ARCHIVED - RPP 2007-2008
Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada

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Section III: Supplementary Information

3.1 Organizational Information

Figure 2: SSHRC — Corporate Structure and Mandate

SSHRC reports to Parliament through the minister of Industry, who has certain statutory responsibilities regarding, and general oversight of, the Council (Figure 2). SSHRC is governed by a 22-member Board (Figure 3), which the Governor-in-Council appoints to represent the interests of the academic, public and private sectors across Canada. SSHRC’s Board meets regularly, determines program and policy priorities, initiatives, and budget allocations, and monitors their implementation.

As chief executive officer, SSHRC’s President manages day-to-day Council affairs, has a direct relationship with stakeholders and the public, and is accountable for the administration of public funds and for delivering on the Council’s mandate.

Figure 3: SSHRC — Governance and Committee Structure

Six standing Council committees (Figure 3) help chart SSHRC’s direction and ensure that its grants and fellowships programs meet the needs of Canadians:

• The Executive Committee has the authority to act for SSHRC’s Board in policy, procedural, human resources and administrative matters.
• The Audit Committee reviews the Council’s operations budget and audit plan, and the scope, findings and recommendations of independent studies carried out in accordance with professional standards. It also reviews and makes recommendations regarding the approval of SSHRC’s annual financial statements.
• The Performance and Evaluation Committee assists the Council in developing and implementing performance-measurement, management and reporting strategies, including a Results-Based Management and Accountability Framework. The committee also reviews the Council’s evaluation plans and makes recommendations regarding completed evaluations.
• The Research Support Committee provides policy and administrative advice to SSHRC’s Board and staff on research, strategic and dissemination programs. It also monitors peer-review processes and competition results.
• The Fellowships and Career Development Committee advises the Board and guides staff on research training issues.
• The Ethics and Integrity Committee provides policy and administrative advice to the Board and staff on research ethics and research integrity issues.
• Finally, as required and appropriate, the Council creates ad hoc advisory committees and working groups on specific questions within its mandate.

In addition to these corporate committees, SSHRC also has selection committees made up of university-based researchers and, where appropriate, experts from outside the academic community to adjudicate applications to SSHRC programs in accordance with the principles of rigorous peer review based on excellence. Each year, between 400 and 450 scholars and experts volunteer to serve on selection committees to assess thousands of research proposals and to make recommendations, based on academic excellence and other key criteria, about which projects to fund. About 5,000 other Canadian and international experts provide written assessments of proposals to help the selection committees in their decision making.

In SSHRC’s organizational structure, accountability for program activities runs along the following lines (Figure 4): as chief executive officer, the President is accountable for the overall administration of public funds and for delivering on SSHRC’s substantive mandate. The Executive Vice-President, Vice-President (Grants and Fellowships), Vice-President (Partnerships), Director General (Common Administrative Services Directorate), and Executive Director (Canada Research Chairs Secretariat) report to the President and are accountable for the program sub-activities in their respective portfolios.

Early in 2006, SSHRC undertook a review of its corporate governance. The results of the review were delivered to Council in June 2006 and were referred to an ad hoc Council committee on governance for detailed review and the development of an action plan. The new President has taken a leadership role in promoting a broader societal representation within the membership of its governing Council, with the objective of creating a balance between academic and non-academic perspectives. He has also led the Council’s  consideration of having a member of Council other than the President preside over Council meetings. This would improve the ability of the governing Council to provide independent oversight of SSHRC’s activities, and impartial guidance to the President and Chief Executive Officer. The above changes would better reflect current best practices in public and private sector governance, while respecting the President’s direct and ongoing accountability to the Minister of Industry and to Parliament, as provided in the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council Act. SSHRC will continue to further develop and implement its governance-renewal action plan in 2007-2008.

For regular Council programs, Table 11 below shows the accountability for operational matters at the branch level, in accordance with SSHRC’s Program Activity Architecture. For programs SSHRC administers on behalf of Canada’s three granting agencies, Table 11 indicates which entity is accountable for decisions about program and policy priorities, initiatives, budget allocations, and monitoring the implementation of decisions.

