Nearly 80 institutions across Canada are part of the Federation, demonstrating a shared commitment to support the humanities and social sciences.
HSS programs across the country are facing profound pressures, including declining enrolment, budget reductions, and heightened scrutiny of academic freedom. Federation membership allows your institution to inform and engage in sector dialogue, access shared expertise, and reinforce the long-term vitality of your HSS departments, faculties, and scholars.
Beyond voting rights at the Federation’s Annual Meeting, institutions benefit from:
- Coordinated advocacy that represents your institution’s HSS priorities in national policy
- Capacity building that supports leaders, faculty, students, and research units
- Convening opportunities that strengthen collaboration across the HSS sector
Explore your membership
Advocacy and policy influence
Your institution benefits from a coordinated national presence that advances the role of the humanities and social sciences in federal policy and the broader postsecondary landscape.
We bring institutional perspectives to federal ministers and their officials, national consultations, parliamentary committees, federal budget processes, and cross-sector initiatives that shape policy affecting enrolment, research, and funding. Explore how and where we're advocating for Canadian research.
Members can submit priority policy issues for consideration. These submissions inform how the Federation develops public positions on matters affecting the HSS community. Submit.
By participating in Federation advocacy, your institution signals the essential role of HSS education and research in Canada’s future.
Public visibility and communications
Your institution’s contributions to HSS research and innovation gain increased national visibility.
We showcase your institutional initiatives and research impacts through the Federation’s newsletter and social media channels to an audience of up to 60,000+.
Contact communications@federationhss.ca to share initiatives for amplification.
Insitution members’ leaders and scholars can be invited as guests or submit topics, offering a platform to engage public audiences with leading HSS ideas. Discover the Big Thinking Podcast and submit your ideas.
Highlight the work of your press at Federation events, including Congress, which hosts Expo, Canada’s largest showcase of scholarly books and publishing.
Contact expo@federationhss.ca for exhibiting details.
Beginning in 2026, institutional members will receive annual reporting that highlights the engagement and reach generated through Federation membership.
Funding, awards, and recognition
Your institution can access funding and national recognition programs that elevate the work of faculty and students.
Eligibility for publication, translation, and open access grants that recognize and support outstanding scholarship. Learn more.
Your scholars’ books are eligible for Canada’s foremost humanities and social sciences publication award, offering national recognition that strengthens their reach and influence. Learn more.
As a nominating partner, the Federation invites members to recommend HSS innovators whose work strengthens Canada’s innovation landscape. Learn more and see our past winners.
Merit-based support for graduate students participating in Congress.
Support for faculty, staff, and students who require caregiving assistance to take part in academic events.
Learn more about funding for event attendees [Coming soon].
Professional services and operational support
Practical support helps your teams, research offices, presses, and academic units operate effectively and engage more deeply with the national HSS community.
Beginning in 2026, the Federation will offer opportunities for institutional leaders to explore new strategies for advancing and engaging the HSS within their institutions.
Contact membership@federationhss.ca for more information.
Through the Scholarly Book Awards and Expo, your presses gain recognition and channels to highlight scholarly publishing excellence.
Convening and academic gatherings
Your institution gains access to national convening opportunities that strengthen networks and position HSS as a driver of societal advancement and policy engagement.
Collaborate with the Federation on high profile events that shape postsecondary education.
Participate in co-designed, high-impact gatherings that address a single core issue. These one- to two-day convenings bring 50–100 participants together to discuss emerging challenges and identify actionable paths forward.
Join academics, policymakers, and community leaders from across Canada at the 2026 Summit in Edmonton.
The Federation is a hub for networking and resource-sharing among Canadian HSS leadership. Beginning in 2026, the Federation will re-establish a Council of Deans in the HSS, convening Deans of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences on a regular basis to build a professional network with structured opportunities to share expertise, collaborate across institutions, and learn from one another’s successes and challenges.
Contact membership@federationhss.ca for more information.
Planning support begins in summer 2026 as institutions and scholarly associations prepare for Congress under the Federation’s new Strategic Plan and consultations from the Reimagining Congress Task Force.
Connect with us
Our strength is collective. To join Canada’s HSS network, visit Become a member or contact membership@federationhss.ca.