Your partner organizations can be private, public or not-for-profit. You may involve whichever partner organizations you need to achieve your research goals and successfully mobilize your research results to achieve the desired impact. At least one of these partners must have a demonstrated ability to exploit such research results, while other partners may be chosen for their ability to generate or mobilize knowledge. Each partner organization must actively play a role in the project and support it through in-kind contributions. Such involvement must be achieved by doing at least one of the following:

• play an active role in the project’s research activities
• utilize the project’s research results to help achieve its desired outcomes
• play an active role in translating or mobilizing knowledge to ensure that the research results have an impact

Various in-kind contributions could be made towards the project, such as the time of the partner organization’s experts, scientific, engineering or technical staff to provide direction and participate in the project; provision of equipment, materials or services; and provision of access to data or special equipment. More details on potential in-kind contributions can be found in NSERC’s instructions and in SSHRC’s Guidelines for Cash and In-Kind Contributions.

Active participation in the project and in-kind contributions are not required from funding organizations (e.g., other provincial or federal funding agencies) providing financial support to the project alongside NSERC and SSHRC (see the Funding tab for more information).

You must include at least one partner organization whose cash contributions would be recognized for cost sharing had there been any required. To maximize the impact, benefits and knowledge mobilization of the research, collaboration with additional partner organizations is encouraged.

Consult the Role of partner organizations for complete guidelines regarding partner organizations, including requirements for partner organizations whose cash contributions can be recognized for cost-sharing purposes with NSERC.

This funding opportunity for transformative science towards a sustainable agricultural sector in a net-zero economy, delivered jointly by NSERC and SSHRC in collaboration with AAFC, has the following objectives:

• Support fundamental and applied research to develop a technical path to a more sustainable and resilient agricultural sector in a net-zero economy.
• Develop metrics to better understand and report on environment and climate impacts of different production systems and of producers' efforts in adopting innovative practices.
• Improve ways to transfer science and technology knowledge effectively to the agricultural sector, with a view to accelerate change.

Proposals should focus on developing transformative solutions towards significant reduction of agriculture GHG emissions and propose research required to develop a technical path to a sustainable and resilient sector in a net-zero economy, in research topics such as, but not limited to:

1. Identification of practices and technologies to enable the sector to sequester carbon effectively (e.g., nature-based climate solutions or technologies that enhance soil carbon sequestration)
2. Alternative input management tools and technologies (e.g., novel pesticides/fertilizers, improved delivery methods, precision agriculture)
3. Innovative plant health solutions that reduce the need for added amendments (e.g., biofertilizers, plant gene-editing, nanotechnology)
4. Diverse production systems (crop, soil, livestock, grassland and nutrient management systems) that maximize environmental outcomes in future climate change scenarios
5. Development and testing of improved methane and nitrous oxide emission factors, measurement tools and models
6. Fundamental socio-economic and behavioural research towards increased adoption of practices and technologies that support greenhouse gas mitigation in the agriculture and agri-food sector
7. Development of metrics to better understand and report on environment and climate impacts, including biophysical and socio-economic

Researchers proposing research in cooperation with Indigenous groups are encouraged to consult the resources available on SSHRC's Indigenous Research web page.

To increase the impact of Canadian research in the global research community, you may incorporate international collaborations into your project proposal, but these researchers must secure their own sources of funding. You may interact with foreign colleagues in a variety of ways to enhance collaboration and increase your project's impact. Refer to the Tri-agency guide on financial administration for details on the eligibility of expenses you may incur in support of such collaborations.

This initiative recognizes the need to bring together the social and behavioural sciences and humanities, alongside the natural sciences and engineering (NSE) fields, to make important contributions to the transformation needed in society. For this initiative, there are no restrictions regarding the balance of project costs between the NSE and the social sciences and humanities fields. Where possible, applicants should distinguish between costs related to NSE research and costs related to social and behavioural sciences and humanities research in their budget justification.

Research costs for collaborations outside the NSE and social and behavioural sciences and humanities (i.e., health) can represent up to 30% of the project costs and must be specifically identified in the project budget justification.

