Federal research funding agencies release Tri-agency Research Training Strategy

The three federal research funding agencies—the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) and Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC)—have released their Tri-agency Research Training Strategy.

As part of its priority to advance research training, the Canada Research Coordinating Committee (CRCC) tasked the three agencies with developing this research training strategy. Its aim is to ensure the suite of scholarships and fellowships the agencies deliver is equitable, inclusive, accessible and effective . The strategy will help support and prepare a diverse population of undergraduate and graduate students and postdoctoral researchers for careers requiring strong research skills in all sectors of society.

Building on the guidance provided by the CRCC, the evidence and data collected as part of the strategy’s development, and feedback received from the community, the three funding agencies have identified five themes in research training, and are committed to exploring related actions to each, as outlined in the strategy. The themes identified are:

• 1: Evolving Career Paths
• 2: International Mobility and Globalization
• 3: Harmonization and Streamlining Efforts
• 4: Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
• 5: Indigenous Research and Research Training

As the strategy is implemented, the agencies will further engage with partners and communities to collaborate and to codevelop specific actions. The agencies’ goal is to introduce and apply these actions over the next five years.