Research Office

Funding Opportunities - International Research Grants


This list is in alphabetical order. It is NOT an exhaustive list.

Asia Pacific Research Grants Program

As part of the Foundation's Canada Asia Pacific Research Network (CAPRN), this grants program will fund research activities, conferences, graduate and media fellowships, and special initiatives. These activities will in turn assist in the enhancement of Canadian capacity for public policy research and analysis focusing on the Asia Pacific region.

The Asia Pacific Research Grants will be available in six categories: Canada in Asia Publications Series; Policy Research Grants; Conference Support; Post-Graduate Research Fellowships; Media Grants; and Special Initiative Funding. All grants will be awarded on a competitive basis. Applications may be submitted in English or French

AUCC, Partnership for Tomorrow Program

This program outlines the following as its program objectives:

  1. to support new and ongoing partnerships between Canadian and the Balkans and Eastern Europe country partners
  2. to strengthen professional and institutional capacity in the Balkans and Eastern Europe countries to further the reform process within each country
  3. to strengthen the expertise, capacity, and awareness of Canadians through participation in the reform process of the Balkans and Eastern European countries
  4. to support the following CIDA programming priorities:

a. to promote good governance, democracy, political pluralism, and the rule of law and adherence to international norms and standards

b. assist with the transition to market economy

c. to facilitate Canadian trade and investment links to the region


Canada-Latin America and the Caribbean Research Grant

Managed by AUCC with financial assistance from IDRC. Projects must fall within the three broad theme categories as established by IDRC and described below.

Canadian Heritage Multiculturalism Program

This program focuses on initiatives to achieve the following program objectives:

  1. Ethno-racial minorities participate in public-decision making process
  2. Communities and the broad public engage in informed dialogue and Sustained action to combat racism
  3. Public institutions eliminate systemic barriers
  4. Federal policies, Programs, and Services respond to ethno-racial diversity

Projects funded by this program are grouped into four types: 1) community action 2) institutional development 3) public education 4) research

This program does not fund work that occurs outside of Canada. However, it relates to the international community to the extent that they fund research aimed at increasing knowledge and understanding of issues related to ethnic and racial diversity in Canada. Such research projects are assessed based on the extent to which they assist communities define the issues that they are facing and assist in the development of strategies and solutions that are most appropriate to their circumstances.


Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) International Opportunities Program (IOP)

  1. Development/Planning Grant
  2. Collaborative Research Project Grant

The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) wishes to encourage Canadian researchers to collaborate internationally in CIHR's priority areas of health research through the International Opportunities Program (IOP). This program offers two types of one-time funding grants, the Development/Planning Grant and the Collaborative Research Project Grant for Canadian researchers in different stages of an international collaboration. These one-time grants will enable Canadian researchers to develop new international collaborations and to participate on major international research projects, gain access to cutting edge research and technologies that are not currently available in Canada, and position CIHR as an international player in health research. This program does not support ongoing collaborative programs.


Global Classroom Initiative (GCI)

The GCI financially supports projects that develop and deliver effective school-based, global education resources and activities.

The objectives of the GCI are to:

  • encourage the integration of a global perspective in teaching
  • increase knowledge of international development and cooperation issues and help teachers deliver related resources and curricula
  • instill an understanding of global interdependence and Canada's responsibilities as a member of the global village
  • instill a sense of global citizenship and increase awareness of the difference that individual and collective actions can make on issues of global importance
  • raise awareness of the role Canadians, Canada, and CIDA play in international development assistance.

International Development Research Council [IDRC] Grants

IDRC supports research in three broad areas:

  1. Environment and natural resource management
  2. Information and communication technologies for development
  3. Social and economic equity
  4. Awards

Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council [SSHRC]

  "International Opportunities Fund"
Social Sciences and humanities researchers affiliated with Canadian post-secondary institutions may apply for $25,000 CDN Development Grants or $75,000 CDN project grants at any time. Results are announced four times a year (January, April, July, and October).

"Major Collaborative Research Initiative (MCRI)"
This program seeks to, inter alia, foster unique opportunities to collaborate on important international research in which the Canadian team plays the lead role in the direction of the research. International scholars can be invited to join the MCRI team as co-applicants.

"Multiculturalism Program"

This program supports research that will help to inform the development of policies and programs that can both initiate and evaluate social and institutional changes conducive to building a more inclusive and just society.


University Partnerships in Cooperation and Development [UPCD]

The UPCD program provides funding to projects between Canadian universities and education and training organizations in developing countries. The goal is to enhance the latter's institutional capacity to develop the human resources to address their countries' most important development needs in sustainable ways. At the same time, partners respond to the needs of local communities in developing countries.

The program has two tiers: Tier 1 funds large multi-disciplinary projects to which CIDA contributes up to $3 million CDN over six years; Tier 2 funds smaller and more narrowly focused projects, to which CIDA contributes up to $1 million CDN over six years. Tier 1 projects are managed by CIDA whereas Tier 2 projects are managed by AUCC.

The UPCD program does not fund projects based primarily on research. However, some research activities may be included in elements of a project, if they serve to directly strengthen the partner institution and are conducted as a means to an end, but not an end in itself. Activities involve teams at each of the partner organizations, making them institutional linkages, as opposed to individual grants or collaboration between two professors.