Postdoctoral Fellowship (B3) 2020-2021

1. PROGRAM OBJECTIVES

The objectives of the Postdoctoral Fellowship program are as follows:

• Contribute to the development of the next generation of experts in the social sciences, humanities, arts and literature;
• Support individuals who have graduated from doctoral programs as they broaden the scope of their research;
• Foster the mobility of young researchers towards stimulating and dynamic scientific environments such as universities, corporate environments, government organizations and university-affiliated service centres.

In keeping with its Knowledge Mobilization Strategy, the Fonds encourage funding recipients to carry out such activities (sharing, valorization, dissemination, etc.) for the general public, whenever such activities are relevant in the context of their research.

In accordance with the Fonds de recherche du Québec open access policy for the dissemination of research, all funding recipients must agree to provide open access to their scientific publications no later than 12 months after publication. To learn more about the FRQ’s requirements on this subject, please visit our page on open science.

Finally, the Fonds de recherche du Québec wish to contribute to supporting a research ecosystem based on equity, diversity and inclusion. Measures have been put in place to strengthen the integration of these principles. Funding recipients are also encouraged to consider them in the context of their research activities. For more information, please visit our website.

2. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Applicants must meet all eligibility requirements on the competition deadline of October 10, 2019 at 4 p.m.

2.1 Eligibility period and target group

This program is aimed at applicants who:

• obtained their doctorate within 2 years (no more than 24 months) prior to the competition deadline;

OR

• who will make their initial thesis submission no later than March 1st, 2021, the deadline by which grant payments must begin.

Eligibility will be determined based on the date indicated on the doctoral diploma.

2.2 Eligibility period exceptions

Exceptions regarding postdoctoral fellowship eligibility periods will only be considered in circumstances that are beyond the applicant’s control. Applicants may suspend or postpone their studies for parental leave, major family obligations, serious illness, or because of a disability. In all such cases, supporting documents must be submitted along with the application, in the sections intended for this purpose.

Parental leave, major family obligations or serious illness

Applicants who have interrupted or delayed their studies for parental leave, major family obligations or serious illness may be granted an eligibility period extension. In the case of parental leave, the eligibility period may be extended for up to one year per parental leave. In the case of major family obligations or a career interruption due to serious illness, the Fonds will determine the extension to be granted based on the supporting documents provided by the applicant.

Persons with disabilities  

Applicants who suspend or postpone their studies for reasons related to a disability may also be granted an eligibility period extension. This exemption is in accordance with the Act to secure handicapped persons in the exercise of their rights with a view to achieving social, school and workplace integration (CQLR c. E-20.1). Supporting documents are required and must be submitted with the application.

The Fonds reserves the right to refuse any request that is not adequately justified.

2.3 Citizenship and residence

All applicants must prove that they reside in Québec according to the conditions presented in the table below. This table also indicates the host environment locations permitted for each situation.

2.4 Restrictions

Applicants may only submit an application to one of the following FRQSC scholarship programs in the same year: Master’s Research Scholarships (B1Z); Doctoral Research Scholarships (B2Z); Scholarships for re-entering the Research Community (A2Z); Postdoctoral Fellowship (B3Z); Postdoctoral Research-Creation Fellowship (B5).

Applicants may only hold a scholarship from one of the Fonds (CGR, Section 3.1).

Applicants who receive or have received postdoctoral funding from a recognized agency in Québec or Canada (e.g. SSHRC, NSERC, CIHR, FRQSC, FRQNT, FRQS, FCAR, CQRS, etc.) are not eligible for this competition.

2.5 Choice of host environment (supervision and co-supervision, if applicable)

The planned host environment(s) must enable applicants to join new scientific networks, enhance their research perspectives and develop collaborative relationships in a quality scientific environment. The host environment may be a university or a university-affiliated service centre, a corporation, a government institution, an international or transnational organization.

The Fonds encourages mobility outside Québec and internationally. However, the research can be carried out in Québec if the project brings added value to the applicant’s doctoral training AND the choice is clearly justified.

The postdoctoral research can be co-supervised. A fellowship holder cannot be supervised or co-supervised by his/her doctoral research supervisor.

