Competition year : 
2023-2024

Deadline (application) : 
October 6th, 2022 at 16:00 (EST)

Announcement of results : 
April 2023

Amount : 
$45,000 per year

Duration : 
Up to 6 semesters

1. OBJECTIVES

This program refers to the Common General Rules (CGR) of the Fonds de recherche du Québec (FRQ). These rules apply to all FRQ funding offers. Only the specific requirements for this program are indicated in this document and take precedence over the CGR.

The scholarships granted by the Fonds de recherche du Québec aim to:

  • help support new generations of students in a range of research sectors:
    • natural sciences, mathematics sciences and engineering (FRQNT)
    • human health (FRQS)
    • humanities, social sciences, art and literature (FRQSC)
  • spark the interest of new generations of students in research; and
  • support research excellence by providing financial assistance to the best students as they undertake or pursue a postgraduate training research program.

This particular program is designed for human health professionals who seek to gain health research training after completing a professional degree. It aims to enable them to concurrently pursue a career as a clinician and researcher. Applicants to this program must dedicate at least 75% of their time to research activities.

2. AMOUNTS AWARDED

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2.1 Value of the scholarship

The postdoctorate scholarship is valued at $45,000/year.

The maximum amount is six (6) payments totalling $90,000.

Fellows may apply for a renewal in the same competition for a subsequent year if they wish to extend their postdoctoral fellowship award by one year. An additional year’s award of $45,000 may be granted following the evaluation. See the following section “Renewal” for more details.

3. RENEWAL

The renewal application is made on the same form and according to the same schedule as the initial application. It is the applicant’s responsibility to apply at the right time, considering that the deadline for application is in October of each year, that the results come out in May, and that the scholarship must begin within one year of the results being announced. Proper planning can eventually ensure that the applicant has access to an award without interruption.

Awardees may apply to renew their award for a third year. The application must be submitted according to the same eligibility and review calendar as the initial application (competition deadline in the fall, competition results the following spring). It is therefore the applicant’s responsibility to submit the application to the right competition to ensure the funding is not discontinued.

Applicants must submit their renewal application to the same program for which they currently receive funding, even if they have obtained permanent resident status or Canadian citizenship since the start of the tenure of the award.

Awards may only be renewed once.

Awardees who have received three (3) or more years of postdoctoral training awards since the initial FRQS award, regardless of the funding agency, are not eligible for renewed funding.

4. ELIGIBILITY

Applicants must meet all eligibility requirements in effect during the competition period, as stipulated in the program rules and the CGR.

4.1 Applications and eligibility period

This program is intended for candidates who:

  • wish to undertake or pursue a professional postgraduate research training program in one of the fields covered by the Health Fund;
  • completed or intend to complete a professional university degree in human health and obtain a license valid in Québec from the start date of the award and throughout the tenure of the award.
4.2 Citizenship and domicile

To be eligible for a professional postgraduate research training scholarship, the applicant must :

  • have a health insurance card from the Régie d’assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ) that is valid at the competition deadline or proof of RAMQ eligibility at the competition deadline (see Section 2.1 of the Common General Rules);

OR, if you do not have a RAMQ (or a proof that a RAMQ card has been requested), you must complete one of the following three situations:

  • have lived in Québec during six (6) of the seven (7) months prior to the competition deadline;
  • be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident domiciled in Québec as stipulated in the Health Insurance Act (CQLR a A-29);
  • be a Canadian citizen domiciled in a province other than Québec.

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

4.3 Research supervisor

The applicant’s research director must be a status 1 or 2 researcher (see the Definitions section of the CGR), even if they work outside Québec.

4.4 Training location

Canadian citizens domiciled in Québec

Canadian citizens must choose a host institution other than the institution that granted the doctorate and preferably one outside Québec*.

To use a training award outside Québec, awardees must :

  • have a valid RAMQ card or proof of eligibility for the RAMQ a Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ) card that is valid at the competition deadline or proof of eligibility for RAMQ covering the competition deadline

AND

  • be a Canadian citizen at the time of filing the application.

