Competition year : 
2022-2023

Deadline (application) : 
October 5th, 2021 at 16:00 (EST)

Announcement of results : 
April 2022

Amount : 
$21 000 per year

Duration : 
3 years

Partnership

Foundation of Stars

COVID-19

In your application, you will be able to describe how the COVID-19 pandemic may have affected your training or research activities during the past few months, in order for this information to be considered in the evaluation. Please refer to the document “Considering the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic in the evaluation of funding applications” for further information.

REMINDER

It is the applicant’s responsibility to read the Common General Rules (CGR) of the Fonds de recherche du Québec, which apply to all FRQS programs, in addition to these program rules. The particular conditions of the current program are detailed here and take precedence over the CGR.

Objectives

This program is intended for medical students working toward a career that combines research and medical practice. It aims to enable them to concurrently pursue their medical studies and research training at the doctoral level.

1. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Below are the eligibility requirements and restrictions relating to applicants, supervisors and training environments.

Applicants and eligibility period
  • have completed or intend to complete an undergraduate or a graduate (master’s) university degree OR have completed a diploma of college studies and a minimum of 90 credits in a university program (individuals with a diploma of college studies who have not completed 90 credits in a university program must have their application validated in a letter of recommendation from the dean of the faculty of medicine);
  • are enrolled in a regular undergraduate program in medicine in a Québec university AND are concurrently enrolled or intend to concurrently enroll (before January 15, 2023) in a regular doctoral research program (Ph. D.) as part of a structured M.D-Ph. D. program recognized by the FRQS at the same university. To be considered research-based, the doctoral degree program must consist of at least 36 credits related to research and lead to a thesis;
  • were enrolled in a Québec university for at least two (2) full-time semesters (or the equivalent) in the three (3) semesters prior to the competition deadline OR have a health insurance card from the Régie d’assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ) that is valid at the competition deadline or proof that an application for a health insurance card was filed with the RAMQ and that the card will be valid at the competition deadline (see Section 2.1 of the Common General Rules);
  • will submit a research project with a direct bearing on human health that may be completed in up to three (3) years;
  • will temporarily interrupt their regular medical studies for a maximum of 3 years;
  • on April 30, 2022, will have completed no more than fourteen (14) semesters of their doctoral degree program (the number of registered sessions is calculated from the first date of enrolment in a research-based doctoral degree program in human health). The summer semester is calculated as a matter of course, even if the student is not registered.

These requirements shall remain in effect for the tenure of the award.

Supervision of research projects
  • be university researchers or clinical university researchers (see definitions section of the Common General Rules).*

*When an applicant’s research supervisor is located outside Québec, the supervisor must still meet the requirements of the university researcher or clinical university researcher status in terms of university affiliation and autonomy (see definitions section of the Common General Rules).

Training location

The training location must be a recognized research setting in Québec.

Awardees must be physically present at the training location to carry out their research training. Distance learning is not permitted.

Restrictions
  • individuals enrolled in a professional doctoral program;
  • individuals who have already completed a doctoral research program in human health; ;
  • individuals who received funding from a recognized agency (e.g. SSHCR, NSERC, CIRH, FRQNT, FRQS, FRQSC, etc.) over a total period of six (6) years (or 18 semesters) (see section 6.1 of the Common General Rules).
Basic research ethics training

Who is the program aimed at?

Basic research ethics training is mandatory for all FRQS awardees whose project or research program involves humans.

Research involving humans implies:

  • the participation of humans;
  • the use of human biological material (parts, products, tissues, cells, human genetic material from a living or deceased person);
  • assisted human reproduction activities and/or the use of resulting embryos within the meaning of the Act respecting clinical and research activities relating to assisted procreation (CQLR c A-5.01);
  • the use of administrative, scientific or descriptive data from humans.

Developed by the Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux (MSSS), the program includes levels 1 and 3 of the research ethics courseware.

Awardees must complete the training program to receive the first payment of the second year of their FRQS funding (see Required documents section).

2. REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

TIP: Take the time to read the tips to improve the quality of your application page. Without being exhaustive, this information is based on recurrent comments from reviewers and therefore includes elements considered critical in the application review process.

Then, read the list of documents that must be provided by the candidates and their research supervisors (and co- supervisors).

