Science Meets Parliament ON 2027 (SMP ON 2027)

The Canadian Science Policy Centre (CSPC) is pleased to announce that applications are now open for the third edition of Science Meets Parliament – Ontario!

This program is scheduled to take place in Toronto in the spring of 2027 (TBD in April/ May).

CSPC is pleased to bring back this program for the third time in the spring of 2027 to help strengthen the connection between the science and policy communities in Ontario. The program provides an excellent opportunity for Ontario researchers to learn about the policymaking process at the provincial Legislative Assembly.

In the second edition of SMP-ON, representing Ontario’s research and policy communities, 36 scientists and 30 Members of Provincial Parliament gathered at Queen’s Park in May 2026 for a day of meaningful discussions addressing key challenges and opportunities in Ontario.

For more about SMP-ON 2026, click here.

The opportunity to cultivate mutual understanding between research and policy communities makes Science Meets Parliament an experience unlike any other offered within Canada’s academic network.

Application deadline: December 20, 2026.

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SMP-ON is pleased to have the patronage of The Hon. Edith Dumont, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario.

Hon. Edith Dumont

Lieutenant Governor

Ontario

Hon. Donna Skelly

Speaker of the Legislative Assembly

Ontario

Special thanks to our sponsors

Get involved with SMP-ON

SMP Sponsorship Opportunities

ABOUT SCIENCE MEETS PARLIAMENT – Ontario

The objective of this initiative is to strengthen the connections between Canada’s scientific and political communities in Ontario, facilitate a two-way dialogue between scientists and parliamentarians, and promote mutual understanding. This program is designed to familiarize scientists with the intricacies of policymaking at the provincial political level, and encourage parliamentarians to learn about and integrate scientific evidence into their policy decisions. This initiative is unique in its non-partisan nature and scientists are not lobbying or advocating for financial or other support. Rather, SMP is an opportunity to build bridges and connect across values, disciplines, and agendas.

The Science Meets Parliament model is adapted from the successful Australian program held annually since 1999. Similar initiatives exist in the EU, the UK, and Spain.

SMP in Canada has a remarkable track record of forging powerful, lasting connections between researchers and parliamentarians. Since 2018, our Federal program has paired more than 350 researchers with over 350 parliamentarians, a testament to its influence and reputation. Due to its tremendous success, the annual SMP program expanded to British Columbia in 2024 and Ontario in 2025.

CSPC’s program aims to benefit the political community, the scientific community, and the Canadian public.

“I feel that yesterday was the most productive day of my career towards that goal. I met decision makers who share similar goals and appear to be willing to work with me to achieve something real.”

– Delegate, SMP Federal 2024

“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!”

— Delegate: SMP BC 2024

““Scientists are essential to policy development. Your personalized approach to share what research is indicating helps us be better legislators. Thank you for strengthening democracy and our capacity to do our jobs well.”

– Parliamentarian, SMP ON 2026

Benefits

Benefits to MPPs

Engage with emerging leaders in the Ontario science community that drive science and innovation
Learn from Ontario scientists about resources in Canadian research institutions available to MPPs
Receive direct answers to questions they may have on scientific matters or background issues
Discuss how training highly qualified personnel (HQP) in their research laboratories contributes to local and provincial innovation and economies
Build lasting connections with Ontario scientists from diverse regions and specialties

Benefits to Scientists

Learn about the legislative and political processes and the reality of being a parliamentarian
Understand how their research can be useful to MPPs to maximize its impact
Gain insights about how to effectively communicate research to MPPs
Share insights and experiences from ‘Science Meets Parliament – Ontario with peers and students at respective research institutions.
Build lasting connections with MPPs and their staff

Benefits to Ontarians

Bring together and encourage mutually beneficial engagements between scientists and MPPs
Foster a conversation about relevant issues using scientific evidence
Empower scientists with tools and strategies to better engage with MPPs, strengthening the role of science for the public good
Promote equity and diversity in science and amplify a range of voices from across Ontario

Eligibility

The program will be open to three groups of researchers affiliated with a post-secondary institution in Ontario:

Researchers holding a full-time independent investigator position (for up to 15 years, excluding eligible leave, from their initial appointment)
First Nations, Métis, Inuit, and Black researchers holding a full-time independent investigator position
Postdoctoral fellows who are affiliated with a post-secondary institution or affiliated research institute in Canada (Postdoctoral Fellowship status must have been announced no later than January 1, 2026).

Former Science Meets Parliament delegates (federal or provincial) are excluded from application.

About 30 researchers from a diverse range of disciplines are expected to participate in Science Meets Parliament – Ontario in 2027. In future iterations of this program, we hope to expand the application process further to include researchers from more career stages.

A multi-disciplinary committee will oversee the application and selection process, during which the diversity of disciplines, geography, and identities will be considered.

Application deadline: December 20, 2026.

You can apply for all Science Meets Parliament programs that you are eligible for (e.g., federal and BC or federal and ON) – if selected for both, you will be able to decide which program you would like to participate in.

Program

The program consists of several Virtual Zoom sessions, as well as two days (and one evening) in-person in Toronto, which is currently tentatively scheduled for spring 2027. To participate in the program, you must attend all scheduled events, including all virtual workshops and the in-person meetings at the Queen’s Park Legislative Assembly of Ontario.

The Science Meets Parliament – Ontario 2027 program will include:

An orientation session
Virtual workshops on evidence-based decision making, science communication and media, equity and diversity, policymaking in the Legislature, and policymaking in bureaucracy
Meetings with MPPs and staff members
Attending Question Period
Networking reception with MPPs and staff
Meetings with bureaucrats and public servants, to better understand policymaking at the non-political level of government

Mandatory requirements

Accepted delegates will be required to pay a registration fee of $1500 (independent researchers) or $1100 (Postdoctoral Fellows). This includes:
- admission to the program,
- a networking dinner on the first evening
- breakfast, lunch, dinner, all day coffee, and refreshments on the Training Day
- breakfast, lunch, all day coffee, refreshments, and an evening reception on the Day at Queens Park.
All delegates will be responsible for their own travel and accommodation costs.
Scientists who attend this session are required to share their experience and insights from the SMP-ON program through a lecture at their host institution and/or an editorial in a CSPC featured editorial series.

Delegates are highly encouraged to publish about their experience in academic or news publications. Participants are also encouraged to publish pieces in other media on their research to engage the general public.

For more information, please contact [email protected]