The National Housing Strategy Research and Planning Fund provides financial support to not-for-profit organizations, registered charities and Indigenous partners to plan, undertake and share research related to affordable housing in Canada. The fund advances evidence-based research to understand and address housing challenges, with projects often focusing on vulnerable groups in the housing system.

While academic institutions, private organizations and municipal governments are not eligible to apply as lead applicants, they can participate as project partners.

The program has three main objectives:

• Advance evidence-based research that addresses housing challenges in Canada
• Promote collaboration to develop new housing solutions
• Develop research capacity in Canada's housing sector

The fund supports the entire research lifecycle—from planning through execution to knowledge dissemination—through three distinct activity streams:

Planning Activities Stream:

Provides resources to lay the foundation for future research projects. Organizations without direct experience leading research projects are encouraged to apply for this stream.

Funding: Up to $75,000
Duration: Maximum 12 months

Eligible activities include, but are not limited to:

• Stakeholder consultations and citizen engagement activities
• Needs assessments
• Environmental scans or preliminary synthesis of relevant literature, case studies, activities, or programs
• Gatherings of stakeholders and developing partnerships to facilitate regional, national, and/or international collaboration
• Hiring consultants to prepare research applications for groups that lack the capacity to do so independently

Research Projects Stream:

Provides funding to undertake research projects with one or more clearly defined research questions, detailed research methodology, deliverables and a knowledge mobilization plan.

Funding: Up to $250,000
Duration: Maximum 24 months

Eligible research activities include, but are not limited to:

• Literature reviews and environmental scans
• Surveys and interviews
• Evaluations
• Data gathering and analysis
• Profiles and case studies

Knowledge Mobilization Projects Stream:

Supports designing, developing and delivering knowledge mobilization strategies to share research findings from recently completed research projects.

Funding: Up to $75,000
Duration: Maximum 12 months

Eligible activities include, but are not limited to:

• Campaigns
• Presentations
• Mock-ups and models
• In-person or online forums and conferences
• Training and educational seminars
• Engagement and facilitation activities