The postdoctoral research must be carried out at an institution other than the one from which the fellowship holder’s doctorate was awarded or co-supervised, if applicable. This condition also applies to the co-supervising institution.

Similarly, a supervisor or co-supervisor cannot be affiliated with the institution where the applicant carried out his/her doctoral studies.

An exception may be made in the case of major family obligations, a disability or for serious health reasons. Following analysis by the Fonds, an applicant may be authorized to propose a postdoctoral research project at the same institution that awarded their doctorate, but under a different supervisor. In order for the application to be considered admissible at the eligibility stage, it is the applicant’s responsibility to provide the necessary explanations in the “Justification of host environment” attachment and to upload relevant supporting documents (medical certificate, certificate of disability, proof of tax credit for caregivers, etc.) in the “Other documents” section. Note that these documents will be given to the scientific evaluation committee.

Field research and data collection trips are permitted. However, when these exceed a period of 6 months, a co-supervision agreement must be formalized in the application. A letter of acceptance must then be provided by the co-supervisor.

Requests for derogation to the rule regarding full-time presence at the host environment must be submitted to the Postdoctoral Fellowship program officer for approval.

2.6 Paid leave

Individuals who are employed but who are on leave (sabbatical, study leave etc.) or any other form of release from duties are eligible provided they meet one of the following conditions during this period:

• They are not paid (leave without pay);
• They are paid, but the amount received does not exceed 50% of their regular salary (deferred or anticipated salary leave, self-funded leave).

3. SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION

As indicated in Section 3.1 of the CGR, applicants are responsible for sending their application package to the appropriate Fonds by referring to the list of Research areas of the three Fonds.

An application consists of:

• The required forms available in the E-portfolio;
• Required documents, attached to the form.

An application package that is incomplete or does not contain all of the required forms and documents at the competition deadline will be deemed ineligible by the Fonds. Documents that are not required and that are included with the application will be removed from the application before evaluation. Applicants will not be notified of any required information or documents missing from the application. Any documents received after the deadline for application will not be considered and applications cannot be updated after this date.

As indicated in Section 3 of the CGR, applicants certify that all information provided is accurate and complete, and undertake to comply with all rules and principles set out in the Fonds de recherche du Québec Policy for the responsible conduct of research. They authorize their institution to transmit, where applicable, any personally identifiable information resulting from the application of this policy. Applicants are asked to sign an agreement to that effect when submitting their application.

The FRQSC reserves the right to verify the authenticity of all documents and information provided with the organizations concerned.

3.1 Forms

The necessary forms are available in the FRQnet portal no later than one month before the competition deadline.

Applicants must create a user account on the Fonds website before applying, if they have not already done so. Individuals who already have a Fonds personal identification number (PIN) have direct access to a FRQnet account and must update their E-portfolio profile. (Watch our video Premier accès à votre profil.)

It is the applicant’s responsibility to choose the correct application form. Should an error occur, the Fonds will not transfer the application from one program to another and the application will be deemed ineligible.

As indicated in the CGR (Section 3.6), forms may be filled out in French or English. However, the title and abstract must imperatively be in French. This information will be used by the Fonds for promotional and dissemination purposes.

Pages in excess of the number permitted in each section of the application will be removed from the application before submission for evaluation.

The following forms are required:

• POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIP (B3Z) APPLICATION FORM.
• CANADIAN COMMON CV and DETAILED CONTRIBUTIONS: The Canadian Common CV and “Detailed contributions” attachment file are available in the Toolbox section on the fellowship program page or directly in the “Activity details” box in the E-portfolio. The Canadian Common CV–”Fonds Société et culture” version – must be updated within the 12 months prior to the competition deadline. The Detailed Contributions file must be completed in due form and attached to the application in the appropriate section of the E-portfolio. To ensure that the attachment is properly transmitted to the Fonds, it must be saved in PDF format under “Canadian Common CV” in the E-portfolio.
• LETTER(S) FROM SUPERVISOR(S): Supervisors, and co-supervisors where applicable, must complete the form provided for that purpose in their own FRQnet E-portfolio and attach the required file (letter of acceptance). A supervisor and/or co-supervisor who has a Fonds personal identification number (PIN) has access to an FRQnet account and must update his/her E-portfolio, if this has not already been done. A supervisor or co-supervisor who does not have an FRQnet account must first create a user account.

