Sustainable Agriculture Research Initiative Connection Grant (SARI-CG)

The Sustainable Agriculture Research Initiative Connection Grants are a one-time initiative intended to support interdisciplinary and intersectoral events and outreach activities focused on short-term, targeted knowledge mobilization. The goal is to bring together those working to advance and transform sustainable agricultural sectors and food systems in support of Canada’s just transition to a net-zero economy.
 
This is a joint initiative between SSHRC in partnership with the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) and in collaboration with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), to fund research leading to a sustainable, resilient and profitable agriculture sector in a net-zero economy. 
 
The SARI-CG are intended to support events and outreach activities geared toward short-term, targeted knowledge mobilization initiatives, bringing together those working to advance sustainable agricultural sectors and food systems to support a just transition to net-zero in Canada, regardless of whether they have previously been involved in SARI grants or the Network grant.
 
Activities can include workshops, colloquiums, conferences, forums, summer institutes and documentaries, as well as other events or outreach activities that can help to transform Canada’s economy for a sustainable future. The activities will also facilitate the following, aimed specifically at sustainable agriculture and food systems issues:
 
- intersectoral exchanges of research between academia and partners from the public, private and/or not-for-profit sectors in Canada and abroad;
- convene and transfer research knowledge to users currently working in the field, such as farmers, livestock producers and agricultural experts;
- increased accessibility and use of research knowledge within and beyond the postsecondary sector; and
- high-quality training experiences for students and/or postdoctoral researchers.
 
Activities should serve as a bridge between academic research, government and the broader agricultural and food sectors. Exchanges should be interdisciplinary and integrate the social sciences and humanities, natural sciences and engineering, as well as other research fields. Efforts should be made to meet the sectors where they congregate—for example, agricultural exhibitions and fairs, demonstration farms, farm shows, etc.—to ensure knowledge exchange extends beyond academic settings.

Events: $10,000 to $25,000 over 1 year. Outreach activities: $10,000 to $50,000 over 1 year; higher amounts can be considered if well justified

Applicants must demonstrate their ability to secure the minimum matching funds for this initiative. Additional support in the form of eligible cash and/or in-kind contributions (excluding registration fees) equivalent to a minimum of 25% of the amount requested from SSHRC must come from sponsoring organizations.