Scientific and Innovative Venture Program (SIVP) (including a postdoctoral award) – 2024-2025

1. BACKGROUND

1.1 Scientific entrepreneurship in Québec

Scientific companies are built on the commercialization of public research results and the scientific skills of their teams. They benefit from extensive R&D capacity (many have their own laboratories, test benches or prototyping facilities) as well as highly diversified networks that enable them to think up bold projects and make strategic pivots to consider emerging needs.

As a result, such companies are highly agile and many of them are becoming essential to the development of a strong innovation ecosystem in Québec and to the advancement of promising sectors of activity both here and internationally in the form of cutting-edge technology companies as well as companies with a social and environmental impact.

1.2 Supporting the transition from research to entrepreneurship

The transition from academia to entrepreneurship means leaving one’s comfort zone and facing new uncertainties and a new culture. The support ecosystem is complex to navigate, making it difficult to find specific support for scientists with innovations stemming from research. Support programs focus on the development of the entrepreneurial project and less on the entrepreneurial attitude and mindset of the person behind it. The reality is that entrepreneurship calls for a different, albeit complementary, set of professional skills to those of academia, and requires rapid contact with the key players specific to the company’s sector of activity. Nevertheless, the development of innovation can benefit greatly from university connections and access to resources dedicated to the advancement of the most up-to-date knowledge. It is therefore a very specific entrepreneurial trajectory that combines support for a new career path, the development of research-led innovation, and the construction of a network that spans sectors and ecosystems.

1.3 Partners consolidating their efforts

The FRQ, Mitacs, V1 Studio and Axelys are joining forces to offer a clearly-designed pathway specifically aimed at supporting researchers who want to start a business, whatever their reasons and whatever their journey to entrepreneurship (for details on the partners, see Section 10). With a single application, applicants receive support for their transition to entrepreneurship with complementary funding and coaching focused on the individual as much as on the entrepreneurial solution. In the process, the company creates long-term university connections as well as a network with non-academic stakeholders.

2. PROGRAM OBJECTIVES

2.1 The program has the following objectives:

For applicants:

• Funding and support to allow them to focus on their business project;
• A clear pathway that helps them connect with a host university and an established researcher to help transform their research project into a scientific or innovative startup;
• Personal development.

For the ecosystem:

• Assist the academic community in enhancing the existing service offerings for researchers interested in entrepreneurship;
• Address cultural barriers to leverage the university connection as a springboard for the creation of scientific and innovative businesses;
• Promote the transfer of research results to society;
• Enhance the value of scientific entrepreneurship.

2.2 The path to scientific entrepreneurship and the profile sought for the SIVP program

The program is intended for applicants who are already well on their way to scientific entrepreneurship and who wish to create a scientific company around a project requiring research.

3. ELIGIBILITY

To be eligible, applicants must:

• have obtained a doctoral degree within the last 5 years. Applicants who have not yet received their degree but who have submitted their thesis before entering the SIVP program are also eligible;
• have legal status to work in Canada before entering the SIVP program and for the duration of funding;
• have oral and written fluency in French and/or English in order to fully participate in the follow-up process;
• be domiciled in Québec (be present in Québec if selected, available for in-person meetings throughout the duration of funding);
• commit to becoming incorporated at the federal or provincial level with a head office in Québec before entering the SIVP program, if they have not already done so*, in order to receive the award if selected for funding;
• commit to becoming a founding member* of the company;

• commit to declaring, in the event of funding, that they have the rights to use the intellectual property (IP) at the core of the proposed project*.

*If an application is selected for funding, final acceptance will be conditional on compliance with these commitments.

4. REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Pre-application

The e-form must be completed directly in the applicant’s FRQnet ePortfolio. To access the form, select Nature et technologies (managing agency), regardless of the research sector of the proposed project. Go to Available competitions, Program: Training and internship awards.

