DIALOGUE – Researcher Component – 2026-2027

1. BACKGROUND

For years, the Fonds de recherche du Québec (FRQ) has been promoting dialogue between science and society. The FRQ has supported a number of initiatives over the years and has developed some of its own, including the DIALOGUE program.

Through DIALOGUE, the FRQ seeks to recognize and encourage the involvement of the research community in activities that promote exchange with the general public*. Over the years, this dialogue has adopted a variety of forms in order to strengthen public interest in research and confidence in science, as evidenced by the outputs and impacts of the funding provided.

Click on these links to learn about funded DIALOGUE projects and to discover recipient achievements.

*Definition of “general public”

For the purposes of this program, the FRQ uses the term “general public” to refer to citizens, individuals and families from different segments of the population (age groups, socio-economic backgrounds, ethnocultural origins, interests, etc.) who are interested in various questions and issues related to science, research and the scientific process. The FRQ uses “general public” in the broadest sense of the term, encompassing all audiences outside of academic or professional circles.

Bridging the gap between science and society

As more and more Quebecers show an increased interest in research and take part in scientific activities, the scientific community is promoting its work and the innovations that stem from it while demonstrating the impact of its research on society. The bridges being built help to strengthen public confidence in science while raising the profile of Québec research.

The experience gained by the research community translates into opportunities for mutual learning and exploration of new horizons through the development of a common language. The abilities and new skills acquired open up avenues for research and even unexpected career opportunities.

2. OBJECTIVES

The Researcher component of this program aims to:

• Recognize the commitment of researchers from all sectors of research to science communication and dialogue activities with the general public;
• Support researchers who choose to use general public activities to promote their research or its resultant innovations;
• Foster dialogue with the general public and spark interest in science;
• Train and supervise students in science communication for participation in science communication activities with the general public.

This component offers researchers, and the students they supervise, the opportunity to become involved in the public sphere and enrich the science-society dialogue through science communication projects. The general public, engaged by this dialogue, gains access to new knowledge and experiences the excitement of discovery and the impacts of research.

3. ELIGIBILITY

Researchers must meet the following criteria:

• Have one of the following statuses:

o   Status 1: university researcher;

o   Status 2: clinical university researcher;

o   Status 3: college researcher.

To be eligible, a project must also include the active participation of one or two students who will receive a scholarship or scholarship supplement of between $5,000 and $7,500 in accordance with the program’s student training objective. The student or students must be duly identified in the FRQnet form (see Section 4).

Project location

• The project must be mainly carried out in the province of Québec. However, it can include activities with an international reach.

Not eligible:

• Projects that are directly linked to another source of funding, unless the support awarded under the DIALOGUE program would be used to achieve additional and complementary objectives.

4. APPLICATION PROCESS

4.1   REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

The electronic form is available in the FRQnet electronic portfolio. To access the form, once you are logged in to your account, click on “Old FRQnet portal” and select the Santé section, regardless of the applicant’s research sector. The form is available under “Available competitions, Program: Dissemination grants”.

PRE-APPLICATION

The following documents are required:

1.       The electronic form including a text of no more than four (4) pages containing:

• Summary description of the project and communication plan (max. two pages) in light of the objectives and evaluation criteria of this program. The communication plan should focus on promoting research work (process, results), research results, and innovations resulting from research, and not simply on promoting science. Also include:

o   Summary description of the contribution of the students involved in the project (max. 1 page);

o   Applicant’s motivation to undertake a science communication project aimed at the general public (max. 1 page).

2.       Identification of one or two students who will receive a scholarship or supplement of between $5,000 and $7,500 in the “Training the next generation in science communication” section.

3.       The applicant’s abridged CV, prepared using the presentation template (max. two pages).

COMPLETE APPLICATION

The committee members will not have access to your pre-application. The application must contain all the necessary information for committee members to make a full and informed assessment of the project. If you feel you need to repeat any points that were included in the pre-application, do not hesitate to do so.

