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Table 2: Details on Transfer Payment Programs ¹

Name of Transfer Payment Program: Grants and Scholarships
Start Date: 1978	End Date: No end date
Description: This transfer payment program consists of grants and scholarships awarded for research, research training and research dissemination activities in the social sciences and humanities.
Strategic Outcome(s):	1. PEOPLE—A First-Class Research Capacity in the Social Sciences and Humanities
	2. RESEARCH—New Knowledge Based on Research Excellence in the Social Sciences And Humanities
	3. KNOWLEDGE MOBILIZATION—The Transfer, Dissemination and Use of Social Sciences and Humanities Knowledge

Results Achieved:

Strategic Outcome 1: PEOPLE

Fellowships, Scholarships and Prizes activities address demands from the private, public and not-for-profit sectors for large numbers of highly qualified personnel who are trained in the social sciences and humanities, and for faculty renewal at universities. In 2008-09, a combined total of 846 awards were granted to exceptionally promising graduate students and scholars at the doctoral and postdoctoral levels (excluding Canada Graduate Scholarships, which are reported in Table 2b). In addition, SSHRC offered special prizes and fellowships to recognize the extraordinary dedication and creativity of Canada's best researchers. Profiles of the 2008-09 prize recipients and their research can be found at http://www.sshrc.ca/site/winning-recherche_subventionnee/prize-prix-eng.aspx.

As of the end of the 2008-09 fiscal year, the total number of Canada Research Chairs awarded was 1,798,¹ of which 393 (22 per cent) were in the social sciences and humanities. As of the end of the 2008-09 fiscal year, 573 chairholders had been recruited from outside Canada (approximately 31 per cent) since the inception of the program. The program has attracted back to Canada a significant number of expatriate researchers (representing 46 per cent of external recruits) who had established solid reputations at foreign institutions.

Strategic Outcome 2: RESEARCH

SSHRC's Investigator-Framed Research program activity is supported by two key programs: Standard Research Grants (SRG) and Major Collaborative Research Initiatives (MCRI). In 2008-09, SSHRC supported 904 new SRG projects involving 1,767 social sciences and humanities researchers. Ultimately, the results of Investigator-Framed Research activities in 2008-09 include, for example, development of research skills among future academics and researchers; enhancement of Canada's international reputation for research leadership and excellent scholarship; and a large body of published research. A special report on the performance of the MCRI program, conducted in 2005, provides evidence that the MCRI program has performed strongly as a tool for SSHRC to support the leading edge of its research community. In 2008-09, the Targeted Research and Training Initiatives program activity made significant multiyear investments aimed at producing new knowledge and capacity on pressing social, economic and cultural issues of vital importance to Canadians, and ensuring that this knowledge and capacity are available to decision-makers in various sectors. In total, 392 awards totalling $22.1 million were granted across the key program activities

In 2008-09, Strategic Research Development program activity fostered innovative modes of research that push the boundaries of traditional scholarship. The Community-University Research Alliances (CURA) program supports research alliances between community and postsecondary institutions. In 2007-08, SSHRC partnered with the International Development Research Centre to launch the International CURA program (based on the CURA model). These International CURAs focus on areas of research aligned with federal science and technology (S&T) strategy priority research areas. In 2008-09, four International CURA projects were funded.

Strategic Outcome 3: KNOWLEDGE MOBILIZATION

In 2008-09, SSHRC began developing a knowledge mobilization strategy. SSHRC established a logic model, as well as draft principles, for the strategy. By developing such a strategy, SSHRC is building knowledge mobilization  as an integral component across its entire program suite. This helps ensure that the results of SSHRC-funded research are accessible to a wide range of audiences, contributing to Canada's knowledge, people, and entrepreneurial advantages as described in the federal S&T strategy.

Table 2a: Grants and Scholarships (voted)

($ millions)	Actual Spending 2006-07	Actual Spending 2007-08	Planned Spending 2008-09	Total Authorities 2008-09	Actual Spending 2008-09	Variance Between Planned and Actual Spending
Program Activities
Fellowships, Scholarships and Prizes	32.6	33.1	33.7	33.6	37.8	4.1
Canada Research Chairs	54.0	55.8	59.2	59.1	55.6	-3.6
Investigator-Framed Research	93.3	84.9	85.3	85.3	82.6	-2.7
Targeted Research and Training Initiatives	23.4	22.1	14.2	20.4	22.1	7.9
Strategic Research Development	19.2	24.8	23.0	26.5	24.9	1.9
Research Communication and Interaction	21.1	58.7	25.5	28.0	29.9	4.4
Total Grants	243.6	279.4	240.9	252.9	252.9	12.0
Comment(s) on Variance(s)	Through Budget 2008, SSHRC received an additional $11.04 million for research that contributes to a better understanding of how the environment affects the lives of Canadians, and of the social and economic development needs of northern communities. This amount was not included in the planned spending in the 2008-09 Report on Plans and Priorities (RPP). Furthermore, SSHRC has also received funding not included in the 2008-09 RPP from other departments through the Supplementary Estimates, in support of SSHRC's programs.
Significant Audit Findings and URL(s) to Last Audit(s)	A planned audit of the effectiveness and efficiency of the Canada Research Chairs Program was deferred to 2009-10 and will take place in tandem with the 10-year summative evaluation of the CRC in 2009-10. An audit of the CURA program commenced in June 2008.