4.1 Demonstrate that the applicant is seriously engaged on the path to entrepreneurship

To be completed directly in the FRQnet e-form:

4.1.1 A text including the following information, in this order, in the “Description of application” section (maximum 2 pages):

• Describe the support you have received and the entrepreneurial training courses you have completed (name them) in order to set up your entrepreneurial project;
• Describe the entrepreneurial project team, if applicable;
• Describe the level of advancement of the entrepreneurial solution (proof of concept, ideation, validation, etc.) using the template provided at these links (STIM or social sciences) that best applies to your project;
• Present an action plan to be implemented for your project during the postdoctoral fellowship, covering both business and innovation development.

Applicants must also provide the following in the “Other documents” section:

4.1.2 A letter of motivation (maximum 1 page) explaining your decision to apply to the SIVP program rather than a postdoctoral program to continue your research or employment with an established company or organization, and how you identify with an entrepreneurial mindset by providing concrete examples of challenges met by this mindset.

4.2 Demonstrate that the project is innovative and requires research and development

To be completed directly in the FRQnet e-form:

4.2.1 A lay summary of the innovation project presenting the following (maximum 50 words):

• The problem to be solved and why it is important. What will be the impact if this problem persists?
• Describe the solution to be developed, its innovative nature and how it stems from research;
• Why university support is necessary for the project (anticipated research question and the benefit to the emerging company of carrying out the project in partnership with the university).

4.2.2 Identification of a prospective university to host the development of the entrepreneurial project and, if possible, a researcher to support the proposed research:

Do not include letters of support or recommendation; the connection process only begins if the applicant is successful at the Selection stage (see Section 5).

Although the FRQ excellence award is a postdoctoral-type fellowship, there is no requirement that the host university be different from the one that awarded the applicant’s doctoral degree.

If you are an established researcher or a university interested in hosting a budding scientific entrepreneur, please contact the SIVP team to find out about the minimum hosting requirements. See Section 4.2.2 for more details.

4.3 Other required documents

Applicants must also provide the following in the “Other documents” section:

• Information about their doctoral thesis and how it relates to the proposed project;
• An abridged CV (maximum 2 pages) prepared according to the format indicated here;
• A copy of their doctoral degree or official attestation that the doctoral thesis has been submitted.

4.4 Important notes

Applications are to be submitted only at the Pre-application stage. The Selection stage confirming entrepreneurial milestones replaces the submission of a full application that usually follows in the FRQ application process. During the Selection stage, the various interviews with partners and evaluators produce a portfolio that is added to the applicant’s file, serving as documentation for the Final Acceptance stage (see Section 5).

5. EVALUATION

5.1 A three-stage evaluation process

Pre-application: In accordance with the requirements of the FRQ and in consultation with the four partners, an independent committee is formed to identify eligible applications that correspond to the profile and type of project sought, in light of the program’s objectives.

This committee includes members from the business and research communities. Representatives of the four partners act as observers.

Selection:  This stage confirms the applicant’s entrepreneurial milestones and skills as well as the project’s potential for commercialization. The interviews produce a portfolio that is added to the applicant’s file, serving as documentation for the Final Acceptance stage. The interviews are also used to establish the necessary connections within the prospective university (see Section 4.2.2 for more information about the host environment) and for the preparation of the file required for Mitacs funding, if applicable.

In the event of an unsuccessful application, this stage should still provide guidance for applicants and help them upgrade their skills, supporting them as they pursue their entrepreneurial journey.

The Final Acceptance stage confirms the excellence of the application in light of the interviews and selects the best applications based on the number of places available and the number of FRQ excellence awards allocated for the cohort. Final acceptance is also carried out by an independent committee. Representatives of the four partners act as observers.

5.2 Evaluation criteria

Stage 1: Pre-application 
Eligible applications are evaluated according to the following criteria:

• Demonstration that the applicant is seriously engaged on the path to entrepreneurship and has entrepreneurial skills and potential (30%)
  • Support received and entrepreneurship training completed
  • Entrepreneurial project team
  • Level of advancement of the entrepreneurial solution and action plan if selected for the SIVP
  • Motivation and integration of entrepreneurship in the applicant’s career plan
• Clarity of the description of the problem to be solved and the proposed entrepreneurial solution (40%)
  • Relevance
  • Potential impact
• Innovative nature of the project and need to carry out research and development in a university environment (30%)

If an application receives a score of 70% or more, the applicant moves on to the Selection stage.