Once they have been transmitted electronically in accordance with the instructions provided in the form, the form and letter will be automatically attached to the applicant’s fellowship application.

• TWO LETTERS FROM REFEREES: Letters of recommendation completed by referees provide support for the applicant and offer an informed outsider’s opinion of his/her qualities and abilities.

Referees must complete the form provided for that purpose in their own FRQnet E-portfolio and attach the required file (letter of recommendation). A referee who has a Fonds personal identification number (PIN) has access to an FRQnet account and must update his/her E-portfolio, if this has not already been done. A referee who does not have an FRQnet account must first create a user account. Once they have been transmitted electronically in accordance with the instructions provided in the form, the form and letter will be automatically attached to the applicant’s fellowship application.

The supervisors’, co-supervisors’ (where applicable) and referees’ letters must be completed in French or English and submitted electronically by the competition deadline. If any of these letters are not received by the Fonds, the application will be deemed ineligible. Only letters completed using the FRQSC form in the FRQnet portal will be accepted. It is the responsibility of the applicant to provide the persons concerned with instructions for creating an account and writing the letter, and to ensure that the letters and forms are submitted before the deadline.

3.1.1 Choice of evaluation committee

In the application form, applicants are asked to select the evaluation committee that corresponds the best to their research topic. A list of committees is available in the program Toolbox.

3.2 Required documents

The required documents, detailed below, must be scanned in PDF format and inserted directly into the application form in the appropriate sections of the “Activity details” box.

To be accepted, scanned PDF copies must be legible and without read protection or special double tab configuration.

Any official document submitted in a language other than French or English must be accompanied by a certified translation of the original document. Any other document submitted in a language other than French or English must include a basic translation.

The Fonds recommends using the presentation standards set out in the Detailed Contributions file to format the research project description, bibliography and host environment justification.

Once the application form has been submitted, it will not be possible to resubmit or modify the application in any way regardless of the transmission date, even if it is before the competition deadline.

ANY MISSING DOCUMENT WILL RENDER THE APPLICATION INELIGIBLE.

No reminder will be made and no documents can be added after the competition deadline of October 10, 2019 at 4 p.m.

“UNIVERSITY RECORD” SECTION

The following documents must be scanned vertically (portrait orientation) and grouped into a single PDF document in the order listed below, before attaching them in the “University record” section:

TRANSCRIPTS (mandatory – any missing transcripts will render the application ineligible): Copies of the applicant’s official master’s AND doctoral transcripts (i.e. issued by the institution and bearing its seal and the registrar’s signature or notice of conformity from a competent authority) are required. While the form also mentions bachelor’s degree transcripts, these are not necessary under the postdoctoral fellowship program. In the event that the institution in question does not provide a transcript, a letter explaining the situation must be included; in the absence of this letter, the application will be automatically declared ineligible.

TRANSCRIPTS FROM EXCHANGE PROGRAMS (if applicable): Transcripts from exchange programs or courses (equivalences) are required.

MARKING SYSTEM EXPLANATION (if applicable): For transcripts from institutions located outside Canada or the United States, the applicant must include a short letter explaining the institution’s marking system.

The following documents must be included in the appropriate sections of the form:

• JUSTIFICATION OF HOST ENVIRONMENT (2 pages)
• PROJECT DESCRIPTION (3 pages)
• BIBLIOGRAPHY (1 page)

Applicants may include links to web pages as bibliographic references, where relevant. These web addresses may also be listed in the bibliography. However, the application must not be based in whole or in part on online content available to members of the evaluation committee.

