1. Funding
  2. Strategic Funds and Initiatives
  3. Strategic Innovation Fund
  4. Partnerships

Partnerships

We’re also exploring partnerships across sectors to help arts organizations, groups or collectives find creative solutions to complex social problems and amplify the reach of the Strategic Innovation Fund.

Stay tuned for more information about partnership opportunities or contact us at innovationfund@canadacouncil.ca.

The College and Community Social Innovation Fund 

Community development. Social justice. Climate change… and more.

Is your arts group interested in collaborating with a college in Canada to help solve today’s complex problems? The Canada Council for the Arts has once again partnered with the National Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada on the College and Community Social Innovation Fund (CCSIF) to support projects that promote social innovation in communities.

How does it work?

The goal of the CCSIF is to support research projects that promote social innovation in communities across Canada and to leverage the power and perspective of the arts sector in finding solutions to big problems.

Arts organizations and groups can take advantage of an annual grant of up to $75,000 per year for up to three years to support their participation in the CCSIF research project, to connect with college talent and facilities and to move forward on social progress.

Be inspired by your arts colleagues

Arts groups that have already taken advantage of CCSIF funding in the name of change include:

  • Comox Valley Art Gallery, who partnered with North Island College on a community-engaged, arts-informed research project on the human aspects of the toxic drug poisoning crisis in rural British Columbia.
  • Concerts in Care Ontario, who partnered with Sheridan College on a project that looked at using arts and creativity in health promotion and mental health recovery in long-term care.
  • La Compagnie des autres, who partnered with the École nationale de cirque, on a project initiated and directed by Geneviève Dupéré exploring the complexity of the St. Lawrence ecosystem in collaboration with science, maritime industries and circus arts.

How do I apply?

The Canada Council and the National Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) offer a joint submission and review process for CCSIF applications.

You have until February 26, 2025, to submit your application.

If you already have a valid Canada Council for the Arts applicant profile, you can participate in this joint funding opportunity by submitting a dedicated budget form, which will be provided as part of the primary applicant’s CCSIF application.

To find out more