Stage 2: Selection (confirmation of entrepreneurial milestones)

Successful applicants are then invited to three interviews. The goal is to confirm the entrepreneurial milestones achieved in relation to:

• Applicant’s entrepreneurial skills (soft skills, know-how)

Conducted by V1 Studio

• Technical/commercial aspects of the entrepreneurial solution (business model, product/market fit, potential for commercialization, intellectual property management)

Conducted by Axelys or V1 Studio depending on the business profile

When required: Declaration of invention and incorporation in Québec or Canada, as applicable

• Team composition and dynamics as well as current support persons (complementarity within the team, mentors, advisory committee)

Conducted by V1 Studio

This milestone confirmation process replaces the submission of a full application that usually follows pre-application in the FRQ application process. The various interviews produce an annotated portfolio that is added to the applicant’s file, serving as documentation for the Final Acceptance stage.

6. NATURE OT THE FUNDING

• An FRQ excellence award with an annual value of $50,000 (equivalent to a postdoctoral fellowship), paid to the individual. The award is for one year, with the possibility of renewal upon request and approval by the partners and the host university.
• Independent complementary funding of up to $45,000 (equivalent to 3 internship units) through the Mitacs Accelerate program (as needed and to be determined on a project-by-project basis), paid to the host university. This funding includes and requires a matching private contribution from the company.
• Once Final Acceptance has been confirmed, coaching by V1 Studio and, if needed, by Axelys (for more details, see Section 7).

The FRQ award enables recipients to dedicate their time to developing the company (business and marketing strategy, business and partnership development, market validation, etc.) and building on their key skills (business coaching, coaching in cross-disciplinary skills, knowledge of intellectual property, etc.).

The Mitacs Accelerate funding supports the development of the innovation at the core of the business project. It also secures additional resources and expertise and consolidates the necessary ties with the university.

Axelys provides consulting and support services in technology development, intellectual property management and innovation transfer to all public research institutions in Québec. Axelys also contributes to the creation of scientific companies. The Axelys team has the cutting-edge expertise needed to assess the potential impact and spin-offs of inventions stemming from public research. Its expertise in intellectual property management, innovation development and maturation, commercialization and transfer will be brought to the SIVP program. Axelys will establish links, where appropriate, between the selected projects and the PSO-V2D maturation program, ÉleverlaPI – momentumPI program, and other relevant programs. Axelys thus supports the development of the innovative project and ensures its compliance in several areas.

The V1 Studio team specializes in personal development during the transition from an academic project to an entrepreneurial venture. It draws on its ties with universities and a large number of incubators and accelerators to identify specific opportunities for scientific companies in the ecosystem. The V1 Studio team provides support from the moment the recipient enters the SIVP program, including personalized plans for skills development, project advancement and connection to the ecosystem, as well as follow-up meetings to update objectives (for more details, see Section 7).

7. FOLLOW-UP

Following a startup meeting, a personalized annual plan is drawn up, including plans for skills development, project advancement and connection to the ecosystem. Coaching meetings are scheduled every two weeks. Targets and milestones are reviewed quarterly, and a sharing session is held after nine months to determine whether renewal is advisable.

A progress report, the format of which will be communicated in due course, must be sent to the FRQ and Mitacs at the end of the funding period.

8. IMPORTANT DATES, ANNOUNCEMENT OF RESULTS AND EFFECTIVE DATE

Information webinar: November 29, 2023 from 12:30 to 13:30 EST.

• Registration is required. Please click here to register.
• The webinar will be recorded and available in the Toolbox of this webpage after the event.

Deadline for submission of applications: January 18, 2024 at 16:00 EST

Announcement of preselection results: end of February 2024 (action required to move on to the Selection stage)

Selection interviews: March and April 2024

Announcement of Final Acceptances and entry into the program: late spring – early summer 2024

These rules apply to the 2024-2025 financial year.