Permanent residents and Canadian citizens domiciled outside Québec

Permanent residents and Canadian citizens in other Canadian provinces must choose a training location in Québec*.

*Awardees must complete their research training in the physical location of the host institution. Distance learning is not allowed.

4.5 Restrictions
  • Individuals who hold a university position are ineligible, unless they take an unpaid leave for the entire tenure of the training award. The employer must provide an official letter attesting to the individual’s employment status for the period and her/his return to work once the training period has ended;
  • Applicants holding a Ph. D. those with both a professional degree and a doctorate (Ph. D.) and wishing to continue their research training must choose the postdoctoral fellowship program.
  • Individuals who have already been awarded three or more years of postdoctoral awards since the initial FRQ award was offered, regardless of the funding agency are ineligible for renewal.

5. APPLICATION

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IMPORTANT NOTES
  • The 2023–2024 application e-form (see pdf for information) will be available on the respective websites of the Fonds at least one month prior to the competition deadline. The form must be submitted electronically by the competition deadline, as determined by the Fonds.
  • IMPORTANT NOTE (Section 3.3 CGR): Applicants must prepare their application sufficiently in advance to ensure they have all the required documents and submit the form by the competition deadline. Applicants must also anticipate and consider the high volume of funding applications received by the Fonds near the competition deadline.
  • APPLICATIONS RECEIVED AFTER THE COMPETITION DEADLINE WILL BE DEEMED INELIGIBLE BY THE FONDS.
  • The links to the FRQnet electronic portfolio (ePortfolio) and the competition forms are available in the Portal access tab of the website. Additional information is available in the Documents menu of the FRQnet ePortfolio.
  • It is the sole responsibility of the applicant to select the right form from the right Fonds de recherche. In the event of an error, the Fonds will not transfer an application from one program to another, and the application will be deemed ineligible as part of the eligibility verification process or by the review committee.
  • Applications should be written in French but may also be in English. However, the title and summary of the project (when required) must be in French.
  • Refer to the presentation standards for attachments in the FRQnet ePortfolio for further details.
  • All required documents must be included with the application for it to be considered eligible. Documents that are illegible or low-resolution and those that do not make it possible to determine eligibility will not be accepted.
  • Official documents submitted in a language other than English or French must include a certified professional translation. Any other documents submitted in a language other than English or French must include a simple translation.
5.1 Selection of the review committee

Applicants are responsible for selecting their review committee. No changes may be made after the competition deadline. The choice must be made on the basis of the research topic, field and training program.

5.2 Required documents

Canadian Common CV (FRQS funding CV version)

The CV must be up to date, i.e., updated within the 12 months preceding the competition closing date (scholarships and fellowships must be listed in the Research Funding section and prizes and awards in the Recognition section).

Detailed Contributions

Detailed contributions that are up to date, i.e., updated within the 12 months preceding the competition closing date (to be attached in the FRQS electronic portfolio on the Canadian Common CV page).

Copy of doctoral degree (except for renewal applications)

If not available, the copy of the official transcript of the doctorate is sufficient.

Transcripts

  • Transcripts that are missing, incomplete, unofficial, uncertified or not up-to-date shall render the application ineligible.
  • Copies of all transcripts are required for all the applicant’s academic studies, whether completed or not, including transcripts from exchange programs and courses (equivalencies), if applicable.
  • The transcript for an applicant’s current program of study must include the last semester completed prior to the competition deadline, including the summer semester, if applicable.
  • The elements that make a transcript official may differ from one academic institution to the next. Nevertheless, to be considered official by the Fonds, each transcript must:
    • be issued by the relevant academic institution; AND
    • include the elements that prove it is an official transcript from the academic institution, including the university seal and/or signature of the registrar and/or wording such as official transcript, etc.
    • A WATERMARK does not render a transcript unofficial if the requirements specified above are met.

If there is any doubt as to the authenticity of a transcript, the Fonds reserve the right to confirm the information with the applicant and with the academic institution.

A transcript submitted in a sealed envelope from a registrar’s office may be opened and scanned.

