Competition year : 
2023-2024

Deadline (application) : 
February 15th, 2023 at 16:00 (EST)

Announcement of results : 
End of March 2023

Amount : 
Up to $5,000

Duration : 
Between 2 and 6 months, or a maximum of 280 hours

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.

Context

Among its mandates, the FRQS has several actions in the promotion and financial support of the training of a new generation of researchers, notably by awarding :

The FRQS aims to improve support for the next generation of researchers, in particular to increase the attractiveness of research training. To do so, we propose the creation of a support program for undergraduate students to introduce them to research.

1. OBJECTIVES

With the Undergraduate Introduction to Research Award, the FRQS allows undergraduate students an access to graduate studies by providing research experience in a university setting, encouraging them to pursue careers in research in the fields covered by the FRQS.

2. ELIGIBILITY

Below are the eligibility requirements for successful candidates and internship settings, as well as the exception measures and restrictions.

Applicants and eligibility period
  • have a health insurance card issued by the Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ) that is valid at the competition deadline or provide proof of application for a RAMQ card whose validity covers the competition deadline. The RAMQ card is issued by the government of Québec so citizens can benefit from the services covered by the province’s health insurance program

OR

be 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. The fall semester of the competition cannot be used to calculate the number of semesters;

  • have been registered, at the time of application, for at least two consecutive full-time sessions or three consecutive part-time sessions in the same undergraduate program;
  • be supervised by an academic researcher meeting status 1 or 2 of the Common General Rules (CGR), section Definitions – Status and Roles;
  • work on a research project in one of the research fields covered by the FRQS
  • submit a complete file (see Required Documents section).

These eligibility requirements must be met throughout the duration of the award.

Internship setting

The internship must be undertaken in a Quebec university setting. The FRQS reserves the right to reject a practice setting that does not meet the program objectives.

3. DURATION OF THE INTERNSHIP

This section shows you the minimum and maximum hours allowed for the internship, as well as the number of hours per week allowed.

Duration and number of hours allowed
  • The duration of the internship is 2 to 6 months, but cannot exceed 280 hours. The internship may exceptionally be carried out in several stages subject to prior approval by the FRQS.
  • It must start no later than 6 months after the application deadline*.

*The start and end dates of the internship may be modified and is  subject to the approval by the FRQ of a documented change request sent by email to the address for the program (bir-sante@frq.gouv.qc.ca). The proposed change must comply with all the eligibility rules and must not change the nature of the internship, as assessed by the FRQ.

4. AMOUNT OF THE AWARD

Below you will find the maximum amount that can be obtained for an internship, as well as the terms for managing the grant.

Amount and award management

Up to $2,500 per month for a total maximum of $5,000 per internship.

This amount will be adjusted according to the duration of the internship and the hours devoted to it. For example:

35 hours per week = $2,500/month for a maximum of 8 weeks or 280 hours

28 hours per week = $2,000/month for a maximum of 10 weeks or 280 hours

21 hours per week = $1500/month for a maximum of 13 weeks or 280 hours

14 hours per week = $1,000/month for a maximum of 20 weeks or 280 hours

7 hours per week = $500/month for a maximum of 24 weeks or 168 hours

Under this program, only one internship may be funded per person.

5. APPLICATION

The following documents must be submitted by the applicant and/or supervisor.