9. TERMS OF THE FUNDING

The FRQ excellence award

To retain the award, the person entering the SIVP program must:

• Comply with the conditions related to domicile for the duration of the award;
• Comply with the rules and expectations set out by the host university;
• Have made an initial thesis submission to begin the internship and meet the requirements for obtaining the doctoral degree at the time of the second instalment;
• Dedicate themself full-time to the creation of their company. An annual vacation period is allowed and must be prearranged with V1 Studio upon entry into the SIVP program in order to integrate it into the project advancement plan and quarterly targets;
• Be present for periodic meetings with V1 Studio;
• Comply with the rules related to concurrent funding (Section 9.1);
• Comply with the rules related to paid employment (Section 9.2).

Failure to comply with these rules may result in the cancellation of the award. If, for exceptional reasons, these conditions cannot be met, the FRQ must be notified as soon as possible and will determine whether the award should continue or be cancelled.

9.1 Concurrent funding with the FRQ award

This award may not be held concurrently with:

• Merit-based scholarships from Canadian funding agencies 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.;
• Merit-based scholarships from Québec funding agencies such as the Fonds de recherche du Québec – Société et culture (FRQSC), the Fonds de recherche du Québec – Santé (FRQS), the Fonds de recherche du Québec – Nature et technologies (FRQNT) (including Inventech program grants), the Conseil de recherches en pêche et agroalimentaire du Québec (CORPAQ), etc.;
• Scholarships from the Canada Council for the Arts (CCA) or the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec (CALQ) for the same project.

This award may be held concurrently with:

• Private sector and internal university scholarships.

The FRQ excellence award under this program is for the exclusive benefit of the person selected for the SIVP program and should not be used to finance projects submitted to other government programs (see Section 6 for details).

9.2 Paid employment under the FRQ award

A person entering the SIVP program may accept additional paid employment provided that:

• the position does not exceed 250 hours of work per four-month period;
• the employment does not interfere with the achievement of the objectives set out in the plans for skills development, project advancement and connection to the ecosystem.

The FRQ consider that teaching a 45-hour course is equivalent to 150 hours of employment. Note that the same course given to two different groups during the same semester is considered equivalent to two teaching assignments.

9.3 Deferral and supplement during parental leave (FRQ award)

Please refer to Section 6.13 of the FRQ’s Common General Rules.

Mitacs funding

9.4 Terms of Mitacs Accelerate funding

Please refer to the current rules on the Mitacs website:

• Mitacs Accelerate
• Mitacs Accelerate Entrepreneur

10. PARTNERS

The FRQ :

Reporting to the Ministre de l’Économie, de l’Innovation et de l’Énergie, the FRQ’s mission is to ensure the strategic and coherent development of Québec research, providing financial support for the training of a diverse, creative and agile new generation of researchers. The FRQ’s Directorate of Major Societal Challenges (DGDS) stimulates intersectoral, solution-oriented research based on the co-construction of knowledge and practices and the integration of science and society.

Axelys :

Axelys is the development and innovation transfer company for public research in Québec. It contributes to the province’s economic and social prosperity by accelerating the maturation and deployment of high-potential inventions, know-how and processes to turn them into innovations that can improve the world we live in. In addition, Axelys contributes to the creation of scientific companies stemming from public research.

Mitacs :

For over 20 years, Mitacs has been helping organisations achieve their business goals, funding cutting-edge innovation, and creating employment opportunities for students and postdoctoral researchers. Mitacs generates economic growth, productivity, and tangible changes to improve the quality of life for all Canadians. Its mission is to create a world-class, diverse community of innovators through its collaborative model in order to inspire and design creative solutions.

V1 Studio :

V1 Studio is a non-profit organisation that provides a safe space for researchers to explore entrepreneurship. V1 Studio leads tailored programs to support researchers and graduate students in the early stages of their entrepreneurial journey. We help them develop their potential and, if they are ready, establish a scientific or innovative startup.

11. CONTACTS

Pour les FRQ :

Émilie Rochette

Program Manager

Directorate of Major Societal Challenges

Office of the Chief Scientist of Quebec

Email: emilie.rochette@frq.gouv.qc.ca

For the SIVP program:

Email: cesi@v1.studio

Site web du programme CESI