 “OTHER DOCUMENTS” SECTION

The following documents are also required and must be attached in the “Other documents” section:

• DOCTORAL DIPLOMA: A copy of the applicant’s original doctoral diploma is required. If the doctoral diploma has not yet been obtained, proof of the initial thesis submission must be provided. If the applicant applied before submitting his/her thesis, he/she must include a letter addressed to the eligibility committee indicating the date at which the thesis will be submitted. Note: the document attesting to the official submission must be provided before the beginning of the fellowship.
• VALID RAMQ CARD OR PROOF OF ELIGIBILITY FOR RAMQ OR OTHER OFFICIAL DOCUMENT (mandatory):

If the applicant does not have a valid RAMQ card, or a proof of eligibility for RAMQ, the applicant must provide a copy of two documents proving that he or she has been living in Québec for at least six months of the seven months prior to the competition deadline. See the list of accepted documents in the Toolbox.

• PROOF OF CITIZENSHIP (if applicable): Canadian citizens who were not born in Canada must provide a copy of a proof of citizenship (both sides).
• STUDY PERMIT OR VISA (if applicable): Applicants who are not Canadian citizens must provide a copy of their study permit or visa.
• SUPPORTING DOCUMENT FOR ELIGIBILITY PERIOD EXCEPTION (if applicable): Applicants seeking eligibility period exceptions in accordance with Section 2.2 above must provide an official document for each birth since the thesis submission or a medical certificate attesting to serious health reasons or disability.

The applicant is responsible for ensuring that all required documents have been included and submitted with the application. No document other than those listed here will be accepted.

THE APPLICANT MUST NOT FORGET TO TRANSMIT THE APPLICATION AFTER COMPLETING AND VALIDATING IT.

At any time, applicants may verify in their E-portfolio that the most recent version of their application has been successfully submitted. The application file in “My forms” should be flagged as “Transmis au Fonds” before the competition deadline. This indicates that the application has been received by the Fonds.

All applications received by the Fonds are assessed for eligibility. A notice will be sent via email no later than December following the competition deadline, informing the applicant of the status of his/her application and, where applicable, its transmission to the evaluation committee. Applicants whose application package is deemed incomplete or invalid will be notified by email that their application has not been transmitted to the evaluation committee.

4. APPLICATION ASSESSMENT

4.1 Evaluation process

As indicated in Section 4 of the CGR, the Fonds receives fellowship applications and submits them for evaluation by specially formed committees. Only those applications whose scientific quality is considered satisfactory are recommended for funding by the evaluation committees.

Funding applications undergo scientific evaluation by evaluation committees composed of experts from the research fields covered by the Fonds. The members of the evaluation committees are known for their research skills and their knowledge of the research topics, methodologies and disciplinary basis of the applications under evaluation. If necessary, the evaluation committees may consult outside experts.

4.2 Evaluation criteria, indicators and weighting

Committee members evaluate the applications according to the evaluation criteria, indicators and weighting specified in these program rules, based on the Fonds Scores and Ratings Grid.

To be recommended, an application must obtain an overall score of 70% or more. In addition, a score of 70% is required for the Research project criterion.

Applicants are advised to attach equal importance to both the evaluation criteria and their associated indicators.

Applications are evaluated according to the following criteria, indicators and weighting:

Research project (50 points)

• Originality, added value to the applicant’s doctoral work and contribution to the advancement of knowledge (15 points)
• Clarity of the research problem, precision of the theoretical approach and objectives (15 points)
• Rigour of the methodological approach and its suitability for the project (15 points)
• Realism of the time frame and relevance of planned dissemination activities (5 points)

Host environment (15 points)

• Quality and relevance of the chosen environment to the project (including supervisors’ and co-supervisors’ letters) (5 points)
• Quality of the plan for integration into the host environment (planned research, teaching and dissemination activities, development of a network of contacts beyond the supervisor, proximity to other potential research environments, access to documentary, material and financial resources, etc.) (10 points)

Expertise (35 points)

• Quality of academic record and recognition (training, academic standing, scholarships, awards and distinctions, letters of recommendation from referees*) (10 points)
• Quality of scientific achievements (communications, publications, dissemination and popularization activities, etc.) (15 points)
• Relevance of the applicant’s experience (academic, non-academic and/or professional) to the project (10 points)

The conditions governing funding decisions are specified in Section 4.5 of the CGR.

5. ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE RESULTS AND VALUE OF THE FELLOWSHIP

5.1 Announcement of results

The Fonds informs every applicant, via email, of the evaluation and funding decision made with regard to his/her application. Competition results are officially announced on the Fonds website and a letter is sent to the applicant’s E-portfolio, generally at the end of the month of April following the competition deadline.

Successful applicants must accept or refuse the fellowship within thirty (30) calendar days after the fellowship offer was sent, in the “Manage my funding” section of their E-portfolio. An applicant who fails to accept the fellowship before the deadline is considered to have refused the fellowship (CGR, Section 5.2).

5.2 Value and duration of funding

The annual value of the postdoctoral research fellowship is $45,000.

The duration of the postdoctoral research period is a minimum of 6 months and a maximum of 24 months. An extension of funding for a third year may be requested and granted on submission and evaluation of a plan for the mobilization, transfer and dissemination of knowledge stemming from the postdoctoral research, submitted to the Fonds during the second year of funding. This extension may only be requested once.

If the postdoctoral research is being carried out more than 250 km from Québec’s borders, an annual supplement of $10,000 will be granted for a total of $55,000 per year. In the case of co-supervision with a Québec institution, the amount will be adjusted in proportion to the number of months spent outside Québec.

6. TERMS OF THE FELLOWSHIP

To retain the fellowship, fellowship holders must meet the following basic conditions throughout the duration of funding:

• Respect the conditions relating to citizenship and place of residence.
• Have made an initial thesis submission before starting the fellowship and meet all requirements for the doctoral degree at the time of the 3rd instalment.
• Be present at the host environment on a full-time basis to carry out postdoctoral research.
• Respect the rules relating to concurrent funding.
• Respect the rules relating to paid employment.

Fellowship holders who were not Canadian citizens at the time of application must live in Québec on a regular and daily basis throughout the entire duration of funding, even if their citizenship status changes.

Fellowship holders are required to inform the Fonds immediately if they cease to satisfy any of these conditions. Should any of these conditions no longer be met, the Fonds will be obliged to withdraw the fellowship and could request reimbursement.

6.1 Fellowship period

The fellowship period must begin between April 1, 2020 and March 1, 2021.

The fellowship is non-transferrable from one year to the next.

The fellowship is not retroactive and any work conducted in the months prior to April 2020 will not be funded. For applicants who have already begun their research, the fellowship period starts no earlier than April 1st, 2020.

6.2 Fellowship payments

Fellowship instalments must be requested by the fellowship holder for each 4-month period, in the “Manage my funding” section of the E-portfolio. The first payment will only be made once the Fonds has received a certified copy of the fellowship holder’s doctoral diploma, certified by the Registrar’s office or by a commissioner of oaths, or an official attestation of the initial doctoral thesis submission. A copy of the doctoral diploma or proof that all requirements have been met for the doctoral degree is required for payment of the 3rd instalment.

Triannual instalment payments are made for the duration of the fellowship eligibility period, subject to the production of a satisfactory progress report along with the request for the 4th instalment (see conditions and procedures in the Postdoctoral Fellowship Holder’s Guide).

Any unclaimed payment can be cancelled at the end of the period it covers, without advance notice.

6.3 Presence at the host environment

To retain the fellowship, the fellowship holder must be present at the host environment for the duration of the fellowship and devote himself/herself full-time to carrying out the research activities. Failure to respect this rule could result in the withdrawal of the fellowship. If, under exceptional circumstances, these conditions cannot be respected, the Fonds must be advised as soon as possible and will determine whether the fellowship should be maintained or cancelled.

A 4-week annual vacation period is permitted.

Note that the postdoctoral fellowship cannot be suspended during the funding period. Under exceptional circumstances, the fellowship holder should contact the Fonds, which will analyze the situation on reception of the required supporting documents and approve or refuse the requested suspension.

6.4 Convertibility of the fellowship

A fellowship can be used as a start-up grant by a fellowship holder who is offered a position as a regular professor in a Québec university. The fellowship holder must have completed a full year of postdoctoral research (12 months) or received 3 full fellowship instalments before requesting to convert part of the fellowship (up to $15,000) into a start-up grant for the new position. The effective date of the start-up grant is the fellowship holder’s employment start date.