Other documents to be attached with the transcripts (if applicable)

  • For transcripts obtained outside North America, a document explaining the current grading system. The attachment must clearly explain the grading system so that the transcripts may be easily understood;
  • Explanatory letter from the institution (registrar’s office or equivalent administrative body) when no transcript is issued. The attachment must detail the reason(s) for the missing transcripts. The Fonds reserve the right to verify the admissibility of the reasons given;
  • Explanatory letter from the applicant and signed by the department chair of the host institution when no transcript is issued and the applicant is unable to obtain a letter from the university.

RAMQ health insurance card

  • 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 OR evidence of eligibility to the health care plan of another Canadian province covering the competition deadline (except for renewal applications). The name and expiry date must be legible. Proof of private insurance shall not be accepted;
  • If the Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ) card or a proof of eligibility for RAMQ is not provided, please include an official document confirming that the individual lived in Québec on a regular and daily basis for at least six months within the seven months prior to the competition closing date (see the list of accepted documentation);

Acknowledgement of receipt from publishers

Acknowledgements for all papers submitted to publishers and publisher notifications for papers accepted for publication (acknowledgements for previously published papers are not shared with the committee).

Additional documents

Applicants who completed one or more part-time semesters since the date at which they first registered for a graduate program and applicants whose transcripts do not include all registered semesters:

  • Attestation from the registrar’s office indicating all semesters.

Applicants seeking to avail themselves of an exception:

  • Official document attesting to the duration of the parental leave or sick leave, such as a medical certificate or a copy of the child’s birth certificate.
  • In the case of a major family obligation or a person with a disability, documents attesting to the situation.

No appendices or documents other than those required will be shared with the review committee. Applications cannot be updated after the competition deadline.

Notice

Applicants will receive an email notification to inform them that their application was either sent to the review committee or deemed ineligible by December at the latest. Applicants who have not received an email notification must contact the program manager before the end of December.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Any anticipated changes to the training location, research supervisor, project, training program, etc. between the time the application is submitted and the scholarship announcement, if applicable, must be communicated to the Fonds. After analysis, the Fonds may deem an application ineligible. No document may be added to an application in connection with a change.

6. EVALUATION

For more information on the rules regarding the evaluation process, refer to Section 4 of the CGR.

Applications are reviewed according to the following evaluation criteria and weighting:

Criteria - postdoctoral training scholarship

Academic record and progress (35 points)

  • Transcripts
  • Honours (scholarships, distinctions, scholarships)
  • Achievements (scientific, professional, social, etc.) and relevant experience (related and unrelated to the project or academic progress)

Research project (50 points)

  • Originality, added value relative to the applicant’s doctoral training, and contribution to the advancement of knowledge
  • Clarity and coherence of the research problem
  • Relevance of the methodology and consideration of EDI principles, if applicable
  • Feasibility of the project and realism of the time frame
  • Potential of the project to contribute to societal issues, including those outlined in the SDGs, if applicable.

Host environment (15 points)

  • Justification and relevance of the chosen host environment, including the environment available to the applicant for his or her development and the realization of the project
  • Added value for the development of the applicant’s career plan

TOTAL (100 points)

RENEWAL APPLICATION: CRITERIA AND WEIGHTING

Research project’s state of advancement since the start of postdoctoral training (60 points)

  • Level of completion of the project in view of the methodology and the research area (20 points)
  • Justification for renewal and potential for successful outcome (20 points)
  • Research supervisor’s evaluation (20 points)

Achievements since the start of postdoctoral training (40 points)

  • Lectures and presentations (20 points)
  • Publications (20 points)

7. OPEN ACCESS POLICY

Peer-reviewed publications stemming from the research funded by the scholarship must be made immediately available on an open access (non-embargoed) basis under an open license in accordance with the FRQ’s Open access policy for the dissemination of research (revised 2022).

8. 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.

Kidney Foundation of Canada and Canadian Society of Nephrology – KRESCENT program

Kidney health

Candidates must also submit an application to the KRESCENT Program (Kidney Research Scientist Core Education and National Training).

Foundation of Stars (Fondation des étoiles)

Early childhood diseases

Training scholarships in the Pediatric research field, primarily in the area of childhood diseases. Amount of the scholarship: $51,000 per year.

