I thank you for that question, because I do think that this is really the essence of what you're trying to get at. Indeed, there are many different funding opportunities across the three agencies. In each case, the funding opportunity will be framed to try to achieve different types of outcomes.
The one I was referring to, the insight grants for SSHRC, is considered the traditional investigator-driven research funding opportunity and sets forth what I think are the expected credentials of the researcher—a demonstration that the researcher will have the ability to undertake the research and also a worthwhile question that is well framed, etc.
In contrast, I can say that on the SSHRC side, there are also those funding opportunities that are much more towards collaborations of various types, partnerships of various types. What will then get evaluated is much more the selection of a partner, the fit with a partner, and the partner or collaborator being able to demonstrate a commitment to the endeavour. It really does vary greatly.
There has been a sense that there is an expectation by NSERC of EDI statements, which I think is a slight mis-characterization of what is being asked. Researchers under those discovery grants are expected to engage in the training of their graduate students, of others who are participating in the research in a lab environment and whatnot. What is being asked is that the researcher or principal investigator take on responsibilities towards fairly supporting all who are part of the research endeavour, making sure there are opportunities for the different types of individuals who are participants in the research.
That sort of training plan that is put forward is where we would ask that all be treated equitably; that there be a recognition that the diversity, whether it's backgrounds or academic training and whatnot, will be respected and embraced; and that there be a sense of belonging established in a research environment. It seems a relatively responsible expectation of those who have the responsibility of training the next generation.