You can request $500,000 to $2,000,000 per year from NSERC and SSHRC for four years; applications for projects less than four years will not be accepted. Cash contributions from partner organizations are not required. You cannot use an Alliance grant or a SSHRC Partnership grant to support secret or contract research.

You and your co-applicants may receive funds from other sources to cover direct costs of your project. These sources of funds could include cash contributions provided by other funding agencies, and such funds would add to and complement those requested from NSERC and SSHRC. You must include all of the project's direct costs funded by sources other than NSERC or SSHRC in the budget table. All costs must be explained in your application and will be considered in the merit assessment stage.

In-kind contributions are important for the success of the project. All partner organizations participating in the project must play an active role in it and make in-kind contributions through such involvement (see the Alliance grants: Partner organizations page for more details). In-kind contributions are considered in the merit assessment of your proposal (see the Alliance grants: Review of your application).

For full project applications, funds from NSERC and SSHRC cover the direct costs of the research and are paid to eligible universities. The funds from NSERC and SSHRC cannot be used to buy equipment, products or services from partner organizations, nor to cover any part of the travel and travel-related subsistence expenditures for partner organization personnel.

You can only include NSERC- and SSHRC-eligible direct costs of research in your project budget, such as:

• salary support for undergraduate and graduate students as well as postdoctoral fellows to perform research and related training
• salary support for technicians and research professional personnel
• materials and supplies
• activities that support collaborations and knowledge mobilization related to the project, including the costs associated with building relationships with communities
• activities to develop and grow the research collaborations with the partner organizations and relevant communities and/or end users
• limited costs towards course load reduction, for replacement of faculty to support college^Footnote* faculty members' involvement in the research project (up to $9,000 per course load reduction per semester per faculty, or the equivalent of 0.1 full-time-equivalent positions)

Refer to the guidelines on the use of grant funds in the Tri-agency guide on financial administration or contact NSERC or SSHRC to confirm the eligibility of proposed expenses related to the above.

You can also include the costs of equipment, provided that the equipment is:

• essential to achieving the objectives of the research project
• incremental to the equipment already available at the university or at the partner organization's location

Your total expected equipment cost (including operation and maintenance) cannot exceed $400,000 over the duration of the project.

For projects involving multiple partner organizations and/or universities, you may include project management costs, up to 10% of the total direct research costs (see Guidelines for research partnerships programs project management expenses).

To facilitate partnerships and build successful multidisciplinary and multi-sectoral collaborations required to establish strong teams and relevant proposals, preparatory funds are available to NSERC- and SSHRC-eligible researchers. Up to $50,000 can be requested to support application-related expenses. Only one application for preparatory funding can be submitted per team and it is expected that ~20 awards will be available. The application due date for preparatory funding is May 8, 2023. The award start date for preparatory funds is expected to be June 1, 2023.

Preparatory funds may be used for application-related expenses, such as:

• Meetings costs (the use of conference calls is encouraged whenever possible)
• Travel and accommodation expenses of academic participants as well as local community advisors, such as Indigenous elders or agricultural producers, for any face-to-face meetings required to develop the proposal (partner organizations are expected to demonstrate commitment to the project by covering their own costs)
• Communication, secretarial, clerical and coordination services over and above what is available from the universities involved and the partner organizations; salaries of technical writers may be requested but only up to a maximum of $15,000

NSERC and SSHRC funds cannot be used for:

• Salaries for university personnel
• Travel costs of employees from partner organizations

Each applicant and co-applicant must create an account in NSERC's online system if they do not already have one. All applicants and co-applicants must complete and submit a form 100A, following the relevant instructions to be included in the application. Social sciences and humanities researchers may use research subject code 8000 when indicating their expertise. For more information on this topic, please consult NSERC's frequently asked questions.

Preparatory funding: Preparatory funding request applications will be accepted until May 8, 2023, at 8:00 pm (ET). Only one application for preparatory funding can be submitted per team.