READ CAREFULLY
  • It is the responsibility of the applicant to select the right program and application form. It will not be possible to transfer an application to another program following the eligibility review.
  • The required form and documents must be submitted via the e-Porfolio. Documents submitted by mail or email shall not be accepted.
  • Required documents that are incomplete or invalid shall not be requested and the application shall be deemed ineligible.
  • Documents that are submitted but not required shall be removed from the application prior to the evaluation (e.g. published article, etc.).
  • Documents 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. Other documents submitted in a language other than French or English must include a translation.
Documents required when submitting the application
  • Undergraduate Introduction to Research Award e-form (PDF version for information purposes), including the following documents, which must be attached in the Other documents section:
    • Copy of the valid health insurance card issued by the Régie d’assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ) at the competition deadline or proof of RAMQ eligibility at the competition deadline (official RAMQ document received prior to the card being issued) (essential for eligibility) OR proof of enrolment in a Québec university for a minimum of two (2) terms on a full-time basis (or equivalent) in the three (3) terms prior to the competition deadline. The term of the current competition is excluded from the calculation. The summer semester is calculated as a matter of course, even if the student is not registered. An official transcript or official document from the office of the registrar shall constitute proof of enrolment
    • When the transcript does not consider the current session, the applicant must include proof of registration (i.e. an official transcript or official document from the office of the registrar)
    • Written justification of the choice of internship and practice setting (maximum one page). Read the evaluation grid and use it to draft your letter. The text may be written in French or English
    • Copies of recents and official transcripts for every term of university studies (complete and incomplete)
    • Internship offer form (Formulaire pour le milieu d’accueil) available in the Toolbox duly filled out by the individual who will supervise the internship. Once completed, the form should be no longer than 5 pages in length.
    • One reference letter from a professor
    • Curriculum vitae (free format)
Submission of application
  1. The candidate must create a user account: if this has not already been done, the candidate must create a user account in the e-Portfolio.
  2. Then, complete and submit the electronic application form: the applicant.e may find the application form in their e-Portfolio, under Available competitions/Training and internship awards  (Concours disponibles/Bourses de formation). The completed form must include the supporting documents listed below.
  3. Finally, attach any documentation justifying an exception to the eligibility requirements. The FRQ reserves the right to refuse any request for exception measures that are insufficiently justified.

For details on the measures of exception to eligibility, refer to Sections 3.1 and 4.2 of the Master’s Training Grants programs. It is important to check the correct transmission of the FRQnet electronic form from the Portfolio in the My forms (Mes formulaires) section. The statement: Submitted to the Fonds (Transmis au Fonds) must appear in the form status column.

6. EVALUATION

PROCESS

Applications will be evaluated by a review committee whose members will be chosen by the FRQS in accordance with applicable rules.

To be recommended for funding, the application must receive a minimum overall score of 70%.

The FRQS wishes to focus on flexible, diversified and accessible support for less and less linear and typical career paths by means of excellence grants, which will contribute to the attractiveness of research training and the retention of the best talent from here and elsewhere. In this sense, the evaluation criteria will have less weight on the quality of the academic record, and more on the quality of the research training that will be offered.

Evaluation Grid

Academic background  10

Candidate’s interest in research  25

Internship project  45

Internship Host Setting and Training Offered  20

7. ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE RESULTS

The results are announced no later than 6 weeks after the award’s application submission deadline through the candidate’s FRQnet e-Portfolio.

8. TERMS OF USE

Any change in status must be reported to the FRQS before or during its implementation. At no time is it possible to hold an Undergraduate Introduction to Research Award for a cooperative internship, or to pay for an internship leading to university credits.

It is up to interns to ensure that they are covered by insurance throughout their internship. If the institution does not provide insurance, they are responsible for taking out private insurance.

The start and end dates of the internship may be modified subject to the approval by the FRQS of a documented change request submitted via the FRQnet e-Portfolio. The proposed change must comply with all the eligibility rules and must not change the nature of the internship, as assessed by the FRQ. After analysis, the FRQ may decide to resume, decrease, suspend or terminate the payments. The FRQ could also require repayment of the amounts paid.

FINAL REPORT

A final report on the research initiation activities carried out must be sent to the FRQS no later than one month after the end of the internship by e-mail to bir-sante@frq.gouv.qc.ca. The final report form can be downloaded from the Toolbox (Rapport final).

Receiving funding in another FRQ program is conditional upon receipt of this completed report (see CGR, Section 7).

9. UNDERTAKING

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

10. 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.

11. 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. For more information, see the Knowledge mobilization page.

12. 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.

13. EFFECTIVE DATE

The contents of this program apply to the fiscal year 2023-2024.

14. ANY QUESTIONS?

Contact us at: BIR-Sante@frq.gouv.qc.ca