Why we are asking you to self-identify
Equity, diversity and inclusivity (EDI) strengthen research communities and the quality, social relevance and impact of research. For more information, see the presidents’ Open Letter to the Research Community.
The questions are primarily based on the current standard used by Statistics Canada in the Census, and wording from the Employment Equity Act. If you have comments or suggestions regarding this data collection, please send them to the relevant agency at:
Privacy Notice Statement
SharePoint supports the delivery of certain programs of the federal research funding agencies. The information you provide in the self-identification section is collected under the respective authority of either the NSERC Act, SSHRC Act, or CIHR Act, depending upon whether it is a SSHRC or tri-agency program.
All committee members must complete and submit this self-identification form when serving as a committee member for each term of service; however, you may choose not to self-identify by selecting the option “I prefer not to answer” for some or all of the questions. Although self-identifying is encouraged, choosing not to will have no consequences with regard to your role as a committee member.
The collection, use, disclosure, retention and disposal of your personal information are in accordance with the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act. Your information will be managed in accordance with Treasury Board Secretariat policies, directives and guidelines on information management and protection of personal information, and with the agencies’ retention and disposition schedules.
The self-identification information you provide will be stored electronically upon the submission of this form and access is limited to agency staff on a need to know basis. Your self-identification information is neither accessible to, nor shared with, applicants, external reviewers and/or other selection committee members in an identifiable form.
Your data will be used for the purposes of planning, equity performance measurement and monitoring the participation rate of equity-seeking groups in merit review process, evaluation and audits and may be used in aggregate to report to government or to the public. Self-identification information will be reported in a form (e.g., aggregate) to ensure protection of the identity of any individual. Other potential uses of the data will be to inform targets for future recruitment and the use of disaggregated data to recruit committee members to meet future targets.
Please also see the relevant agency’s Personal Information Banks:
NSERC: PSU 941 and PSU 942 described in NSERC’s Info Source.
SSHRC: PSU 941, PSU 942, and PPU 055 described in SSHRC’s Info Source.
CIHR: PSU 941, PSU 942 as described in CIHR’s Info Source.
If you believe your personal information has been mishandled or have concerns about agency privacy practices, you have the right to file a complaint with the Office of the Privacy Commissioner. For more information about your rights under the Privacy Act, about our privacy practices or to access or correct your personal information, please contact SSHRC’s (and TIPS’) ATIP Coordinator or NSERC's ATIP Coordinator.
By submitting your self-identification information, you are confirming that you have read and understood this Privacy Notice Statement and agree to provide your personal information in accordance with it.
Acronyms used on this page
ATIP: Access to Information and Privacy
PSU: Refers to Public Standard Bank
NSERC: Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council
SSHRC: Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council
CIHR: Canadian Institutes of Health Research
TIPS: Tri-agency Institutional Programs Secretariat