From advocacy, communications and to services that support the activities of the scholarly community, membership in the Federation offers tangible benefits to participating organizations.

Member Renewal System

Scholarly associations are member-driven organizations. Managing members and ensuring timely, simple renewals is a critical function of your association. The Federation membership renewal system is designed to help you achieve this goal - without the burden of custom technology design.

Creating a simple means for your members to renew their memberships will ensure prompt renewals and continued membership.

A strong national voice for the humanities and social sciences

As the voice of the humanities and social sciences in Canada, the Federation promotes the interests and concerns of researchers to the federal government, policy makers and the media. Issues such as changes to the copyright law, ethics or research funding are central to the health of Canada's scholarly community and require sustained action from our community.

Each year, the Federation meets with key ministers and policy makers and presents briefs to Parliamentary Committees and Party Caucuses. These advocacy meetings are essential as they help ensure Federation members have access to first-hand intelligence and understanding on issues that are critical to them. From time to time, members are invited to participate in the advocacy activities to influence policy affecting research in the human sciences.

Visibility among decision-makers

Through its highly successful breakfast talks on the Hill, the Federation showcases top Canadian research and scholarly work on topics of interest to Canada's parliamentary and policy community. From the impact of economic stimulus packages in recession times and the value of the humanities in the creative economy to Canadian engagement in Afghanistan and climate change, the Federation helps sustain the ongoing dialogue with federal leaders and promote the importance of social sciences and humanities research for Canadians and the global community.

Advancing Canada's scholarly and research enterprise

The Federation contributes to the advancement of Canada's scholarly and research enterprise by representing the interests of its members to the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council in areas such as the Standard Research Grants Program, Aid to Learned Journals, the Aid to Scholarly Publications Program (managed by the Federation) and support for Scholarly Associations.

The Federation maintains close links with SSHRC staff at all levels, helping to ensure that the needs of its members are met. The Federation also plays a key role in mobilizing the community and facilitating its participation in consultations regarding SSHRC, its programs or other research policy issues.

Congress - Excellence, achievement, and connections

The annual Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences is the premier academic event in Canada, offering associations significant opportunities for collaboration and connection with other groups. It also provides delegates with a unique forum for networking with researchers and scholars in every discipline of the humanities and social science community as well as access to the Congress book fair - the largest event of its type in North America. 

Scholarly associations and groups meeting at Congress benefit from a range of professional conference services provided by the Congress Secretariat including the management of registration and financial accounts. In addition to promoting the many sessions and special events organized by associations, a communications team develops and implements communications and media relations campaigns aimed at raising awareness in Canada and around the world of the importance and relevance of social sciences and humanities research.

On a practical note, free space for meeting, workshop and special events is available to member associations.

Review Why Join Congress? A Guide for Scholarly Associations (PDF 733KB) and find out how your association can take part in this exciting conference. 

Funding opportunities available

The Federation offers member associations the opportunity to apply for funds to assist in the planning of their program at Congress. Funding programs include the International Keynote Speaker Support Fund that helps cover the costs of international travel and accommodation for scholars of distinction and the Aid for Interdisciplinary Sessions Program that supports joint sessions involving two or more associations. From year to year, the Federation also works to secure funding from institutions and government departments that provide associations with the opportunity to enhance their programming at Congress.

Participation in Federation stewardship

Every member association and institution selects a representative to the General Assembly which meets annually to review strategic directions and milestones. The Federation Board of Directors is elected from among the representatives of member associations.

Occasionally, the Federation establishes task forces and working groups on matters of concern to the research community, providing more opportunities to provide input and to influence the shaping of research and other policies. Finally, to promote the active participation of every association in Federation work, funding is available to cover the accommodation costs of member representatives at the Annual General Meeting.

Access to a trusted source of information

Federation members receive bulletins, newsletters, and communiqués with information on government policies and other developments at the funding councils affecting the humanities and social sciences. Members also receive copies of all major Federation reports. All information material produced by the Federation is available in both English and French.

Enhanced Media Visibility and Public Outreach

Through ongoing contacts with the media and public outreach activities, the Federation promotes social sciences and humanities research as well as the activities of its members. Each year, millions of Canadians are exposed to stories highlighting the achievements of Canadian scholars. Media relations at Congress 2009 generated more than 650 print and online news stories, reaching millions of people in Canada and around the world.

Support to Canadian Scholarship

Through its Aid to Scholarly Publications Program, the Federation supports the publication of innovative scholarly work, nurtures academic excellence, and promotes the rise of new generations of authors. Its annual Scholarly Book Prizes also recognize the finest scholarly works in the social sciences and humanities as well as the commitment and support of the publishers behind their success.

A dependable resource

As a broker of information on research and organizational matters, the Federation helps promote intersectoral and interdisciplinary connections and exchanges. Thanks to its extensive knowledge of the humanities and social sciences community and experienced staff, the Federation is also able to offer services of direct support to its members. Services such as online membership renewal, discounted teleconferencing rates and advice on administrative matters such as charitable status, liability insurance and best practices are available to every Federation member.