IMPORTANT NOTE!
  • It is the applicant’s responsibility to select the right program and application form. Once the eligibility review is complete, the application shall not be transferred to another program.
  • The form and required documents must be submitted through the electronic portfolio (ePortfolio). Documents received by email or courier shall not be accepted.
  • Required documents that are missing or invalid shall not be requested, and the application shall be deemed ineligible.
  • Unrequired documents (e.g. letter of recommendation, published article, etc.) included in the application shall be removed prior to review.
  • Elements received after the competition deadline shall not be considered. Applications shall not be updated.
  • Official documents submitted in a language other than French or English must include a certified translation of the original document. Other documents submitted in a language other than French or English must include a basic translation.
Documents required at the time of filing (deadline: October 5, 2021, 4 p.m.)

Applicants

  • Canadian Common CV (funding CV for the FRQS) updated in the 12 months prior to the competition deadline (awards and grants must be listed in the research funding section and awards and recognition in the recognition section);
  • Detailed contributions updated in the 12 months prior to the competition deadline (attach document in the FRQS ePortfolio on the Canadian Common CV page).

IMPORTANT NOTE: read the Instructions for the detailed contributions and the common canadian CV document);

  • Doctoral Training for Medical Students (M.D.-Ph. D.) e-form
    PDF version – for information;
  • Copy of a health insurance card from the Régie d’assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ) that is valid at the competition deadline or proof that an application for a health insurance card was filed with the RAMQ and that the card will be valid at the competition deadline. The name and expiry date must be legible. Proof of private insurance shall not be accepted; OR a proof of full-time (or equivalent) enrolment in a Québec university for two (2) of the three (3) semesters prior to the competition deadline. The semester of the competition shall not be used to calculate the two full-time semesters of the three prior to the deadline;
  • Copies of official transcripts (unofficial transcripts in electronic format not accepted) for all years of study (completed and incomplete);
    • For an ongoing study program, the transcripts must be the most recent
    • The transcripts must be complete and include the rating scales (back of the transcript), for both Quebec and foreign applicants
    • Transcripts obtained outside of North America must be accompanied by a letter explaining the grading system in effect at the institution concerned
    • Transcripts issued in a language other than French or English must be accompanied by a professional translation certified as true to the original
  • Attestation from the registrar confirming enrolment in each full-time semester that does not appear on the transcript, as well as for each part-time and/or unregistered semester;
  • Acknowledgements of submitted articles and notifications from editors for accepted articles;
  • Required documents for exceptions, as the case may be (e.g. medical certificate);
  • A letter of recommendation from the dean of the faculty of medicine (only applicants who did not complete 90 course credits in a university program).

Research supervisors (and co- supervisors)

  • Canadian Common CV (funding CV for the FRQS) updated in the 12 months prior to the competition deadline (awards and grants must be listed in the research funding section and awards and recognition in the recognition section);
  • Detailed contributions updated in the 12 months prior to the competition deadline (attach document in the FRQS ePortfolio on the Canadian Common CV page).

IMPORTANT NOTE: read the Instructions for the detailed contributions and the common canadian CV document);

  • Supervisor’s (or co- supervisor’s) e-form, as the case may be
    PDF version – for information

Applicants shall be notified of their eligibility by December 15, 2021.

Documents required throughout the tenure of the award

AT THE START DATE OF THE AWARD AND IN EVERY FOLLOWING SEMESTER

  • Proof of official university enrollment from the Registrar’s Office in doctorate and Medicine programs.

AT THE START OF THE SECOND YEAR OF THE AWARD

Read the awardee’s guide (document menu, ePortfolio blue banner) to learn where to find the required documents and attach them to the ePortfolio.

3. TENURE OF THE AWARD

This section presents the duration of the scholarship and the terms and conditions applicable to certain situations (parental leave, sick leave, disability situation, etc.).

Tenure of the award

The award may begin in May 2022 (summer semester), September 2022 (fall semester) or January 2023 (winter semester) depending on the start date of the study program.

The award covers a period of three (3) years or until the doctorals degree program is completed (final submission of thesis), whichever the earlier. The award is non-renewable.

4. AMOUNT OF THE AWARD

Below you will find the maximum amount that can be obtained for the scholarship as well as information on the frequency of disbursements, taxes and indirect research costs.

Amount and award management

Up to $21 000 per year*, during 3 years of full-time research enrollment

$10,000 per year * for 3 years during which the awardee completes his research project or pursues research activities (seminars, thesis writing) in concurrently with his medical studies

*Exceptions apply (see Partnership awards section)

5. QUOTAS PER UNIVERSITY

Only one scholarship is awarded per university, each year. Exceptionally, a second scholarship could be awarded to the same university if no application for the M.D.-M. Sc. is not subject to it.

6. OTHER FUNDING

This section lists the amounts that it is possible, or not, to accumulate with the FRQS scholarship, whether it is income from employment, other scholarships, internship or others.