Figure 4: SSHRC — Accountability for Program Activities and Organizational Structure

Table 11: Accountability for Program Activities and Sub-Activities

Program Activity	Program Sub-Activity	Accountability
Strategic Outcome (SO) 1.0 People – A First-Class Research Capacity in the Social Sciences and Humanities
1.1 Fellowships, Scholarships and Prizes	1.1.1 Canada Graduate Scholarships	Vice-President, Grants and Fellowships
	1.1.2 Doctoral Fellowships
	1.1.3 Postdoctoral Fellowships
	1.1.4 Prizes and Special Fellowships
1.2 Canada Research Chairs	1.2.1 Canada Research Chairs Program	Executive Director, Canada Research Chairs Secretariat
SO 2.0 Research – New Knowledge Based on Excellent Research in the Social Sciences and Humanities
2.1 Investigator-Framed Research	2.1.1 Standard Research Grants	Vice-President, Grants and Fellowships
	2.1.2 Major Collaborative Research Initiatives
2.2 Targeted Research and Training Initiatives	2.2.1 Strategic Research Grants	Vice-President, Partnerships
	2.2.2 Strategic Joint Initiatives
	2.2.3 Initiative on the New Economy
2.3 Strategic Research Development	2.3.1 Research Development Initiatives
	2.3.2 Community-University Research Alliances
	2.3.3 SSHRC Institutional Grants	Vice-President, Grants and Fellowships
	2.3.4 Aid to Small Universities
	2.3.5 General Support
	2.3.6 International Opportunities Fund	Vice-President, Partnerships
	2.3.7 BOREAS
SO 3.0 Knowledge Mobilization – The Transfer, Dissemination and Use of Knowledge in the Social Sciences and Humanities
3.1 Research Communication and Interaction	3.1.1 Aid to Scholarly Publications Program	Vice-President, Grants and Fellowships
	3.1.2 Aid to Research Workshops and Conferences in Canada
	3.1.3 Aid to Research and Transfer Journals
	3.1.4 Aid and Attendance Grants to Scholarly Associations
	3.1.5 Strategic Knowledge Clusters	Vice-President, Partnerships
	3.1.6 Networks of Centres of Excellence
	3.1.7 Knowledge Impact in Society
SO 4.0 – Institutional Environment: A Strong Canadian Research Environment
4.1 Indirect Costs of Research	4.1.1 Indirect Costs Program	Executive Director, Canada Research Chairs Secretariat

3.2 Resource Requirements and Management Policies

Table 12: Planned Spending by Program Activity for Estimate Year

2007-2008
Program Activity   ($ millions)	Budgetary			Non-Budgetary	Total Main Estimates	Adjust- ments (Planned Spending not in Main Estimates)	Total Planned Spending
	Opera- ting	Grants and Contri- butions	Net	Loans, Invest- ments and Advances
SO 1.0 People — A First-Class Research Capacity in the Social Sciences and Humanities
1.1: Fellowships, Scholarships and Prizes	3.2	99.1	102.3	-	102.3	0.0	102.3
1.2: Canada Research Chairs	2.6	59.2	61.8	-	61.8	0.0	61.8
SO 2.0 Research — New Knowledge Based on Excellent Research in the Social Sciences and Humanities
2.1: Investigator-Framed Research	5.5	85.1	90.6	-	90.6	0.0	90.6
2.2: Targeted Research and Training Initiatives	4.5	12.9	17.4	-	17.4	0.0	17.4
2.3: Strategic Research Development	4.0	20.7	24.7	-	24.7	0.0	24.7
SO 3.0 Knowledge Mobilization — The Transfer, Dissemination and Use of Knowledge in the Social Sciences and Humanities
3.1: Research Communication and Interaction	1.6	20.8	22.4	-	22.4	0.0	22.4
Subtotal	21.4	297.8	319.2	-	319.2	0.0	319.2
SO 4.0 Institutional Environment — A Strong Canadian Research Environment
4.1: Indirect Costs Program	1.0	299.1	300.1	-	300.1	0.0	300.1
Total	22.4	596.9	619.3	-	619.3	0.0	619.3

All of SSHRC’s program activities contribute to achieving the Government of Canada’s “innovative and knowledge-based economy” outcome.