Parkinson Canada

Parkinson’s disease

Training Awards in the Parkinson’s Disease research field. Candidates must also submit an application to Parkinson Canada.

Parkinson Quebec

Parkinson’s disease

Training scholarship in the field of Parkinson.

Alzheimer Society of Canada

Alzheimer’s disease

Candidates must also submit an application to the Alzheimer Society of Canada. Amount of the award: $51,500 per year

Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada

Multiple Sclerosis

Training scholarships in the Multiple Sclerosis research field.  All candidates must also submit an application to the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada.

SPOR Support Unit in Québec (Unité de soutien SRAP du Québec)

Patient-Oriented Research

The Patient-Oriented Research Strategy Support Unit (SPOR) is a provincial unit of the national SPOR network of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). Nestled at the heart of a learning health system, it supports and catalyzes the continuous improvement of the Quebec health system by mobilizing the research, health and social services communities, with and for the population. The grants offered in partnership with the Unit allow grant holders to hone their skills and gain experience in patient-oriented research, to network and to work in interdisciplinarity with the various actors and stakeholders of a health-centric learning system.

9. USING A SCHOLARSHIP FROM THE FONDS

To maintain a scholarship or supplement, the awardee must meet these basic requirements throughout the funding period:

  • Meet citizenship and residency requirements;
  • Be enrolled in the training program for which the scholarship was granted on a full-time basis (subject to the exceptions specified in this section);
  • Comply with the rules pertaining to employment and internships.

Awardees must also comply with all the requirements specified in the program rules and CGR.

Awardees who are registered in a program outside Québec (when permitted under the terms of the scholarship) must request official proof of registration from their university at the start of every semester and send it to the Fonds. For awardees registered in a Québec university, proof of registration is sent directly to the Fonds by the institution.

Awardees must notify the Fonds as soon as possible when a requirement is no longer met and whenever there is a change in their situation that could affect compliance with the terms of the scholarship. Failure to do so may result in the cancellation of the scholarship and/or the obligation to reimburse the amounts received.

9.1 Coming into effect of the scholarship

The award may begin between May 2022 and March 2023, on the first of the month.

For awardees whose training program is underway when the scholarship letter is issued, the first payment will be made as of May 30 after the scholarship is granted (summer semester).

9.2 Payments and management

Payments are conditional on compliance with the basic requirements and submission of all requirements documents in the FRQnet electronic portfolio (ePortfolio). Refer to the Scholarship holder’s guide to using an FRQS scholarship (Document Menu, blue Portfolio banner) for information on where to find the required documents and how to attach them to the ePortfolio.

9.3 Exceptions for awardees registered as part-time students

In all the following cases, the Fonds reserve the right to deny an insufficiently justified request.

Part-time studies are permitted only in these cases:

This exception is only available to an awardee who is the caregiver for a close family member, who is the primary caregiver for a young child (5 years and under) or who has a medical condition that prevents them from following a full-time program (in the case of a disability, see Section 9.3.2). During part-time semesters, the awardee may receive 50% of the value of the scholarship payments.

Awardees who want to avail themselves of this exception must complete their FRQnet ePortfolio and attach the following documents:

  • Proof of part-time studies from the university
  • Copy of the medical certificate (caregiver, medical condition) or the birth or adoption certificate of a child (parent)

It is possible to receive concurrent parental insurance plan benefits, as applicable.

The Fonds reserve the right to deny an insufficiently justified request.

9.4 Concurrent scholarships

The following table details the rules for concurrent funding.

