Open Research Area 7th Call for Proposals

The seventh round of Open Research Area (ORA) for the Social Sciences is based on an agreement among the ANR, France; the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG), Germany; the Economic and Social Research Council of UK Research and Innovation (ESRC), UK; and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), Canada.

With the goals of funding high-quality research within their own countries and strengthening international co-operation by working with some of the best researchers internationally, ANR, DFG, ESRC and SSHRC are launching a seventh ORA call for proposals in order to fund the best joint research projects. The scheme will provide funding for integrated projects by researchers coming from at least three of the four subscribing countries.

Proposals may involve any of the disciplines, thematic areas or approaches eligible for SSHRC funding. However, the disciplinary coverage varies according to the involvement of the national agencies. Applicants who are uncertain of whether their proposal would be eligible should contact the relevant national agencies for clarification.

There is also a special opportunity for co-operation with projects in Japan. With the aim of strengthening co-operation between researchers in Japan and ORA partners, the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS), as the national funding organization of Japan, offers a funding scheme to support projects associated with ORA. For details on the Japanese call, please visit the JPSP’s website.

ORA 7 will have a new format as compared to earlier ORA funding opportunities. This competition will follow a one-stage, one-application process consisting of a full proposal with a deadline date of November 17, 2021.

National funding agencies will fund proposals according to their respective policies and regulations and the affiliation of the researchers. Canadian teams participating in successful ORA 7 international projects will be funded by SSHRC based on the funding request outlined in the SSHRC National Financial Form.