A vision for Canadian research

The Aid to Scholarly Publications Program was born in 1941 through the efforts of a group of Canadian scholars eager to promote the production and dissemination of Canadian research. These scholars, among them noted 20th century public intellectuals Harold Adams Innis and Northrop Frye, felt strongly that the body of Canadian thought, formed and nurtured by research in the humanities and social sciences, needed to be supported and shared. With a $5,000 grant obtained from the US-based Rockefeller Foundation, the group established what was later to become the Aid to Scholarly Publications Program.

During its first decade, the Program funded 33 scholarly books, including works on the history of architecture in Quebec and the aboriginal people of Bella Coola, and several volumes of the Canadian Historical Review,

Canadian public funding for the Program began with the inception of the Canada Council in 1957, enhancing the Program's ability to fund more high-quality Canadian scholarly works. By the end of the 1970's, the Program was being supported by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.

In 2006, SSHRC approved new funding for ASPP. Both the number of books funded and the amount per grant were increased. A distinct stream for translation was also introduced to ensure that works could be made available in other languages. Through the new funding structure, the Program now funds one-hundred-and eighty-five books each year, including up to five works in translation.

Over the years more than 5,000 works have been published with the support of the Program, elevating Canadian scholarship and enhancing the strength and vitality of Canada's academic community.