Award supplement

The institution or research supervisor may grant an award supplement, which should not be reported in the ePortfolio.
It is the FRQS awardee’s responsibility to determine if the award supplement is allowed by the institution or research supervisor.

Concurrent awards

Awardees may not hold concurrent awards.

  • FRQS awardees who sought and received an award from another public funding agency or foundation recognized by the FRQS must inform the FRQS and decline the Fonds’ award when it is offered, except in the case of a supplement from the Institut de recherche Robert-Sauvé en santé et sécurité du travail (IRSST).
  • However, if the other award has a lesser value or shorter funding period, the recipient is eligible to receive an amount to cover the difference.

7. CHANGES TO THE TRAINING LOCATION, RESEARCH PROJECT, PROGRAM OR SUPERVISOR

Awardees who seek to change their research project, supervisor, program or training location must submit the request for changes form and required documents in a single PDF file (see awardee’s guide).

Any changes to an awardee’s status must be reported in the funding management module of the ePortfolio, as specified in Section 6.5 of the Common General Rules. Read the awardee’s guide for further details on informing the FRQS of any changes.

In the interest of fairness, the Fonds shall ensure the requested change does not challenge the outcome of the scientific review and meets all eligibility requirements and program rules. The request shall be reviewed by the Fonds, which may decide to pursue, reduce, suspend or terminate the payments. The Fonds may also require that the amounts paid be reimbursed. The decision shall be communicated by email.

The FRQS reserves the right to reject any incomplete request.

8. EVALUATION

All applications are reviewed by expert committees that balance expertise and institutional representativeness. To be recommended for funding, an application must obtain a minimum overall score of 70%.

Quality and scientific interest of the research project

30

Clarity of the research issue and congruence of the hypotheses and objectives

9

Relevance of the methods and analyses

7

Feasibility

7

Originality of the project and contribution to the advancement of knowledge

7

Quality of the training location

15

Applicant’s rationale for selecting the training location

8

Quality of the supervisor’s publications as they relate to the training

7

Excellence of the academic record

25

Academic record: scores and grades, progress, maintaining excellence

15

Awards, prizes and recognition

10

Skills and experience

30

Publications

15

Lectures and presentations

8

Contribution to research projects and training

7

9. FINAL REPORT

Awardees must submit a final report at the end of the semester of their last payment. Awardees will be notified by email when the final report form is available in the FRQS ePortfolio. The form must be completed and submitted by the deadline. The granting of further funding under another FRQS program is conditional upon the submission of the duly completed final report.

10. UNDERTAKING

All applications submitted to the program must comply with the requirements set out in the FRQnet portals and e-forms.

11. OPEN ACCESS

In accordance with the FRQ’s open access policy (Politique de diffusion en libre accès des Fonds de recherche du Québec), all awardees will make their scientific publications available in open access in the twelve months after they are published. Go to the FRQ’s open science page for more information.

12. KNOWLEDGE MOBILIZATION

The FRQS encourages awardees to lead and contribute to knowledge mobilization activities (transfer, sharing, development, outreach and dissemination) with practice settings and the public. More information is available in the knowledge mobilization document.

13. EQUITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

The Fonds de recherche du Québec seek to support a research ecosystem based on equity, diversity and inclusion. Measures have therefore been implemented to ensure greater account of these principles is taken. The individuals who receive funding are also encouraged to prioritize these principles within the context of their research activities. Further details are available in the FRQS’s statements on equity, diversity and inclusion.

14. IMPORTANT CHANGES SINCE THE LAST COMPETITION

None

15. AWARDS IN PARTNERSHIP

The FRQS offers a number of awards in collaboration with partners. The share of funding from the FRQS and the partner may vary according to the agreements in effect.

Eligible applicants are selected through a three-step process:

  1. The applicant selects, in the Partnership [Partenariat] section of the application form, one or more partners whose targeted research areas correspond to the theme of their application.
  2. The FRQS sends to the partners a list of candidates and useful information for them to assess the relevance of the request according to their research priorities and strategy.
  3. After evaluation of the applications by a committee of experts or peers, applications having obtained the scientific excellence rating of 70 % and which have been deemed relevant by one or more partners, may receive a partnership award offer.

As with all the awards offered by FRQS, the awards granted in partnership are based on merit following a scientific evaluation by a committee of experts or peers.

Note that by choosing to be considered for an award in partnership, and that you obtain such an award, you agree that the partner communicates with you for activities related to the award.

Foundation of the stars

Childhood illnesses

Training awards in the Pediatric research field, primarily in the area of childhood diseases. Amount of the award: $25,000