Registration is open for Faculty Learning Community: Advancing Equity in the Classroom.
Sessions begin January 2027.
On this page: CIHR | NSERC | SSHRC
To create a culture where EDI considerations are integrated into all aspects of research, the three grant agencies have set out the Tri-Agency EDI Action Plan for 2018–2025. The Action Plan is outcome-oriented and provides performance indicators.
The strategy is complemented by the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) in Action at CIHR: CIHR's Equity Strategy (2016), CIHR Strategic Plan 2021-2031: A Vision for a Healthier Future (2021), and Tri-Council policy documents on issues such as Fairness and Equity in Research Participation (2018) and Research Involving the First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples of Canada (2018).
EDI principles are also included in two of the five New Frontiers in Research Fund (NFRF) evaluation criteria. A guide for applicants to New Frontiers in Research Fund competitions- Best Practices in Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in Research (2021) helps applicants incorporate EDI principles into their proposed research teams and projects.
Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)/Tri-Agencies
Equity, diversity and inclusion resources
This webpage compiles all EDI-related links relevant to those applying for the CIHR funding opportunities. It contains documents on topics such as EDI in research design and practice, EDI in the research environment, Indigenous community-based research reducing bias in peer review, as well as EDI and research excellence.
CIHR requires that all research designs include a sex (biological) and gender-based (socio-cultural) analysis or a strong rationale for why this has not been done. The Nominated Primary Applicant must also complete a CIHR gender-based analysis online training module: CIHR - Integrating Sex & Gender in Health Research (2019).
Natural Sciences Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC)
This guide provides information and resources on
- How to focus on research content and to adopt an EDI lens at each stage of the research process.
- Setting out research questions
- Designing the study
- Planning and implementing methodology and data collection
- Conducting analysis and interpretation
- Disseminating results
- How to focus on building diverse research teams, as well as to create a research environment that is more accessible, inclusive and provides equitable opportunities to all members of the research team. EDI considerations for research teams should be considered from the beginning and at all stages of the research, which include:
- Recruitment processes;
- Building EDI capacity and knowledge of the team;
- Retention and team environment;
- Roles and responsibilities within the research teams pertaining to research design, research execution, analysis and interpretation of findings, and dissemination of results.
Alliance Grants
This resource provides instructions on how to describe specific, concrete practices that applicants put in place to ensure that EDI is intentionally and proactively supported in their project's training plan. It is important to note that a failure to provide relevant EDI information for Alliance applications will result in the rejection of the application. These EDI considerations are included as part of training portion of the evaluation criteria. Practices that have or will be put in place to support principles of EDI within the team will be assessed in the review process.
Social Science and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC)
This tool is part of SSHRC' ongoing commitment and action to strengthen equity, diversity and inclusion in research. It presents data based on a voluntary self-identification questionnaire of applicants presented in an interactive interface for every competition year as of 2018.
Guide to Addressing Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Considerations in Partnership Grant Applications (2021)
This guide outlines expectations and provides definitions, examples, guiding questions, and resources for Partnership Grant applicants to draw on when incorporating EDI considerations in the development of their partnerships and conceptualization of their research projects.
This guide outlines expectations and provides definitions, examples, guiding questions and resources for incorporating diversity considerations in research design for Doctoral and Postdoctoral applicants.
SSHRC Indigenous Research Statement of Principles (2019)
These principles recognize indigenous research as including a “wide range of unique theoretical and methodological approaches” and supports them as a part of its commitment to scholarly excellence.