Online disinformation affects elections, public trust, and how Canadians engage with digital platforms. The Joint Initiative for Digital Citizen Research funds Canadian research that examines these impacts and explores ways to strengthen digital citizenship. It is a federal initiative led by Canadian Heritage, delivered through established Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) grant programs.
The Joint Initiative for Digital Citizen Research is not a standalone grant with its own application form. Instead, it is a thematic funding priority supported by Canadian Heritage and delivered through SSHRC’s existing programs.
Funding is available through SSHRC’s:
Applicants submit proposals through SSHRC’s normal processes, clearly aligning their research with the digital citizen research objectives.
Eligible projects focus on:
Projects can be theoretical, applied, or community-focused, as long as they contribute to understanding or addressing digital citizenship issues in Canada.
Eligibility follows standard SSHRC rules, which typically include:
Businesses usually participate as research partners, not lead applicants, unless they are formally eligible under SSHRC guidelines.
There is no fixed funding amount under the Joint Initiative itself. Award sizes depend on the SSHRC program used:
No. Funding provided through SSHRC is non-repayable research grant funding.
Choose the right SSHRC program
Decide whether your project fits best under an Insight Grant or a Connection Grant, based on scope and outcomes.
Align with the initiative’s objectives
Your proposal must clearly address online disinformation or digital citizenship in Canada. This alignment should be explicit in your research summary and objectives.
Prepare your SSHRC application
Follow SSHRC’s standard application requirements, including research objectives, methodology, team roles, and budget.
Submit through SSHRC
Applications are submitted through SSHRC’s regular intake process, not directly to Canadian Heritage.
Tools like GrantHub’s eligibility matcher can help you quickly confirm whether your organization fits SSHRC participation rules and identify complementary research funding by province or sector.
Treating this as a standalone grant
There is no separate application form for the Joint Initiative. You must apply through SSHRC.
Weak alignment to digital citizenship
Projects that mention disinformation only briefly often fail to meet the initiative’s intent.
Incorrect lead applicant
SSHRC eligibility rules are strict. Ineligible lead applicants can disqualify an otherwise strong project.
Ignoring SSHRC deadlines
Each grant stream has fixed intake dates. Missing them means waiting for the next cycle.
Q: What is the Joint Initiative for Digital Citizen Research?
It is a collaboration between Canadian Heritage and SSHRC that supports research on online disinformation and digital citizenship in Canada.
Q: Who can apply for funding?
Eligible applicants are those who qualify under SSHRC rules, usually Canadian post-secondary institutions and affiliated researchers.
Q: How much funding can a project receive?
Funding amounts depend on whether you apply through an Insight Grant or Connection Grant, each with its own limits.
Q: Is this funding taxable?
SSHRC grants are typically administered by institutions and are non-repayable. Tax treatment depends on how funds are held and used. Professional advice is recommended.
Q: Do businesses qualify as applicants?
Most businesses participate as research partners rather than lead applicants, unless they meet SSHRC eligibility criteria.
If your work touches on online disinformation, digital literacy, or civic participation, the Joint Initiative for Digital Citizen Research can be a strong fit when paired with the right SSHRC program. GrantHub tracks hundreds of active research and innovation grants across Canada, making it easier to see which federal and provincial programs align with your research profile and partnerships.
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