Competition

* Unless explicitly noted, all times indicated for deadlines are for the appropriate NL timezone (NST or NDT)

The Sustainable Agriculture Research Initiative Connection Grants are a one-time initiative intended to support interdisciplinary and intersectoral events and outreach activities focused on short-term, targeted knowledge mobilization. The goal is to bring together those working to advance and transform sustainable agricultural sectors and food systems in support of Canada’s just transition to a net-zero economy.

The Sustainable Agriculture Research Initiative (SARI) is a joint effort between the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) in partnership with the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) and in collaboration with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), to fund research leading to a sustainable, resilient and profitable agriculture sector in a net-zero economy. SARI was supported by Budget 2022, which included a commitment for immediate action toward climate mitigation, in support of the 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan: Canada’s Next Steps for Clean Air and a Strong Economy to support farmers as partners in building a clean, prosperous future.

The Sustainable Agriculture Research Initiative Connection Grants (SARI-CG) aim to build on the momentum of the $87.5 million investment made in 2024 to support 16 research partnership projects funded through SARI, as well as the $1.9 million investment in the Common Ground Canada Network following the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Network on Sustainable Agriculture in a Net-Zero Economy funding opportunity.

Description

The SARI-CG are intended to support events and outreach activities geared toward short-term, targeted knowledge mobilization initiatives, bringing together those working to advance sustainable agricultural sectors and food systems to support a just transition to net-zero in Canada, regardless of whether they have previously been involved in SARI grants or the Network grant.

The grants provide up to $50,000 over one year for both events and outreach activities, with the option of a one-year extension with no additional funding. A minimum request of $10,000 is required. Approximately 32 projects are expected to be funded. Higher amounts than $50,000 may be considered, but applicants must justify the higher amount and provide evidence that the entire project can be managed within the one-year time frame.

Activities can include workshops, colloquiums, conferences, forums, summer institutes and documentaries, as well as other events or outreach activities that can help to transform Canada’s economy for a sustainable future. The activities will also facilitate the following, aimed specifically at sustainable agriculture and food systems issues:

• – intersectoral exchanges of research between academia and partners from the public, private and/or not-for-profit sectors in Canada and abroad;

• – convene and transfer research knowledge to users currently working in the field, such as farmers, livestock producers and agricultural experts;

• – increased accessibility and use of research knowledge within and beyond the postsecondary sector; and

• – high-quality training experiences for students and/or postdoctoral researchers.

Activities should serve as a bridge between academic research, government and the broader agricultural and food sectors. Exchanges should be interdisciplinary and integrate the social sciences and humanities, natural sciences and engineering, as well as other research fields. Efforts should be made to meet the sectors where they congregate—for example, agricultural exhibitions and fairs, demonstration farms, farm shows, etc.—to ensure knowledge exchange extends beyond academic settings.

Please note: Applicants must complete the Connection Grants application form and follow the accompanying instructions.

In addition to the external funding agency’s submission procedures, this opportunity must also be submitted for Departmental, HSS Faculty, and Research Initiatives and Services (RIS) institutional reviews and approvals via Memorial's Researcher Portal (RP). In order to facilitate the HSS Faculty’s administrative review, please ensure "Heather C. O'Brien (Grants Facilitator)" and “Matthew Milner (Grants Facilitator)” are added as "Team Members" on your RP file. 

In accordance with University-wide approval protocols, all tabs of the RP file must be completed, the completed application must be uploaded to the “Attachments” tab, all supporting documentation including support for cash and in-kind commitments and/or letters of support must also be uploaded, and “Submit” must be pressed prior to the HSS internal deadline listed below. HSS cannot guarantee completion of an administrative review for application files that are incomplete and/or are submitted after the HSS deadline. For more detailed submission instructions and information, please consult the HSS Research Support Services website.

If you plan to apply to this competition or other research funding opportunities (as either PI or CI), e-mail an HSS Grants Facilitator, Heather C. O’Brien (HSSResearchAdmin@mun.ca or 864-8603) or Matthew Milner (HSSResearchGrants@mun.ca or 864-8050), to notify the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences of your intent to apply. E-mailing the intent to apply as early as possible will help to facilitate an efficient review. A Grants Facilitator can answer any questions you may have about internal or external submission procedures and may also be able to help with proposal development.