This grant is subject to the same rules as those of the Research Support for New Academics program. A person who benefits from this conversion remains eligible to apply for this program.

A SSHRC postdoctoral fellowship holder who has also received a FRQSC funding offer under this program and accepted it, may benefit from this conversion, if applicable.

6.5 Parental leave

A postdoctoral fellowship holder may receive an additional instalment for parental leave for a maximum of 6 months, when the research is interrupted in the 6 months following the birth or adoption of a child. This supplement cannot be divided. In case of a parental leave of a shorter duration, the supplement will be adjusted.

In addition, the fellowship holder may suspend his/her research for parental leave without pay for up to one year. However, if the fellowship holder chooses to take the 6-month paid leave, the leave without pay is reduced to 6 months for a total leave of one year.

To receive the supplement for parental leave, the fellowship holder must suspend his/her postdoctoral research.

For more information about conditions regarding parental leave, refer to Section 6.13 of the CGR.

6.6 Reimbursement of travel expenses

Travel expenses to and from the host environment at the start and end of the postdoctoral program are reimbursed when supported by receipts, provided they were not reimbursed by another agency. The maximum travel allowance is equivalent to the price of one economy airline ticket.

Fellowship holders who have not yet defended their thesis may be reimbursed for an additional round trip.

Travel expenses outside Québec for the spouse and children of the fellowship holder, at the beginning and end of the postdoctoral fellowship, may also be covered by the Fonds, provided they are not reimbursed by any other agency.

6.7 Concurrent awards

The fellowship may not be held concurrently with:

• A fellowship or scholarship from a Canadian granting agency such as the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC), the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the Canada Council for the Arts (CCA), etc;
• A fellowship or scholarship from a Québec granting agency such as the Fonds de recherche du Québec – Santé (FRQS), the Fonds de recherche du Québec – Nature et technologies (FRQNT), the Conseil de recherches en pêche et agro-alimentaire du Québec (CORPAQ), the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec (CALQ), etc.

The fellowship may be held concurrently with:

• Scholarships and fellowships from ministries and agencies of the Québec and Canadian governments, other than those mentioned above;

Private sector and university scholarships and fellowships.

6.8 Paid employment

A fellowship holder may accept paid employment provided that:

• the employment does not exceed 250 hours per 4-month period;
• his/her research supervisor does not object;
• the employment does not interfere with research activities.

The Fonds considers teaching a 45-hour course to be equivalent to 150 hours of employment. Note that the same 45-hour teaching assignment given to two groups during the same term constitutes two teaching assignments.

The salary that the fellowship holder receives exclusively for his/her research project is considered to be a fellowship.

6.9 Modifying the research project, host environment or supervisor

As indicated in Section 6.5 of the CGR, any modification to the research project, environment or supervisor requires prior authorization from the Fonds. The fellowship holder must submit a change request in his/her E-portfolio in the “Manage my funding” section (see Fellowship Holder’s Guide). The program officer will analyze the request and ensure that it does not affect the outcome of the initial application evaluation or its eligibility for the award program. The decision to accept or refuse the request will be communicated via email.

7. SCHOLARSHIPS OFFERED IN PARTNERSHIP

The FRQSC offers scholarships in collaboration with partners.

Eligible applicants are selected through a three-step process:

1. Applicant must select, in the Partenariats section of the application form, one or more partners whose research areas are in line with the theme of their application.
2. The FRQSC sends the partners a list of interested applicants and the information needed to assess the relevance of the applications based on their strategic and research priorities.
3. Following evaluation of the applications by a committee of experts or peers, those that obtain a scientific excellence score of 70% and are deemed relevant by the partners concerned will be considered for partnership funding.

Like all other awards offered by the FRQSC, scholarships in partnership are granted based on merit following scientific evaluation by a peer committee.

Note that by choosing to be considered for a scholarship in partnership and on obtaining this type of funding, you agree that the partner can contact you for activities related to your research project.

Partner:

8. EFFECTIVE DATE

The provisions set out in this document apply to the 2020-2021 fiscal year.

The Fonds reserves the right to modify the value of the scholarship and/or the program rules detailed in this document without prior notice.

Version updated on the website July 10, 2019.