Disclaimer: In the event of an election, the timing of the program may be delayed.
Overview
This year marks the fifth Science Meets Parliament Program since its inauguration in 2018. Since its launch in 2018, the program has expanded to the provinces, with the first-ever SMP-BC in April 2024 and now the expansion to Ontario as well in 2025. This program is a high-impact opportunity for researchers in Canada to develop skills and experience in science policy, meet with parliamentarians, learn about policymaking and strengthen their relationship with parliamentarians. Science Meets Parliament 2025 invites researchers from all disciplines and fields, including medical and natural sciences, engineering, social sciences and humanities, to spend a day in federal or provincial legislations, participate in one-on-one meetings with MPs, Senators, MLAs and MPPs. Delegates will gain practical knowledge of the inner workings of political policy making, broaden their professional networks to include influential members of the science and policy communities, enhance their communication skills for new contexts and audiences, and carry their experiences back to share with their home institutions.
This program has proven to strengthen the connections between Canada’s scientific and political communities, while providing an excellent opportunity for researchers to learn about the inclusion of scientific evidence in policy making in Parliament. This initiative is not meant to be an advocacy exercise, and will not include any discussion of science funding or other forms of advocacy.
Investment impact:
This program relies only on the sponsorship and delegates registration fees. By Sponsoring Science Meets Parliament, your organization will:
- Gain Institutional Recognition: As a forward-thinking and leading institution that is actively involved in advancing the science-policy interface and contributing to the public good.
- Empower Future Leaders: Inspire early-career researchers by demonstrating the importance of their role in the science-policy interface, creating a pipeline of future leaders equipped to connect with policymakers.
- Support Professional Development of early career research, with unique opportunities to learn about the legislative process and develop skills in communicating complex scientific information to non-expert audiences.
- Bridge the Gap: Facilitate direct interaction between scientists and policymakers, enabling researchers to share their expertise and contribute to evidence-based policy-making.
The Science Meets Parliament 2025 program will include:
- A mandatory orientation session that includes information about the business of Parliament and exercises that prepare delegates to speak with politicians
- Virtual workshops on science policy evidence-based decision making, science communication and media
- Meetings with Members of Parliament, Senators, and the Chief Science Advisor of Canada (Federal), MLAs (BC), or MPPs (Ontario)
- Observation of House and/or Senate committee meetings
- Attending Question Period in Parliament (Federal only)
- Networking reception with MPs, Senators, and staff (including a poster session)
- Meetings with bureaucrats and public servants to better understand policy making at the non-political level of government
IMPORTANT NOTE: You can become a sponsor of either one of the Federal, Ontario, or BC programs, or sponsor two programs: one Federal and one of the provincial programs combined at a discounted rate. All CSPC partners will received special discount as listed below.
| Benefits | Champions ($10,000+) | Partners (> $6000) | Collaborators (> $3000) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Advertisement in Delegate Booklet | Full Page | Half Page | Logo |
| Dedicated social media acknowledgment | 5 | 3 | 1 |
| Invitation to Networking Reception with Delegates, Parliamentarians, Bureaucrats, Private Sector Partners, and Invited Guests | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Free pass to CSPC 2024 | 2 | 1 | |
| Podium Acknowledgement | |||
| Logo on the Website | |||
| Logo acknowledgement in email to delegates | |||
| Logo acknowledgement on the poster before the beginning of virtual sessions | |||
| Banner display at event | |||
| Free Entry for one Delegate* | |||
| Selection of one Delegate* | |||
| Opportunity to Welcome Delegates in Orientation Session or in One of the Virtual Workshops |
*CSPC will work with Champion-level Sponsors to assist in identifying a candidate. Sponsored candidates must still meet some qualification criteria. Limited to 5 Champion-level sponsors.
IMPORTANT: There is a special discount for organizations who are a CSPC partner, Program Member, or sponsor of the Federal SMP program.
