In keeping with its ongoing evaluation of programs, the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) is undertaking an external evaluation of the SSHRC Postdoctoral Fellowships funding opportunity. The evaluation will assess the results of the funding opportunity over the past 15 years, in terms of its relevance, design and delivery. It is also hoped that this study will provide much valuable information that can be communicated widely on the results and achievements of SSHRC Postdoctoral Fellowships-funded research, as well as areas for potential improvements.
SSHRC has contracted Goss Gilroy Inc., an independent research firm, to conduct the evaluation. The research will be based on several lines of evidence, including a web survey, focus groups, expert panel review, interviews and case studies.
The assessment may also provide other potential lessons to SSHRC, and to the Canadian social sciences and humanities community on:
- the ongoing relevance of the SSHRC Postdoctoral Fellowships funding opportunity to the Canadian social sciences and humanities research community;
- the impacts and results of SSHRC postdoctoral funded research, and its contribution to building knowledge and understanding; and
- the design and delivery of the SSHRC Postdoctoral Fellowships funding opportunity.
As part of the evaluation, current and former postdoctoral researchers who applied for postdoctoral fellowship funding between 1994 and 2010 will be surveyed. The web survey will take between 10 and 20 minutes to complete (depending on your responses), and the deadline for completion is Monday, September 12th, 2011. Award holders, as well as those who were unsuccessful or declined the award, are invited to register here to participate or by visiting www.ggi.ca.
We encourage all those contacted to participate in this important and timely evaluation.
For more information, please contact:
Nicole Michaud
Senior Performance and Evaluation Officer
Corporate Performance and Evaluation Division
SSHRC
Email: nicole.michaud@sshrc-crsh.gc.ca
Telephone: 613-943-9318