 

Name of Transfer Payment Program: Canada Graduate Scholarships (CGS)
Start Date: 2003	End Date: No end date
Description: The CGS program was established by the federal government in 2003 to support graduate students who demonstrate scholarly potential and achievement at the highest levels. More than 50 per cent of CGS awards are administered by SSHRC under the name of "Joseph-Armand Bombardier Canada Graduate Scholarships," for graduate students in the social sciences and humanities.
Strategic Outcome(s):	1. PEOPLE—A First-Class Research Capacity in the Social Sciences and Humanities

Results Achieved:

The total number of Joseph-Armand Bombardier CGS master's and doctoral scholarships awarded in 2008-09 was 1,730. An evaluation of the CGS programs conducted in 2008-2009 generally supports the notion that there is a continuing need for CGS and related programs. The evaluation found that CGS is meeting two key goals: to enhance the quality of graduate training and to increase the number of HQP graduating from Canadian universities.

Table 2b: Canada Graduate Scholarships (voted)

($ millions)	Actual Spending 2006-07	Actual Spending 2007-08	Planned Spending 2008-09	Total Authorities 2008-09	Actual Spending 2008-09	Variance Between Planned and Actual Spending
Program Activities
Canada Graduate Scholarships	61.7	64.6	67.0	67.7	67.3	0.3
Total Grants	61.7	64.6	67.0	67.7	67.3	0.3
Comment(s) on Variance(s)	Through Budget 2008, SSHRC received an additional $750,000 for the CGS Canada Foreign Study Stipend Program that was not included in the planned spending in the 2008-09 RPP. Further to this, SSHRC did not receive sufficient applications from eligible candidates to be able to disburse all of the new funding.
Significant Audit Findings and URL(s) to Last Audit(s)	No audit was performed during the reporting year.

 

Name of Transfer Payment Program: Indirect Costs of Research
Start Date: 2003	End Date: No end date
Description: This transfer payment program supports a portion of the indirect costs associated with conducting academic research in institutions that receive research grant funds from any of the three federal research granting agencies. Grants are awarded to eligible institutions using a progressive funding formula based on the average revenues from research grants received from CIHR, NSERC and SSHRC.
Strategic Outcome(s):	4. INSTITUTIONAL ENVIRONMENT—A Strong Canadian Research Environment

Results Achieved:

In 2007-08, the most recent year for which data is available, eligible institutions invested along five key investment areas: 36 per cent of the Indirect Costs funds were spent on facilities; 18 per cent on research resources; 34 per cent on management and administration; seven per cent on regulatory requirements and accreditation; and five per cent on intellectual property management. Through site visits, key informant interviews and annual reports submitted by recipient institutions, SSHRC has been able to capture the results and impacts of Indirect Costs funding. For example, Indirect Costs grants have enabled a number of universities to enhance their library and database resources, leverage additional sources of funding, and sustain and strengthen regulatory compliance related to research activities.

Table 2c: Indirect Costs of Research (voted)

($ millions)	Actual Spending 2006-07	Actual Spending 2007-08	Planned Spending 2008-09	Total Authorities 2008-09	Actual Spending 2008-09	Variance Between Planned and Actual Spending
Program Activity
Indirect Costs of Research	297.8	299.1	314.1	328.3	328.3	14.2
Total Grants	297.8	299.1	314.1	328.3	328.3	14.2
Comment(s) on Variance(s)	Through Budget 2008, SSHRC received an additional $15 million in grants for indirect costs that was not included in the planned spending in the 2008-09 RPP. Of this funding, $800,000 was transferred to the Department of National Defence for the portion of Indirect Costs awarded to the Royal Military College of Canada.
Significant Audit Findings and URL to Last Audit	Based on the audit of the Indirect Costs Program conducted in 2008-09, many elements of good program administration were noted, including evidence of strategic documents, a results-based management and accountability framework and risk-based audit framework, each with performance indicators, and a website for communicating the key elements of the program. A key risk to the Indirect Costs Program involves incorrectly applying the funding formula and thereby distributing funds incorrectly. Audit testing confirmed that the calculations performed by the program in applying the funding calculation formula and the controls over the payment process were satisfactory and operating as intended.

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