Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) Storytellers Challenge 2025: (Deadline 21 January, 2025)

Applications are open for the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) Storytellers Challenge 2025. The SSHRC Storytellers Challenge asks postsecondary students to show Canadians, in up to three minutes or 300 words, how social sciences and humanities research is affecting our lives, our world and our future for the better. Tell them about a great SSHRC-funded project happening at your postsecondary institution. Your story must be compelling, creative and clear.

Prizes

Phase 1

• Twenty (20) Applicants in Phase 1 are eligible to receive $3,000 in exchange for SSHRC’s right to use their successful submission as marketing-communications content on SSHRC’s platforms (e.g., website, social media channels).
• The winning applicants of Phase 1 will be considered the 20 finalists. The finalists will be expected to attend an online research communications workshop organized by SSHRC (to be made available in English and French) before finalists present to the jury and to the Storytellers Showcase audience in Phase 2.
• Finalists will be responsible for their travel and accommodation costs to present at the Storytellers Showcase in Fredericton, New Brunswick, and attend the SWCC conference. SSHRC will encourage Finalists’ institutions to support travel and accommodation costs.
• The odds of success in Phase 1 depend on the total number and quality of eligible entries received before the Phase 1 closing date.

Phase 2

• From among the Phase 2 submissions, five (5) Phase 2 submissions will be selected as final winners. The final winners will receive an additional $1,000, in exchange for SSHRC’s right to use their winning submission as marketing-communications collateral.
• The odds of success in Phase 2 will be no less than one in four and will depend on the number of Phase 2 submissions.

The Engagement Prize will consist of $1,000, and the winner will be announced at the Storytellers Showcase, in exchange for SSHRC’s right to use their winning submission as marketing-communications collateral.

Eligibility

• Open to residents of Canada who at the time of entry:
  • are students (undergraduate or graduate) enrolled at a Canadian postsecondary institution; and
  • are nineteen (19) years of age or older (the applicants or applicant). The Challenge is not open to postdoctoral researchers.
• Employees of SSHRC, including immediate family members and/or those living in the same household (whether legally related or not) are not eligible. For the purposes of the Challenge, immediate family members are defined as spouse, domestic partner, parents, legal guardians, in-laws, grandparents, siblings, children and grandchildren.
• Previous winners are eligible to enter the Challenge if:
  • the research featured in their submission is materially different, as determined by SSHRC, from that of their previous winning submission(s); and
  • they meet all other eligibility requirements.

Application

• Create a video or audio clip of up to three minutes or a text or infographic of up to 300 words.
• Submit original work featuring SSHRC-funded research carried out at the institution at which you are enrolled at the time of submission.
• Feature your own research or a teacher’s (make sure you get permission).

The deadline to submit your story is Tuesday, January 21, 2025, 5:00 p.m. (eastern).

Click here to apply

For more information, visit SSHRC Storytellers Challenge.