1. Log in to NSERC's online system and choose Create a new form 101.
2. Select Research partnerships programs, then Alliance grants.
3. For the Proposal type field, select Letter of intent.
4. For the Type of call field, select Preparatory funds for sustainable agriculture from the drop-down menu.

Taking into account the information for preparatory funding as outlined in the Funding section, complete the other required sections of your application. Your request for preparatory funding should include:

• your summary for public release and ten keywords
• details on fit to the initiative, and the team, including the names of two or more co-applicants and potential partners (maximum 2 pages)
• a list of other sources of support and the amounts provided (if applicable)
• how the funds will be used (budget and budget justification)
• a form 100A and CCV for the applicant

Full project applications: Full project applications to this funding opportunity will be accepted until November 8, 2023, at 8:00 pm (ET).

You are limited to one application as the applicant, but you can be a co-applicant or collaborator on more than one application. There must be no duplication of funding; each grant must cover distinct expenses.

1. Log in to NSERC's online system and choose Create a new form 101.
2. Select Research partnerships programs, then Alliance grants.
3. For the Proposal type field, select Full proposal.
4. For the Type of call field, select Sustainable agriculture from the drop-down menu.
5. Following the instructions for completing an Alliance grant application, fill out the proposal template and complete the other sections of your application. Delete the Public impact value proposition section from the proposal template. It does not apply to the Sustainable agriculture research initiative.
6. Submit your completed application and supporting documents, including a personal data form with CCV attachment for the applicant and all co-applicants, via NSERC's online system. Your partner organization's contact person will be invited through the online system to provide information about their organization following the Alliance grants partner organization instructions.

NSERC's funding will be provided as an Alliance grant; therefore, Canada's National Security Guidelines for Research Partnerships apply to NSERC-funded applications that involve one or more partner organizations from the private sector, including when they participate alongside other partner organizations from the public and/or not-for-profit sectors. These guidelines provide a framework through which researchers, research institutions and Canada's granting agencies can undertake consistent, risk-targeted due diligence to identify and mitigate potential national security risks linked to research partnerships.

No further information is required at the time of application. If your proposal includes substantial content in the natural sciences or engineering fields and includes one or more partner organizations from the private sector, you and your postsecondary institution will be contacted at a later date by NSERC and asked to complete the National Security Guidelines for Research Partnerships' Risk Assessment Form. Instructions for completing and submitting the form will be provided at that time.

By submitting your application, you and your co-applicants agree to the terms and conditions of applying for applicants. By participating in your application, your partner organizations agree to the terms and conditions of applying for partner organizations. You also agree that any information contained in your proposal will be shared between NSERC and SSHRC and may be shared with AAFC for purposes consistent with the program objectives.

NSERC and SSHRC are acting on the evidence that achieving a more equitable, diverse and inclusive Canadian research enterprise is essential to creating the excellent, innovative and impactful research necessary to advance knowledge and understanding, and to respond to local, national and global challenges. This principle informs the commitments described in the Tri-agency statement on equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI).

You are encouraged to consider sex, gender and diversity in the project's research design. Diversity and gender equity should also be considered when developing the research team and considering how to promote and support a variety of forms of mentoring to ensure students' and postdoctoral fellows' equitable participation and growth. Refer to the Guide for applicants: Considering equity, diversity and inclusion in your application for more information.

When NSERC and SSHRC receive an application, they first undertake an administrative assessment to ensure the application is complete and complies with all requirements. Once the administrative assessment is satisfactorily completed, NSERC and SSHRC will proceed with the merit assessment of the application.

Preparatory funding applications will be evaluated for eligibility and fit internally at NSERC and SSHRC using the following criteria:

• Fit to the initiative
• Justification of need for funds
• Eligibility of requested budget items
• Partner engagement, participation and contributions (if applicable)

All full proposals undergo peer review. In collaboration with AAFC, NSERC and SSHRC will establish a multidisciplinary evaluation committee, with national and international members from academic and non-academic organizations (such as private, public, or not-for-profit sector organizations), which will review the applications. The peer review committee will assess proposals according to the merit review criteria detailed below. The peer review committee may be informed in its assessment by external expert reports. NSERC and SSHRC funding decisions will be informed by the committee's recommendations. NSERC and SSHRC reserve the right to select the most appropriate review process.