The following documents are required:

1.      The electronic form including a five-page detailed communication plan containing the following:

• Detailed description of the project and communication plan including measurable objectives and specific methods to reach the general public and foster dialogue between science and society. The research topics or themes at the heart of the project should be clearly defined as well as the target audience (who, how, how many people will take part in the dialogue?); the dissemination strategy is expected to be innovative and ambitious, inciting dialogue between science and society. Dissemination exclusively through social media is likely to be considered insufficient by committee members. Also include:

o   If the project is directly related to one or more science communication projects already receiving funding from another source, explain how it is complementary;

o   Detailed description of the contribution of the graduate students involved in the project.

2.      Identification of one or two students who will receive a scholarship or supplement of between $5,000 and $7,500 as required to make the application eligible, in the “Training the next generation in science communication” section.

3.      The applicant’s abridged CV, prepared using the presentation template (max. two pages).

4.      A detailed budget (see the eligible expense categories in Section 6).

The budget will be carefully analyzed by the committee. A budget devoted mainly to student salaries or the purchase of equipment could be viewed unfavourably. If necessary, the committee will make recommendations.

IMPORTANT NOTES REGARDING THE BUDGET (see Section 6)

• The budget must include a scholarship or scholarship supplement of between $5,000 and $7,500 for one or two students to allow them to actively contribute to the project. It is possible to add a second student. In this case, each student is expected to receive between $5,000 and $7,500.
• In addition to the scholarship or scholarship supplement, and although the FRQ supports the remuneration of students, this should be done sparingly. It is suggested that qualified service providers also be used to ensure a high level of professionalism for funded activities.

5.      A letter of commitment confirming institutional support from the managing institution for the promotion of the project and its contents, in part or in full. This support letter can be provided by the communications and public relations department, the faculty or a relevant authority. For the FRQ, it is important that the managing institution commit to supporting the proposed initiative and to promoting the resulting activities. As such, a personalized letter detailing this support demonstrates a greater ability to implement the proposed action plan. Only one letter is allowed (maximum one page). This letter can be cosigned if more than one department or service is involved.

6.      A letter of support from a partner deemed essential for the implementation of the science communication action plan (publisher/distributor or other – one letter allowed, max. 1 page).

IMPORTANT NOTE REGARDING THE PROJECT

• Given the project’s potential for outreach not only in Québec but internationally, and the objective of disseminating scientific knowledge to a wide audience, the communication tools related to the project may be in a language other than French, provided that a French translation is provided (e.g., video subtitles).

4.2 IMPORTANT NOTES REGARDING THE APPLICATION PROCESS

• The approval of the managing institution is required before the pre-application and complete application can be transmitted to the FRQ.
• The deadlines fixed by your institution for approval are usually earlier than those specified in the program rules. Contact the appropriate people at your institution to find out the internal deadlines as soon as you start preparing your application.
• All required documents must be included with the pre-application and application for them to be considered eligible. Documents that are illegible or low-resolution or make it impossible to determine eligibility will be rejected.
• No appendices or documents other than those required will be shared with the evaluation committee. Applications cannot be updated after the competition deadline.

5. EVALUATION

5.1 EVALUATION COMMITTEE

A mixed committee made up of researchers and science communication specialists will evaluate the applications received. Given the diverse profiles of evaluation committee members involved in this program, applicants are encouraged, in the documents submitted for evaluation, to present their project in such a way as to be easily understood.

To be recommended for funding, the pre-application must be selected by the evaluation committee and the application must obtain a minimum overall score of 70%.

5.2 EVALUATON CRITERIA

PRE-APPLICATION

In line with the program’s objectives, pre-applications will be assessed according to the following criteria:

• Potential for dialogue with the general public:

o   Approaches or strategy(ies) described;

o   Applicant’s skills and interest in engaging in communication and dialogue activities with the general public.

• Project that focuses on promoting research work (process, results), research results, or innovation resulting from research (and not only promoting science)

o   Scope of the project in the public sphere, particularly in Québec.

