What We Heard report released following engagement with the research community on modernization of the federal research support system

The 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 a joint report to the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry and the Minister of Health synthesizing input received from the broad research community on the design and implementation of a new capstone research organization proposed in Budget 2024.

The engagement process was undertaken in June and July in response to a ministerial statement and letter requesting that the agencies engage organizations in all fields, representing researchers across all career stages, to enable the research community to:

• inform details in design of the new organization within parameters set out in Budget 2024;
• provide input into the implementation plan of the new organization to advance internationally collaborative, multidisciplinary and mission-driven research; and
• identify any risks, to mitigate or avoid, related to its implementation.

The three agencies hosted multiple engagement sessions, and a total of 118 written submissions were received in response to the call for input. The report reflects views from a wide range of research organizations, individuals and stakeholder groups that reflect Canada’s diverse research community.

Respondents welcomed the opportunity to articulate core values and reflect on essential strengths on which to build the new capstone research funding organization. Overall, they expressed optimism that a capstone organization will enhance coordination of initiatives among the three agencies, invest in areas of critical importance to the country and provide a unified approach to international opportunities for Canadian researchers. The community also offered key considerations, values and guiding principles upon which modernization should take place. The community looks forward to ongoing engagement to advance and shape these new opportunities for Canadian research.

Further details on next steps to modernize Canada’s research support system will be provided in the 2024 Fall Economic Statement, as indicated in Budget 2024.

For more information contact CRCC-CCRCMedia@sshrc-crsh.gc.ca.