University of Waterloo researchers welcome partnerships with non-profit/public sector organizations to promote knowledge creation, translation, and dissemination in the public sphere.
Potential partners include exchange networks, non-profit organizations (e.g., charities, foundations, professional associations, social welfare, and advocacy), health centres and service providers, First Nations, Inuit, and Métis, governments, townships, and environmental agencies.
Partnerships with Waterloo researchers provide non-profit and public sector organizations with opportunities to:
- Consult with researchers in a specific field to explore research queries and receive expert advice on how to approach a specific question, topic, action or inaction,
- Perform needs assessments and program evaluations to determine agency needs, strengths, gaps, best practices, and recommendations for moving forward,
- Connect with University centres and networks of researchers to address multifaceted research questions,
- Contribute to and benefit from evidence-based research that can address organizational mandates and priorities (e.g., enhance program/service delivery, identify community gaps, consolidate data to help with future policy decision making, etc.), and
- Leverage resources as part of collaborative research grants (e.g., SSHRC Connection and Partnership grants, CIHR project and foundation schemes, etc.).
Benefits for researchers:
- Leverage resources, expertise, knowledge translation initiatives, and research for partnership funding opportunities, such as SSHRC (connection grants, partnership development grants, partnership grants) and CIHR,
- Collaborate with a diverse group of partners in the local community and abroad to create shared learning that inspires policy decision making,
- Conduct multi-dimensional research by collaborating with multifaceted partners that can collectively address a complex societal problem, question, policy, or need, and
- Create long-lasting relationships that promote public debate, public policy decision making, and societal change.
The Office of Research can also assist researchers interested in applying for Tri-Agency (CIHR, NSERC, and SSHRC) programs that require partnerships.
To learn more, please contact the Senior Manager, Knowledge Mobilization and Partnerships.
Featured partnership:
University of Waterloo & Grand River Hospital research partnership