Table 13: Departmental Planned Spending and Full-Time Equivalents

($ millions)	Forecast Spending 2006-2007	Planned Spending 2007-2008	Planned Spending 2008-2009	Planned Spending 2009-2010
Fellowships, Scholarships and Prizes	101.5	102.3	102.3	102.3
Canada Research Chairs	61.8	61.8	61.8	61.8
Investigator-Framed Research	89.5	90.6	90.6	90.6
Targeted Research and Training Initiatives	23.7	17.4	12.5	12.8
Strategic Research Development	24.0	24.7	24.7	24.7
Research Communication and Interaction	20.7	22.4	22.4	22.4
Indirect Costs Program	260.1	300.1	300.1	300.1
Total Main Estimates	581.3	619.3	614.4	614.7
Adjustments:
Supplementary Estimates
Carry-Forward from 2005-06	0.9	-	-	-
2006 Federal Budget - SSHRC	6.0	-	-	-
2006 Federal Budget - Indirect Costs Program	40.0	-	-	-
Compensation for Collective Bargaining:	0.1	-	-	-
Transfer from Sport Canada — Sport Participation Research Initiative	0.5	-	-	-
Transfer from Citizenship and Immigration Canada — Immigration and the Metropolis Project	0.3	-	-	-
Transfer from Fisheries and Oceans Canada — Ocean Management Research Network	0.3	-	-	-
Transfer to the Royal Military College — Indirect Costs Program	-1.2	-	-	-
Transfer to the Royal Military College — Salary Portion of Canada Research Chairs Program	-0.2	-	-	-
Expenditure-Review Procurement Savings	-0.1	-	-	-
Frozen Allotment: Freeze in the Social Economy Program	-0.4	-	-	-
Total Adjustments	46.2	0.0	0.0	0.0
Total Planned Spending	627.5	619.3	614.4	614.7
Total Planned Spending	627.5	619.3	614.4	614.7
Less: Non-Respendable Revenue	1.8	1.8	1.8	1.8
Plus: Cost of Services Received Without Charge	3.1	3.1	3.1	3.1
Net cost of Program	628.8	620.6	615.7	616.0
Full-Time Equivalents	183	190	190	190

Table 14: Voted and Statutory Items Listed in Main Estimates

2006-2008
Vote or Statutory Item	Truncated Vote or Statutory Wording	2007-2008 Main Estimates ($ thousands )	2006-2007 Main Estimates ($ thousands )
80	Operating expenditures	19,993	19,616
85	Grants	596,984	559,445
(S)	Contributions to employee benefit plans	2,283	2,260
	Total	619,260	581,321

Table 15: Services Received Without Charge

2007-2008
($ millions)	Total
Accommodation provided by Public Works and Government Services Canada	2.0
Contributions covering employer’s share of employees’ insurance premiums and expenditures paid by Treasury Board Secretariat (excluding revolving funds)	1.0
Workers’ compensation coverage provided by Human Resources and Social Development Canada	-
Salary and associated expenditures of legal services provided by the Department of Justice Canada	-
Other services provided without charge	0.1
Total 2007-2008 Services Received Without Charge	3.1

Table 16: Sources of Non-Respendable Revenue

Non-Respendable Revenue
($ millions)	Forecast Revenue 2006-2007	Planned Revenue 2007-2008	Planned Revenue 2008-2009	Planned Revenue 2009-2010
Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council
Fund Basic Research
Refunds of Previous Years' Expenditures	1.8	1.8	1.8	1.8
Total Non-Respendable Revenue	1.8	1.8	1.8	1.8

Table 17: Details on Transfer Payments Programs: Grants, Contributions and Other Transfer Payments

Over the next three years, SSHRC will manage the following transfer payment programs in excess of $5 million:

2007-2008

1. Grants and Scholarships
2. Canada Graduate Scholarships
3. Indirect Costs Program

2008-2009

1. Grants and Scholarships
2. Canada Graduate Scholarships
3. Indirect Costs Program

2009-2010

1. Grants and Scholarships
2. Canada Graduate Scholarships
3. Indirect Costs Program

For more information on the above-mentioned transfer payments programs, see http://www.sshrc.ca/web/about/publications/publications-eng.asp and
http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/est-pre/estime.asp .