The merit of your application is evaluated using the following four equally weighted criteria. Your proposal must address all the listed points (criteria and sub-criteria) to be considered for funding. For this initiative, alignment with the objectives and/or research topics will be assessed as part of the relevance and outcomes criteria.

Relevance and outcomes

• Significance of the intended outcomes and of the economic, social and/or environmental benefits for Canada
• Originality of the research to address the topic and the potential for generating new scientific knowledge
• Extent to which the strategy to apply the research results is likely to achieve the intended outcomes
• Alignment with the objectives and/or research topics of the initiative

Partnership

• Appropriateness of the partnership to achieve the intended outcomes, leveraging of different types of partner organizations and the integration of their unique perspectives and knowledge in the project, as appropriate
• Clarity of each partner organization's role in the collaboration with respect to defining the challenge, co-designing and implementing the research, and using the results to achieve the desired outcomes
• Appropriateness of the level of in-kind contributions from each partner organization

Quality of the proposal

• Clarity of the objectives and deliverables; appropriateness of the scope and size of planned activities to achieve the expected outcomes; justification for the planned expenditures
• Appropriateness of the identified indicators and methods for monitoring progress during the project and for assessing outcomes after the project
• Appropriateness of academic researchers' expertise, and that found within the partner organizations, both for carrying out the planned research activities and in mentoring trainees

Training

• Opportunities for enriched training experiences for research trainees (undergraduates, graduates, postdoctoral fellows) to develop relevant research skills as well as professional skills such as leadership, communication, collaboration and entrepreneurship
• Consideration of equity, diversity and inclusion in the training plan (for guidance, consult the Equity, diversity and inclusion in your training plan page)

NSERC uses established merit indicators to rate each evaluation sub-criterion/criterion.

NSERC and SSHRC will review full proposals to determine whether they fall primarily under NSERC's or SSHRC's research areas. NSERC will provide funding for research projects primarily in the natural sciences and engineering fields, while SSHRC will support research primarily in the social sciences and humanities fields.

In supporting research partnerships that endeavour to obtain the greatest possible benefits to Canada and for Canadians, NSERC and SSHRC reserve the right to:

• determine the eligibility of proposals and request additional information from Canadian applicants, as may be required for the review of their application
• interpret the regulations and policies governing the national funding opportunities
• apply conditions to individual grants, as appropriate
• terminate, suspend, reduce the amount or duration, or change the terms and conditions of an award with due notice, in order to comply with Government of Canada laws, regulations, policies and directives, which are subject to change from time to time

NSERC and SSHRC will decide on the allocation of funds from each agency based on the primary focus of application. Their funding decisions will consider the merit evaluation of applications to select proposals for funding on a competitive basis.

NSERC's funding decisions may also consider the assessment of potential risks for Canada's national security, in addition to the results of the merit evaluation. If you are asked to submit a Risk Assessment Form following the National Security Guidelines for Research Partnerships, NSERC will conduct an administrative risk validation and, if additional expertise is required, advice will be sought from Canada's national security departments and agencies. Funding decisions that consider the results of a national security risk assessment are informed by both the risks identified and the mitigation measures proposed.

Results of the evaluation are expected to be available in March 2024 with award start dates of April 1, 2024. The start date is not negotiable.

If your application is approved for funding, you will receive an award letter from NSERC or SSHRC, and you must adhere to the terms and conditions of the award. NSERC funding will be provided as an Alliance grant while SSHRC funding will be provided as a Partnership-type grant.

Your award letter will indicate the start date of your project. The start date of awards under this initiative is expected to be April 1, 2024. NSERC and SSHRC will normally transfer your grant funds to your university within 30 days of that start date.

