CSAHS Researchers Achieve Outstanding Success with Tri-Council Awards

In another year marked by fierce competition and soaring demand for research funding, the University of Guelph has risen to new heights, securing an extraordinary array of Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) awards. This achievement not only reflects CSAHS’s unwavering dedication to research excellence but also sets a new benchmark for both the number of award-winning researchers and the total value of funding secured.

Results That Resonate

What makes this year’s achievements even more remarkable is our ability to remain consistent while continuing to grow. CSAHS has exceeded expectations with more researchers applying for SSHRC funding than in previous years, achieving the highest success rate in securing funding in the past five years.

Notably, the number of Insight Development Grant applicants doubled compared to last year, with an impressive success rate of 83%. These figures are more than statistics—they reflect a deeply rooted culture of research excellence, mentorship, and innovation within our college.

Beyond the Numbers: A Culture of Excellence

CSAHS researchers are addressing some of the most pressing issues of our time—food insecurity, gender-based violence, Indigenous reconciliation, and environmental justice, to name a few.

SSHRC shines a spotlight on research that transcends academia to make a tangible difference in society. This year also marked notable success with the New Frontiers in Research Fund (NFRF), which supports world-leading Canadian-led research that is innovative, interdisciplinary, and transformative.

The Exploration Stream of the NFRF aims to unite diverse disciplines to explore high-risk, high-reward, impactful research. Dr. Travis Steffens' project, which takes a One Health approach to conservation, exemplifies the interdisciplinary vision by integrating various disciplines to address environmental and human health challenges in Madagascar.

All projects awarded a SSHRC grant exemplify the kind of high-impact, interdisciplinary research that SSHRC seeks to elevate—and CSAHS continues to deliver.

Strategic Momentum and Institutional Pride

Behind these successes lies a strategic commitment from the research community, an ecosystem which fosters a collaborative environment where faculty are supported from initial idea to implementation. This momentum is not only a point of pride for the college but also a reputational asset for the University of Guelph as a whole.

As the next SSHRC application cycle approaches, CSAHS is actively building on this momentum. With a strong foundation, an expanding network of community partnerships, and a clear vision for the future, the college is poised to continue leading the way in social sciences and humanities research.

Advancing Purpose-Driven Research

CSAHS’s performance is more than a success story—it’s a benchmark for what’s possible when research is driven by purpose, supported by strategy, and rooted in community impact.  Our college community stands in celebration, energized by a spirit of innovation and impact that continues to shape the landscape of research excellence in the social sciences. And as SSHRC continues to recognize excellence across Canada, we stand as a model of what it means to lead with both heart and rigor.