The National Housing Strategy Research and Planning Fund provides support to the following organizations undertaking housing research:
- not-for-profit organizations
- registered charities
- Indigenous governments and organizations
National Housing Strategy Research and Planning Fund objectives are to:
- build collaboration, engagement and alignment with stakeholders
- support the housing community’s research capacity development
This stakeholder-focused funding opportunity helps promote engagement in housing research outside of government by:
- developing solutions to improve affordable housing for communities across Canada
- supporting data development
- cultivating and supporting highly focused expertise to rapidly overcome challenges
This fund provides $750,000 annually to fund new and ongoing projects in 4 activity streams:
- individual research projects: up to $100,000.
- programs of research: up to $250,000 for a program which can be distributed over 2 years
- planning activities: up to $50,000
- knowledge mobilization projects: up to $50,000
For all streams, you must provide a minimum of 25% (cash and/or in-kind contributions) of the total project cost.
The budget available for this initiative is subject to availability of funds. These funds are determined by an annual vote by parliamentary appropriations and the conditions that may be attached to them.
Duration:
Funds must be used within 2 years of release.
In-kind contributions:
The total project cost will be the CMHC fund request plus the in-kind contributions. Ultimately, CMHC’s contribution is a maximum 75% of the total project cost.
The types of in-kind contributions that are recognized and considered eligible are:
- equipment
- access to unique databases/software
- professional, analytical, or other services
- employee salaries (for example, the salary of an employee not listed on the application form)
- use of facilities
- materials and technology
- licenses
Eligible activities include:
1. Individual research projects
Projects may include (but are not limited to) research activities such as:
- literature reviews
- environmental scans (domestic and international)
- surveys and interviews
- testing
- evaluations
- data gathering and analysis
- profiles
- case studies
- reporting findings
Funding can also be used to help hire consultants to conduct this work.
2. Programs of research
A program of research includes more than one coordinated and connected research project. These projects are conducted in parallel or successively, to collectively advance knowledge in a particular topic or theme. Programs of research seek to leverage the findings from multiple research projects to more completely assess and advance knowledge.
3. Planning activities
Activities may include, but are not limited to the following:
- stakeholder consultations, including citizen engagement activities
- environmental scan or preliminary synthesis of relevant literature, activities or programs
- gatherings of stakeholders to facilitate regional, national and/or international collaboration among individuals or groups from a variety of backgrounds
- hiring consultants to prepare research applications for groups that don’t have the capacity to do so on their own
4. Knowledge mobilization projects
Activities may include, but are not limited to the following:
- designing, developing and delivering knowledge mobilization strategies such as:
- brochures
- posters
- presentations
- mock-ups and models
- in person or on-line forums
- information sharing platforms
- educational seminars
- engagement and facilitation activities
You can submit a project that is part of a larger initiative, however, the application must clearly identify:
- the activities and deliverables of the proposed project (distinct from the larger initiative)
- what incremental work CMHC is being asked to fund (distinct from other sources of funding)
*Note: Applications will be evaluated for the project for which CMHC funding is requested, not on the larger initiative.
Budget
The budget should be broken down by fiscal year (April 1 to March 31), project phases (if applicable) and key deliverables. It should describe all:
- costs associated with the proposed project activities
- proposed sources of revenue for these activities
The budget must be inclusive of taxes if applicable.
Reasonable overhead costs are an allowable budget line item.
There is no maximum or minimum allocation for administrative overhead. The reasonableness of the overhead cost will be assessed by the proposal evaluation committee by considering: .
- the overhead cost relative to the overall funding request
- the cost compared to other projects of similar nature, size and complexity that have been funded
*Note: All travel costs must reflect the most economic means available for transportation, accommodation and facilities. Compensation rates for vehicle use, meals, etc. must comply with applicant organization's standards, but cannot exceed federal government rates.