Postdoctoral Research Scholarship (B3X) 2022-2023

1. Objectives

The Fonds de recherche du Québec – Nature et technologies (FRQNT) Postdoctoral research scholarship program has the following objectives:

• Help support a new generation of scientists working in various research environments in natural science, mathematics or engineering fields;
• Encourage new doctorate holders to broaden their areas of research;
• Encourage the mobility of student researchers toward scientifically stimulating and dynamic environments (universities, industries, government agencies, university-affiliated service institutions, etc.).

In keeping with its Knowledge Mobilization Strategy, the FRQNT encourages funding recipients to carry out such activities (sharing, valorization, dissemination, etc.) for the general public, whenever such activities are relevant in the context of their research.

Postdoctoral research scholarships:

Are intended for researchers in training who obtained their doctorate and who wish to begin or pursue postdoctoral research in a field covered by the FRQNT.

2. Eligibility requirements

Applicants must meet all the eligibility requirements at the competition deadline of 4 p.m. on October 7, 2021. Applicants and scholarship holders must meet all eligibility requirements in effect at the time of application, the program rules and the CGR for the entire period covered by the scholarship.

2.1 Eligibility period and target group

This program is intended for applicants who:

• Obtained their doctorate within 2 years prior to the competition deadline;

OR

• Have not yet finished their doctorate, but who plan to make their initial thesis submission no later than March 1^st, 2023, the deadline by which scholarship payments must begin.

The doctorate is considered to have been obtained on the date at which all degree requirements were completed, including the successful completion of the thesis examination and submission of the revised version of the document.

In the case of applicants with more than one doctorate, the date of the first doctorate prevails.

2.2 Exceptions in calculating eligibility period

Exceptions to the rules governing the eligibility period for scholarships are considered only in circumstances beyond the applicant’s control, such as serious illness or major family obligations. In such a case, the applicant must provide the FRQNT with a notice describing the nature of the requested interruption and, if necessary, a medical certificate stating the duration and reason for the interruption.

Applicants who interrupt their studies for maternity or parental leave can request an extension of their eligibility period for a maximum of 12 months. Supporting documents must be included with the application.

When the student is a person with a disability as stipulated in the Act to secure the handicapped persons in the exercise of their rights with a view to achieving social, school and workplace integration (L.R.Q. c. E-20.1), the rules pertaining to the eligibility period do not apply. The duration of the scholarship remains unchanged at two years. Supporting documents must be included with the application.

The Fonds reserves the right to refuse any request for eligibility period exceptions that is not sufficiently justified.

2.3 Citizenship and residence

To be eligible for a Postdoctoral Research Scholarship, applicants must provide proof that they have been living in Québec for six of the seven months prior to the competition deadline OR have a Régie d’assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ) card that is valid at the competition deadline or proof of application for a RAMQ card and that the card will be valid at the competition deadline.

To be eligible for a Postdoctoral Research Scholarship, the place where the research will be carried out must be in Québec. However, the place where the research will be carried out can be outside Québec if the applicant has a Régie d’assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ) card that is valid at the competition deadline or proof of application for a RAMQ card and that the card will be valid at the competition deadline AND is a Canadian citizen.

Applicants who do not have a valid RAMQ card or proof of eligibility for RAMQ at the time of application, or who are not Canadian citizens, must conduct their research in Québec. Their continuous physical presence in Québec is required for the duration of the scholarship.

2.4 Restrictions

Eligible applicants may submit only one application per year to one postdoctoral research program of one of the three Québec funding agencies.

Only one application may be submitted to any given scholarship program in a single year.

Applicants who have received or are currently receiving a postdoctoral research scholarship from a Québec or federal granting agency are not eligible for this competition.

2.5 Choice of host environment(s) (supervision and co-supervision, if applicable)

The postdoctoral research must be carried out at an institution other than the one that awarded the applicant’s doctorate. Internationally recognized research environments located outside Québec are preferred. Exceptionally, applicants who demonstrates that their mobility is restricted due to serious illness, a disability or major family obligations can carry out their research in the same institution as that which awarded the doctorate.

Applicants who wish to request an exception are strongly advised to consult with the program manager before submitting their application to the Fonds.

Supervising institution

An applicant’s doctoral supervisors and co-supervisors may not supervise his/her postdoctoral studies, even if they have changed institutions. Exceptionally, in the case of applicants who demonstrate that their mobility is restricted due to serious illness, a disability or major family obligations, post-doctoral supervision can be provided by their doctoral supervisors and co-supervisors if it is also shown that it is impossible for the postdoctoral studies to be supervised by any other person.