NSERC and SSHRC recommend that you and your university follow best practices by signing a research agreement that defines the intellectual property rights and obligations of all the partner organizations involved in your research project. The agreement must be aligned with NSERC's policy on intellectual property, which promotes the use and/or exploitation of knowledge and open access to results of research funded by NSERC.

Notes:

• NSERC and SSHRC claim no rights of ownership to any intellectual property generated through projects funded by the Sustainable agriculture research initiative.
• NSERC's policy on intellectual property stipulates that each of your students must maintain their right to defend their thesis without delays or impediments.
• All participants, including any trainees, should consult this policy to ensure that they are aware of their rights and obligations.

You must acknowledge NSERC and/or SSHRC support in any communications or presentations about the research supported by the Sustainable agriculture research initiative.

You must report regularly on how you use the funds from your grant, the activities you carry out during your funded project and the outcomes of this project. You will be informed of reporting requirements upon receiving your award letter.

Subsequent instalments of your grant depend on (1) a demonstrated need for NSERC/SSHRC funds and (2) adherence to all other conditions specified in the terms and conditions of an award.

You must notify NSERC and SSHRC:

• if any of your partner organizations no longer actively play a role in the project and support it through in-kind contributions, as committed to in the application
• if any of your partner organizations leave the project—in this respect, during the entire project, you must have at least one partner organization whose cash contributions would be recognized for cost-sharing, had there been any required

If you and your partner organizations fail to provide requested feedback, your subsequent applications may be denied.

NSERC and SSHRC automatically provide an extension period of one year for using the grant funds. This extension period allows you to complete your research activities planned for within the specified term of your grant.

The NSERC-SSHRC Sustainable Agriculture Research Initiative funded multidisciplinary, collaborative teams of researchers and partners to address specific research objectives through a preparatory funding round (deadline May 8, 2023) and a full application funding round (deadline November 8, 2023.)

• Preparatory funding recipients

  To facilitate partnerships and build successful multidisciplinary and multi-sectoral collaborations required to establish strong teams and relevant proposals, preparatory funds were available to NSERC- and SSHRC-eligible researchers to support application-related expenses. The results were announced in June 2023.

• Applications approved for funding

  NSERC and SSHRC established a multidisciplinary evaluation committee to evaluate the applications according to the merit review criteria established for this funding opportunity. The grants were awarded based on the results of this peer review.

Consult the Alliance resources and the Alliance frequently asked questions web pages for additional guidance and information that may help you prepare your application to this initiative.

Preparatory funding recipients

We are pleased to offer information webinars about the NSERC-SSHRC Sustainable agriculture research initiative and answer questions from attendees. The webinars will be held at the dates and times listed below. Sessions will be available in English and French. Please note that the content will be the same for both sessions.

Presentation on NSERC-SSHRC Sustainable agriculture research initiative

Wednesday, September 20, 2023, 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM EST
Click here to join the meeting
Meeting number: 2770 145 0815
Password: Alliance2023!

Join by phone:
1-613-714-9906 Canada Toll (Ottawa)
1-844-426-4405 Canada Toll Free
Access code: 277 014 50815

Tuesday, September 19, 2023, 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM EST
Click here to join the meeting
Meeting number: 2772 552 8392
Password: Alliance2023!

Join by phone:
1-613-714-9906 Canada Toll (Ottawa)
1-844-426-4405 Canada Toll Free
Access code: 277 255 28392

All applicants for SSHRC funding should consult the following guidelines while preparing their applications:

• SSHRC's Definitions of Terms for terms used in the grant application process
• The Guidelines for Effective Research Training, which can also be useful to reviewers and postsecondary institutions
• SSHRC's Indigenous Research Statement of Principles and Guidelines for the Merit Review of Indigenous Research for applications involving Indigenous Research
• SSHRC's Guide to Addressing Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Considerations in Partnership Grant Applications
• SSHRC's definition of knowledge mobilization and Guidelines for Effective Knowledge Mobilization for guidance on connecting with research users to create impact
• SSHRC's Guidelines for Support of Tools for Research and Related Activities for applicants requiring funding for research and research-related tools