SSHRC: Details on Transfer Payments Programs 2007-2008 – 2009-2010

Table 1: Grants and Scholarships

Name of Transfer Payment Program	Grants and Scholarships (voted)
	Start Date	1978	End Date	No end date
Description	This transfer payment program consists of grants and scholarships awarded for research, research training, and research dissemination activities in the social sciences and humanities
Strategic Outcomes	A first-class research capacity in the social sciences and humanities New knowledge based on excellent research in the social sciences and humanities The transfer, dissemination and use of knowledge in the social sciences and humanities
Expected Results	Enhanced capacity in the social sciences and humanities from the supply of highly qualified people with leading-edge research skills for knowledge-intensive careers in universities, industry, government and other sectors of the economy Knowledge based on excellent research in the social sciences and humanities to better understand the world and address complex and pressing societal issues Enhanced linkages between researchers, and connections between researchers and users, to achieve effective knowledge mobilization and impact, with economic and social benefits for Canadian society

Program Activity Category ($ millions)	Forecast Spending 2006-2007	Planned Spending 2007-2008	Planned Spending 2008-2009	Planned Spending 2009-2010
Fellowships, Scholarships and Prizes (Grants) Total	$36.1	$36.1	$36.1	$36.1
Canada Research Chairs (Grants) Total	$59.0	$59.2	$59.2	$59.2
Investigator-Framed Research (Grants) Total	$85.1	$85.1	$85.1	$85.1
Targeted Research and Training Initiatives (Grants) Total	$22.0	$12.9	$8.1	$8.4
Strategic Research Development (Grants) Total	$21.0	$20.7	$20.7	$20.7
Research Communication and Interaction (Grants) Total	$20.3	$20.8	$20.8	$20.8
Total	$243.5	$234.8	$230.0	$230.3
Planned Audits and Evaluations, 2007-2008	Evaluation of the Initiative on the New Economy program Doctoral Fellowships program evaluation Aboriginal Research pilot program evaluation Research/Creation Grants in Fine Arts pilot program evaluation Audit of the adequacy and effectiveness of the human resources function Audit of controls over the integrity of information in the Departmental Performance Report Audit of financial controls in accounting and awards administration Audit of the effectiveness and efficiency of the administration of the investigator-framed research programs Audit of compliance with risk-management and active-monitoring policies and guidelines Audit of compliance with security and occupational safety policy and standards

Table 2: Canada Graduate Scholarships

Name of Transfer Payment Program	Canada Graduate Scholarships (voted)
	Start Date	2003	End Date	No end date
Description	This transfer payment program supports 1,200 doctoral students and 1,200 master’s students in the social sciences and humanities
Strategic Outcomes	A reliable supply of highly qualified personnel to meet the needs of Canada’s knowledge economy
Expected Results	Increased incentives for students to enrol in and complete master’s and/or PhD studies in a timely manner Improved access to scholarships to complete master’s and/or PhD studies  Increased retention of the next generation of researchers by Canadian universities Highly qualified personnel, who are expert in research, available to pursue various knowledge-intensive careers within industry, government and other sectors of the economy

Program Activity Category ($ millions)	Forecast Spending 2006-2007	Planned Spending 2007-2008	Planned Spending 2008-2009	Planned Spending 2009-2010
Fellowships, Scholarships and Prizes (Grants) Total	$63.0	$63.0	$63.0	$63.0
Planned Audits and Evaluations, 2007-2008	An evaluation of the Canada Graduate Scholarships program is being led by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)

Table 3: Indirect Costs of Research

Name of Transfer Payment Program	Indirect Costs of Research (voted)
	Start Date	2003	End Date	No end date
Description	This transfer payment program supports a portion of the indirect costs associated with the conduct of academic research in institutions that receive research grant funds from any of the three federal granting agencies; grants are awarded to eligible institutions using a progressive funding formula based on the average revenues from research grants received from CIHR, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada and SSHRC
Strategic Outcomes	The program will contribute to: the attractiveness of the Canadian research environment compliance with regulatory requirements the transfer of knowledge and commercialization; and Canada’s economic growth and improved quality of life, and Canadian research excellence and capacity
Expected Results	The provision of well-equipped research facilities, including the operation and maintenance of these facilities, and the technical support of equipment The provision of world-class research resources, including support for multidisciplinary research and international collaboration The effective management and administration of the research enterprise Increased ability to meet regulatory requirements related to international accreditation standards in research, including standards that govern ethical treatment of human subjects in medical and social sciences research, animal care, the handling of hazardous materials, and environmental protection The effective transfer of knowledge, including commercialization activities and the management of intellectual property generated by research activities

Program Activity Category ($ millions)	Forecast Spending 2006-2007	Planned Spending 2007-2008	Planned Spending 2008-2009	Planned Spending 2009-2010
Indirect Costs of Research (Grants) Total	$297.9	$299.1	$299.1	$299.1
Planned Audits and Evaluations	Launch of summative evaluation of the Indirect Costs Program (to be completed May 2009)

 

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