SSHRC Business Partners

For organizations looking to innovate beyond traditional R&D, connecting with experts in social sciences and humanities can unlock new ways to strengthen products, services, and market reach. The SSHRC Business Partners initiative offers Canadian businesses and nonprofits an opportunity to collaborate with academic researchers whose expertise can help address complex challenges such as consumer behaviour, workforce dynamics, digital adoption, equity, and social impact. Rather than focusing on lab-based innovation, this program supports ideas that are grounded in human insight and real-world application.

Delivered nationally by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, the program is designed for enterprises, SMEs, and nonprofit organizations that want to work alongside researchers to develop and apply new knowledge. These partnerships can support activities like improving customer experiences, expanding into new markets, increasing productivity, or adapting business models to changing social and economic conditions. Funding support is non-repayable and varies depending on the scope and structure of each collaboration, helping offset the costs of research-driven projects that may otherwise be difficult to pursue independently.

Because the program emphasizes collaboration, it is especially relevant for organizations that see value in evidence-based decision-making and long-term innovation. For Canadian organizations interested in exploring how academic partnerships could support their growth or strategic goals, learning more about how the SSHRC Business Partners program works can help determine if it’s the right fit.