New SSHRC policies in Tri-Agency Financial Administration Guide

New SSHRC policies in Tri-Agency Financial Administration Guide



The three federal research granting agencies are continuing their work to standardize provisions in the Tri-Agency Financial Administration Guide (TAFAG). This email is to inform you that the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) has decided to standardize three of its policies with the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) in the “Use of Grant Funds” section of the TAFAG:



- Honoraria for guest lecturers

Under “Other types of eligible compensation-related expenses,” the TAFAG currently indicates that NSERC and CIHR grantees may charge honoraria for guest lecturers to their research grant accounts. SSHRC grantees will now be able to do the same.

- Travel health insurance for research personnel who do not receive any such benefits from their institutions and/or other sources

Under the “Travel and Subsistence Costs” section of the TAFAG, there is currently a provision for NSERC and CIHR grantees to claim as an eligible expense travel health insurance for research personnel not covered by the institutions or by other means. SSHRC grantees will now be able to claim the same expense.



- Relocation costs for research personnel and their immediate family members

Also under the “Travel and Subsistence Costs” section, there is a provision for NSERC and CIHR grantees to claim relocation costs for research personnel and their immediate family members. SSHRC grantees will now be able to claim the same costs if needed to support their research objectives.



Next steps:

These policy changes will be effective as of April 1, 2010, applying to any of these types of expenditures after that date. SSHRC will update the TAFAG hosted on the NSERC website to include the three changes. The TAFAG, hosted on the NSERC website, will be updated to reflect these changes during the annual TAFAG review in mid-September.



Brent Herbert-Copley

Vice-President, Grants and Fellowships

SSHRC




Gisèle Yasmeen

Vice-President, Partnerships

SSHRC