicant’s name, department, email, appointment status, and CC/CFC account number
- an executive summary (150-250 words) of the project for which the applicant will be seeking funding, including a working title, a brief description, a list of team members (if applicable), and a proposed end-date for the grant
- a current c.v.
Applications will be accepted until the final week of June each year, although earlier submission is strongly encouraged. Please submit application materials as a single PDF file to funding.ovpri.utm@utoronto.ca, with the subject line “SSHRC Insight Grant Planning Fund Application”. The application file name should be: SIGPF Application_Applicant’s Last Name_Applicant’s First Name.
Adjudication Process
Applications will be reviewed by OVPRI’s senior leadership team. Funding will be awarded as capacity allows.
Conditions
Funding recipients must commit to:
- apply as a primary applicant in Stream B (for grant budgets greater than $125,000) in the next available SSHRC Insight Grant competition
- submit their grant application to the UTM OVPRI for internal editorial review and/or internal peer review, which requires submitting 2-4 weeks in advance of the regular internal deadline — more information on internal review is available here.
Application Results
Notification of the outcome of their application will be emailed to the lead applicant by the Office of the Vice-Principal, Research and Innovation (OVPRI).
Post-Award Details
Successful applicants will have their funding transferred to their faculty member’s commitment fund centre (CFC).
Questions
Questions about the program, eligibility, the application process, deadlines, etc., should be addressed to funding.ovpri.utm@utoronto.ca.