The Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada are committed to excellence in research and research training. 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.

With these goals in mind, the agencies are committed to:

• Supporting equitable access to funding opportunities for all members of the research community
• Promoting the integration of equity, diversity and inclusion-related considerations in research design and practices
• Increasing equitable and inclusive participation in the research system, including on research teams
• Collecting the data and conducting the analyses needed to include equity, diversity and inclusion considerations in decision-making

Through these means the agencies will work with those involved in the research system to develop the inclusive culture needed for research excellence and to achieve outcomes that are rigorous, relevant and accessible to diverse populations.

• Tri-Agency EDI Action Plan for 2018–2025

• Charter
• Frequently asked questions
• Logos
• Pilot phase
• Recognition program

Equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) strengthen the post-secondary community and the quality, social relevance and impact of research. Embedding EDI principles into our practices and analyses help us identify and address historical barriers faced by underrepresented groups. In turn, it enhances the integrity of the application and selection processes, strengthens research outputs and increases the overall excellence of research.

Some initiatives with specific elements designed to promote EDI and address barriers and biases experienced by underrepresented groups are highlighted below.

• Canada Research Chairs program
  The program helps fund world-class chairholders from Canada and abroad. To ensure equitable representation of individuals from the four designated groups in Canada (women, persons with disabilities, Indigenous Peoples and members of visible minorities), and to provide a supportive and inclusive workplace, the program has, among other things, implemented these EDI requirements and practices.
• Canada 150 Research Chairs
  This initiative aims to enhance Canada’s reputation as a global centre for science, research and innovation excellence. All institutions’ practices for recruiting chairs are expected to be open, transparent and equitable. Institutions are also required to ensure equitable access to opportunities available within the research teams that the program establishes.
• Canada First Research Excellence Fund
  This funding opportunity aims to boost the strengths of Canadian postsecondary institutions so that they can achieve global success in research areas that create long-term social and economic advantages for Canada. All institutions must maintain an up-to-date equity plan.
• Canada Excellence Research Chairs
  This program funds world-renowned researchers and their teams to establish ambitious research programs at Canadian universities. See the program’s equity and diversity practices.
• New Frontiers in Research Fund
  This initiative funds interdisciplinary, international, high-risk, transformative and fast-breaking research. Equity, diversity and inclusion requirements are assessed within two of the five evaluation criteria. See the program’s Best Practices in Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in Research guide.
• Canada Biomedical Research Fund
  This one-time funding opportunity supports applied research, training and talent development, as part of a suite of foundational investments to establish a resilient, robust domestic biomanufacturing sector in Canada. Equity, diversity and inclusion considerations are included within the program’s scientific and technical evaluation criteria at both stages of the competition.
• Black students and postdoctoral researchers funding
  This initiative includes funds to increase the number and proportion of Black research trainees directly supported by the three federal granting agencies’ scholarships and fellowships programs. It supports Black scholars at the undergraduate, masters, doctoral, postdoctoral and post-health professional degree stages.

• The Alice Wilson Award for women postdoctoral fellowship holders
  This award is given yearly to three women of outstanding academic qualifications in the arts and humanities, social sciences or science who are entering a career in scholarship or research at the postdoctoral level.

Note: For guidance on how to embed EDI considerations into a specific funding opportunity application, please refer to the corresponding web page.

• Frequently Asked Questions about the Self-identification Questionnaire
• Bias in Peer Review online learning module

• New Frontiers in Research Fund: Best Practices in Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in Research
• Setting New Directions to Support Indigenous Research and Research Training in Canada

• Guide to addressing equity, diversity and inclusion in College and Community Innovation Program grant applications
• CCI guide for research involving Indigenous Peoples and communities

• Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)
• Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC)
• Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC)

• GENDER-NET Plus
• Supporting Women in Research: Policies, Programs and Initiatives Undertaken by Public Research Funding Agencies
• Gender-Disaggregated Data at the Participating Organisations of the Global Research Council: Results of a global survey