Application process overview
The application process for the Strategic Science Fund (SSF) involves two critical steps designed to ensure thorough evaluation and selection of the most impactful proposals:
Letter of intent (LOI)
Applicants must submit a summary of their proposal, including total funding requested. Other application requirements can be found in the Letter of Intent Guide.
The LOI will be assessed by the SSF Secretariat, with input from other federal government departments and agencies as needed, based on the following criteria:
- Strategic value aligned with core federal responsibilities and priorities
- Added value to federal science, technology and innovation investments
- Presence at the national level
- ST&I capacity, sound governance and operational efficiency
- Critical role of federal funding
- Demonstrable impact
The SSF Program Management Committee and SSF Steering Committee will decide on which proposals to invite to the full application stage based on the LOI assessment results.
Learn more about the letter of intent stage
Full application
After a positive assessment of the LOI, applicants must complete a detailed proposal. The review process includes:
- Technical review: Each proposal will be evaluated by at least 2 subject matter experts against the program criteria.
- Multidisciplinary expert panel: This panel will consider technical reviews and provide recommendations on a strategic portfolio of organizations to support.
The SSF Steering Committee will make funding recommendations to the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry and the Minister of Health based on the advice of the expert panel and the SSF Program Management Committee.