Description

Destination Horizon Grants support researchers affiliated with eligible Canadian post-secondary institutions in building capacity, fostering existing partnerships, and further developing networks and consortia with European Union and other “associated country” researchers. The aim is to prepare for future Horizon Europe – Pillar II calls (research & innovation partnerships). These grants are not intended to fund the implementation of Horizon Europe projects, but rather the preparatory, networking, and partnership-building activities.

Applicants are encouraged (but not required) to consider SSHRC’s Imagining Canada’s Future “future global challenges” in their proposals.

Funding Amount

• Per Project / Maximum SSHRC Contribution: Up to CAD 15,000 for a one-year project.
• Duration: 1 year
• Number of Awards / Total per Competition: 5 awards per competition.
• Matching Requirement: SSHRC will not fund the full cost; cash contributions equivalent to 100% of the amount requested from SSHRC must come from the host institution.

Important Dates

• Upcoming application deadlines: January 22, 2026; May 22, 2026 (8 p.m. Eastern)
• Results announcement: At the end of each funding cycle on SSHRC site.
• Webinars for potential applicants:
  • December 4, 2025, at 1-2:30 PM (Eastern) in English - Register here
  • December 4, 2025, at 11-12:30 PM (Eastern) in French - Register here

Submission Conditions

• Matching funds from the host institution (cash) equivalent to 100% of SSHRC request is mandatory.
• The letter of support from the host organization must satisfy the conditions (signed, confirm value of contribution, confirm support for future Horizon Europe proposals).
• Use of the funds must be clearly allocated (in SSHRC budget categories) and justified; duplication of funding (double counting) is disallowed.
• Applicants must use the SSHRC application instructions; include required documents (CV, budgets, etc.).
• A postsecondary institution may submit no more than three (3) Destination Horizon Grant applications per competition.
• All applications that pass eligibility screening will be entered into a randomized selection process.
• An eligible application not selected in a given competition may be resubmitted in a subsequent competition.

Eligible Applicants

• Applicants must be researchers affiliated with eligible Canadian post-secondary institutions.
• The call permits non-academic partners, including public, private, or not-for-profit sector practitioners, collaborators, etc. (as recipients of intersectoral exchanges) in project roles

Eligible Countries

• Applicants: Must be affiliated with Canadian postsecondary institutions (i.e. Canada).
• Collaborators / Partners: Should be from European Union member states and other “associated countries” (i.e. countries associated with Horizon Europe). SSHRC states the goal is to build collaborations with researchers from the EU and associated countries.