Insight Development Grant (IDG)

Insight Development Grants support research in its initial stages. The grants enable the development of new research questions, as well as experimentation with new methods, theoretical approaches and/or ideas.

Insight Development Grants foster research in its early stages, but are not intended to support large-scale initiatives. Long-term support for research is offered through SSHRC’s Insight Grants.

summary

Intended Recipients

Researchers involved in the initial stages of a short-term research project that is developing/exploring new research questions and/or approaches

Duration

1 - 2 years

Additional Information

SSHRC IDG website

Upcoming Competition Deadlines

Budget Justification Review and Internal Peer Review Request

The College of Social Sciences and Humanities and the Research Partner Network are pleased to offer faculty member applicants the possibility of a Budget Justification Review and/or Internal Peer Review to support applications for the Insight Development Grant competition. Participation is voluntary, but past experience shows that pre-submission feedback helps to improve an applicant’s chances of competition success

Budget Review: A team composed of Research Partners, Administration Specialists and College Research Coordinators will provide a Budget Justification Review.

Register here for peer review and/or budget justification review.

• Deadline to send the penultimate version of your application to the budget reviewer - between December 18, 2024 and January 2nd, 2025.

• See detailed deadlines for submission of drafts for Peer Review and Budget Review here.

If these deadlines have passed or if you have questions about the IDG Budget Review, please contact the IDG Research Partner, Dr. Sylvia Madueke

• RAS Internal Review Deadline
  • January 27, 2025 at 4:30 pm MST
• Final Version Submission Deadline
  • Applications must be received at RAS January 27th during core business hours.
  • Final submission deadline and updated documents must be submitted before 10 am (Edmonton time) on Feb. 3rd in the Research portal. RAS staff require time to ensure all applications are forwarded by the sponsor deadline.

For a list of support and resources offered for the 2025 IDG competition, consult the page here.

support and resources

Boot Camp: Insight Development Grant

Boot Camp for the IDG  typically occurs in the Fall and is offered in a 5-7 day format. These sessions provide participants with information on key sections of the Insight Development Grant application, strategies and advice, writing time, and opportunities to exchange their work with peers. Please note that these boot camps are not drop-in sessions; applications are required, and participants must be prepared to attend all sessions.

 

Budget Justification Review

U of A researchers applying as Principal Investigators to the Insight Development Grant competition are eligible to have their proposal scrutinized by a joint team from the Research Partner Network, and the College of Social Sciences and Humanities Office of Research. The BJR team will identify ineligibilities and the 'red flag' items that SSHRC Merit Review Committees tend to question or cut from a budget. This is more that ensuring the arithmetic is correct and student remuneration aligns with collective agreements: we look to see that your budget covers what you need, and that you justify budget requests accordingly. 

Intensive Workshop: Insight Development Grants

This day-long intensive workshop will help participants determine the most important points to emphasize in the key mandatory sections of their Insight Development Grant application. Register here.

Narrative CV

Support for tailoring the new tri-agency narrative CV is forthcoming, spring 2025.

Peer Review Services

U of A researchers applying as Principal Investigators to the Insight Development Grant competition are eligible to have their proposals reviewed by the Panel of SSHRC Peer Reviewers, coordinated by the Office of Research in the College of Social Sciences and Humanities. Deadlines for Peer Review are aligned with those for Budget Justification Review, but the processes are separate.  For more information, please visit CSSH website .

additional resources

• “Think” Stop on Insight Development Grant templates: Goals and Objectives Planning and Methods Planning
• Grant Proposals Presentation: How to Write and Argue Effectively (Part 1 and Part 2)
• Insight Grant and Insight Development Grant Presentation: Advice from an Adjudicator and Successful Applicant
• SSHRC Homepage
• Agreement on the Administration of Agency Grants and Awards by Research Institutions
• New version of Financial Administration Guide
• Guide d'administration financière des trois organismes
• Renewal of the Tri-Agency Financial Administration - U of A part of pilot
• Selecting the Appropriate Federal Granting Agency
• SSHRC Definitions of Terms
• SSHRC Regulations Governing Grant Applications
• SSHRC Merit Review Process
• SSHRC Resource Centre
• SSHRC Guidelines for Support of Tools for Research and Related Activities
• SSHRC Guidelines for Effective Knowledge Mobilization
• SSHRC Indigenous Research Statement of Principles
• SSHRC Guidelines for the Merit Review of Indigenous Research
• SSHRC Research Portal
• RPNet Contact Page
• Researcher Home Page Login