• Potential for training a new generation of science communicators.

APPLICATION

In line with the program’s objectives, applications will be assessed according to the following criteria:

Science communication action plan for the general public – 50 points

• Suitability:

o   Relevance of the project with regard to dialogue with the general public and the promotion of research;

o   Original and ambitious nature of the science communication action plan to encourage dialogue between science and society;

o   Quality of the proposed strategies: clear identification of the target audience(s), objectives, number of people potentially reached, and the means used.

• Feasibility:

o   Realism of the project and timeframe in relation to the period covered by the funding;

o   Capacity to implement the proposed action plan.

Training the next generation in science communication – 25 points

• Diversity and quality of planned student involvement, beyond what is provided in study programs.

Anticipated impacts – 15 points

• Scope of the project in the public sphere, particularly in Québec, with regard to the approaches or strategy(ies) for ensuring the dissemination and discoverability of the activities and content produced;
• Magnitude of the anticipated impact of the activities;
• Demonstration that the project would not have gone ahead without the funding provided under this program, or that it goes beyond existing or established communication activities.

Skills and interest – 10 points

• Applicant’s experience and interest in science communication (e.g., public lectures, interviews, blog articles, online videos, science communication training, etc.);
• Quality of scientific achievements and research activities, peer recognition and outreach (transfer activities, conferences, publications, grants and awards, etc.).

6. DESCRIPTION AND NATURE OF FUNDING

6.1 Nature of the grant

• Successful projects will receive a maximum of $40,000 for a maximum period of 18 months. The grant is not renewable.
• The selected projects will be drawn equally from the three FRQ research sectors, as far as possible.
• For each grant awarded, between $5,000 and $7,500 over the 18-month period must be paid to one or two students for their active participation in the implementation of the action plan, in the form of a scholarship or scholarship supplement. A student may not concurrently receive a scholarship for the project presented in this application and funding obtained for a project submitted to the Student component of the DIALOGUE program in the same competition year.
• The grant must be used to finance expenses that are directly related to the implementation of the project.

6.2 Eligible expense categories

Dissemination and knowledge transfer costs

• Costs of setting up, maintaining and promoting a digital platform (website, blog, YouTube channel, etc.).
• Costs related to the production and dissemination of videos (filming, editing, materials, etc.).
• Costs related to the organization and promotion of science communication events or activities.
• Costs related to the production and promotion of popularized content (including social media advertising, partnerships with influencers, etc.).
• Costs related to the printing of promotional material.
• Science communication training.

Student support – scholarships and supplements

• Scholarships or scholarship supplements for college, undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral students and postdoctoral fellows to participate in the implementation of the action plan (mandatory – between $5,000 and $7,500; maximum of two (2) students).

Student support – remuneration

• Remuneration for college, undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral students and postdoctoral fellows to participate in the implementation of the action plan.

Note: In addition to the scholarship or scholarship supplement, and although the FRQ supports the remuneration of students, this should be done sparingly. It is suggested that qualified service providers also be used to ensure a high level of professionalism for funded activities.

Professional fees and compensation

• Science communication resource persons or service providers essential to the project.

Travel and subsistence costs

• Travel expenses of the researcher or invited guests essential to the project (maximum $2,250).

Not eligible:

• Indirect costs of research for managing institution of the principal investigator.
• Remuneration of the principal investigator.

7. REPORTING

• Successful applicants will be required to participate in a follow-up meeting with all grant holders under this program.
• This meeting should take place within three to six months of the announcement of the results.
• An activity report, the format of which will be communicated in due course, must be submitted to the FRQ at the end of the grant period, as set out in the CGR.

8. IMPORTANT DATES AND ANNOUNCEMENT OF RESULTS

November 6, 2025 at 16:00 (EST): deadline for pre-application

January 27, 2026 at 16:00 (EST): deadline for application

April 2026: announcement of results

For the conditions regarding the announcement and acceptance of funding, please refer to Section 5 of the CGR.