Special Discount for CSPC Partners:
50% discount for Leader & Innovator Level Conference Partners, and Champions Levels of One of the SMP Programs
25% discount for Influencer and Thinker Level Conference Partners, and Partner Levels of One of the SMP Programs
15% discount for Collaborator Level Conference Partners, and One of the SMP Programs Collaborator Levels
If you have any questions about the program or would like to sponsor, please contact us at sciencemeetsparliament@
What the Delegates are saying:
“The Science meets Parliament experience was a rich and transformative experience. It offered a real-world opportunity for scientists and policymakers to interact together. It helped understand better our different languages, cultures and codes, as well as the relationship-building work that is required to bridge these two different and interdependent worlds. Moreover, this was a great opportunity to connect with fellow scientists from a wide range of disciplines, and build on our common interests in contributing to informed public debates.”
“If the overarching goal of my research program is to improve the safety and sustainability of Canadian agriculture, then this was probably the most productive and meaningful day of my career.”
What the delegates are saying:
“This program has fundamentally changed my mindset about science’s role in Canada’s governance. The experience will help to shape the ways in which I disseminate my research, and encourage me to become more involved in decision-making. Most critically, the program has shown me that tools to inform policy exist, but the responsibility falls on scientists to use them, and use them effectively.”
“This outstanding training program gave me a deeper understanding of how to engage effectively with policymakers, while allowing me to raise awareness of my research. The in-person event with Parliamentarians exceeded my expectations!”
What the MPs are saying about SMP:
“The meetings are worthwhile opportunities for MP’s to get a better sense of the scope and depth of research being done in Canada, how we collaborate internationally and both the value and limitations of science in policymaking.”
“Such a tremendous opportunity at a vital time in our country to connect decision-makers in Parliament with key scientists and experts across Canada.”
“It’s always great — although we do it only annually — to deliberate with real, on the ground, technically qualified people who can provide input beyond the narrative chatter that is the stock and trade (unfortunately) of today’s political discourse.”
What the MPs are saying about SMP:
“The aging demographic poses challenges in a wide realm of Health related issues that we must acknowledge and respond to.”
“La rencontre avec les scientifiques est un opportunité d’en apprendre sur l’expertise disponible pour les parlementaires et leurs travaux en comité.”
“This is such an important initiative. It’s a rare opportunity to bring these two communities together to the benefit of both.”
“Meeting with the delegates added another layer of technicality that is often missed in policy work and thus compliments the work of Parliamentarians very well. We need to ensure science is engaged in all levels of policy writing to ensure proper and efficient implementation.”
What the SMP-BC Delegates are saying:
“BC Science Meets Parliament was an incredible opportunity to experience policymaking in the province firsthand and learn directly from policymakers themselves, both MLAs and staff. In just 2 days spent at the BC legislature, I made invaluable connections and learned how I can better leverage and communicate my research to inform policy across the province.”
“Science Meets Parliament was an enlightening and empowering experience. It provided a unique platform for scientists like me to directly engage with policymakers, fostering invaluable dialogue and collaboration. I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to evidence-based decision-making and drive positive change in our society. Thank you to the organizers, Parliamentarians, sponsors, and all involved for making this impactful event possible.”
What the SMP-BC Delegates are saying:
“This is a well-crafted professional development opportunity to enhance the practice of science communication, connect evidence to policy-making and learn more intimately and in-depth about the legislative process.”
“Science Meets Parliament was an incredible opportunity to learn about the interface between science and policy, and gave me a rare opportunity to directly interact with policymakers. There’s no other program like it, definitely get on board if you have a chance!”
“SMP provides a rare space for us to come together as researchers and policy makers and think through our channels of communication, best practices, and spaces for growth.”
What the SMP MLA-BC are saying:
“The opportunity to meet with the people who are always working toward making life better for everybody is invaluable. Their breadth of curiosity and knowledge benefits us all!”
What the SMP-BC Delegates are saying:
“Thank you for giving us all the opportunity to engage with scientists from our communities!”