Type of scholarship / Scholarship program

Training scholarships (master’s, doctoral and postdoctoral) from federal funding agencies: Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) and Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)

Rules for concurrent funding

Partial* concurrent funding allowed

Type of scholarship / Scholarship program

Training scholarships (master’s, doctorate, postdoctoral, partnership) from Québec funding agencies such as the Fonds de recherche du Québec – Santé (FRQS), the Fonds de recherche du Québec – Société et culture (FRQSC), the Fonds de recherche du Québec – Nature et technologies (FRQNT)

Rules for concurrent funding

No concurrent funding

Type of scholarship / Scholarship program

Scholarships from Canadian and Québec government departments and agencies other than those mentioned above

Rules for concurrent funding

Concurrent funding allowed

Type of scholarship / Scholarship program

Co-supervised international mobility scholarships and scholarships for internships outside Québec

Rules for concurrent funding

Concurrent funding allowed

Type of scholarship / Scholarship program

Scholarships from the Canada Council for the Arts (CCA) or Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec (CALQ)

Rules for concurrent funding

No concurrent funding when the scholarships are for the same project

Type of scholarship / Scholarship program

Scholarships from the private sector, internal scholarships from universities and affiliated centres and supplementary scholarships from the research supervisor

Rules for concurrent funding

Concurrent funding allowed

*Partial concurrent funding with a scholarship from a federal funding agency

Partial concurrent funding with a scholarship from a federal funding agency is possible when the scholarship from the Fonds is of a higher value or longer duration than the scholarship with which concurrent funding is prohibited. In such cases, the awardee must accept the federal scholarship. However, the awardee may also accept the scholarship from the Fonds in order to take advantage of additional benefits that are not covered by the federal scholarship, as applicable.

  • When the value of the scholarship from the Fonds is higher than that of the other scholarship, the amount will be adjusted to make up for the shortfall;
  • When the duration of the scholarship from the Fonds is longer than that of the other scholarship, the Fonds will extend the term of the scholarship to make up for the shortfall when the other scholarship ends, unless the total value of the other scholarship is equal to or higher than the total value of the scholarship from the Fonds.
  • All the financial benefits associated with the Fonds’ scholarship will also be made available by the Fonds.

It is not possible to defer a payment or the start of a scholarship to receive another scholarship with which concurrent funding is prohibited.

Awardees who receive payments in a situation in which concurrent funding is prohibited will be required to reimburse the sums paid.

9.5 Scholarship supplements

During the authorised suspension of the research project due to the birth or adoption of a child, a scholarship holder may apply for an eight-month continuous parental leave supplement. This supplement may be requested only by those who have already received their first instalment as a grant holder.

To be eligible for this supplement, the scholarship holder must not be enrolled in a training programme or be in paid employment for the duration of the leave. In the case of partial cumulation, the scholarship supplement cannot be granted when a parental leave allowance is received from a federal agency. In this case, the scholarship holder must take the paid leave offered by the federal agency. If your university permits, parental leave may be extended for an additional four months at no additional cost.

9.6 Employment and internships

In compliance with the conditions detailed here, an awardee may accept a lectureship, an internship (mandatory or not) or paid employment.

9.7 Deferral

Deferral of payment is permitted for sick leave (refer to CGR Section 6.14), parental leave (refer to CGR Section 6.13) or family leave or to gain relevant experience.

9.8 Discontinuation of the training program and part-time enrolment

An awardee who withdraws during the semester or who decides to pursue their studies on a part-time basis, except for the cases described in sections 8.3 and 8.6.2, is no longer eligible for the scholarship and must notify the Fonds to terminate it. The awardee may be required to reimburse the amounts paid.

9.9 Completion of the training program and graduation

An awardee is eligible to receive payments until the final submission of the thesis. Full-time enrolment is not required after the thesis has been submitted.

9.10 Request for changes

Any change in an awardee’s situation must be communicated to the Fonds via the FRQnet ePortfolio. For reasons of equity, the Fonds will ensure the requested change does not impact the outcome of the application’s initial evaluation and remains in compliance with the eligibility requirements and program rules. The Fonds will assess the requested change and may decide to continue, reduce, suspend or terminate the payments. The Fonds my also require that the awardee reimburse the sums paid.

In all the following cases, the Fonds reserve the right to deny a request that is insufficiently justified or that calls into question the elements set out in the preceding paragraph.

10. EFFECTIVE DATE

These rules apply to fiscal year 2023–2024.

11. IMPORTANT CHANGES SINCE THE LAST COMPETITION

  • Evaluation
  • Eligibility
  • Rules to use a scholaship