The Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) is launching a pilot program to help organizations within communities and university institutions combine forces and tackle issues they have identified as being of common, priority concern. SSHRC will provide core funding for a limited number of Community-University Research Alliances (CURAs) to support a diverse range of innovative research, training and related activities that will:

1. Enhance mutual learning and horizontal collaboration between community organizations and universities;
   
2. Contribute to the social, cultural and(or) economic development of communities;
   
3. Enrich research, teaching methods and curricula in universities, and reinforce decision-making and problem solving capacity in the community; or
   
4. Enhance students' education and employability through diverse opportunities to build their expertise and work-force skills in an appropriate research setting.
   

Two competitions are scheduled (one in 1999-2000 and one in 2000-2001) to fund up to 16 CURAs (each to receive up to $200,000 per year for three years, renewable subject to various conditions). Continuation of the program will depend on results of the pilot period and the status of SSHRC's budget. Applications must be submitted jointly by one or more university(ies) and at least one or more organization(s) from the community. All Canadian universities are eligible to apply. Applicants must submit a letter of intent jointly with their partners by April 1, 1999.

For additional information on CURAs: e-mail: cura@sshrc.ca; www.sshrc.ca/programinfo/grantsguide/cura.html.