Co-supervising institution

The postdoctoral research can be co-supervised, provided that the applicant spends a minimum of 6 months at the co-supervisory environment.

2.6 Choice of evaluation committee

Applicants are responsible for choosing their evaluation committee. No changes can be made after the competition deadline. This choice must be based on the research topic. Other factors to be considered are the applicant’s field of study and research program.

Once awarded, the scholarship cannot be used for research on a subject in a field not covered by the committee that evaluated the application.

2.7 Paid leave

Applicants who are on a sabbatical or study leave with remuneration that exceeds 50% of their regular salary are not eligible. However, those receiving deferred remuneration are not subject to this restriction.

3. Contents of the funding application and required documents

The Fonds uses the Canadian Common CV in FRQNT format and requires a PDF file of detailed contributions. See the “Canadian Common CV” section in the applicant’s portfolio. All attached documents and section of the electronic application form, including the Detailed Contributions attachment, must meet the standards presented in the Application presentation standards – FRQNT document available in the Portal access tab of the website. Failure to adhere to these standards could render the application INELIGIBLE.

The applicant must create a user account in order to complete the scholarship application form. The form is available on the FRQNT website. It must be completed and submitted electronically by the competition deadline. Once completed, applicants can print the form and keep a copy for their records.

The applicant must also update his or her profile by completing the self-identification questionnaire in the FRQnet portal.

An applicant who chooses the multidisciplinary committee (14) must attach a one-page document to the form, in the “Other documents” section, explaining the multidisciplinary aspect of the program of study (Section 3).

The supervisor must complete a letter of acceptance from his or her user account on the FRQNT website.

The applicant must complete and submit the electronic Canadian Common CV form available on the FRQNT website.

The form and the letter of acceptance may be completed in English or French. Applicants who submit the form in English must provide a French title and abstract for their project.

Required documents:

Required documents must be submitted electronically in the appropriate sections of the application form. Any documents that are illegible or of a poor resolution will be rejected.

Applicants are responsible for their application, which must include all required documents and attachments to be considered eligible. Applicants must also ensure that their supervisor has submitted the letter of acceptance by the competition deadline.

Applicants must supply the following supporting documents:

TRANSCRIPTS (mandatory – any missing, incomplete, unofficial or out-of-date transcripts, as well as the absence of any other required document listed below, will render the application ineligible):

A copy of all transcripts is required, for all doctoral studies pursued by the applicant, whether completed or not. This includes transcripts from exchange programs or courses (equivalencies), where applicable.

Transcripts must be up-to-date and include all completed semesters and grading scales (back of transcript).

Transcripts sent to the Fonds must be official. What makes a transcript official may differ from one academic institution to another. Nonetheless, to be deemed official by the Fonds, each transcript must:

1. be issued by the institution in question; and
2. include elements indicating that it is an official transcript for that academic institution. This may be the seal or stamp of the issuing institution AND/OR the registrar’s signature AND/OR the notation “Official Transcript”, etc.

THE PRESENCE OF A WATERMARK will not render a transcript unofficial, as long as it meets the requirements specified above.

Any transcript that does not meet the requirements specified above or is not a certified copy of the original will be considered UNOFFICIAL and will render the application ineligible. If there is any doubt about the authenticity of a transcript included with the application, the Fonds reserves the right to verify with the applicant or the institution concerned.

A transcript delivered in a sealed envelope by the registrar’s office can be opened and its contents scanned. Opening the envelope to scan the transcript will not render it unofficial for the purposes of the Fonds.

PLEASE NOTE: For a current program of study, the transcript must include the last semester completed before the competition deadline, including the summer session, if applicable.

Other documents to be provided with the transcripts, where applicable:

• Document explaining the grading system for transcripts from institutions outside North America. This letter must clearly explain the grading system used, so that the transcripts can be properly understood;
• Letter of explanation from the institution (registrar’s office or equivalent administrative body) if no transcript is issued. The letter must state the reasons for the missing transcript;
• If no transcript is issued but the applicant is unable to obtain a letter from the university, a letter of explanation written by the applicant, endorsed by the department director at the host institution, justifying the absence of the transcript;
• If the doctoral program has been completed, a copy of the doctoral diploma or proof of successful completion of the thesis defense and a copy of proof that the final version of the thesis was submitted.

RAMQ card:

• An applicant who has not been living in Québec (with the appropriate visas and authorizations) on a regular and daily basis for at least six months of the seven months prior to the competition deadline must provide a photocopy of a Québec health insurance (RAMQ) card that is valid at the competition deadline or other official document from the Régie de l’assurance maladie (RAMQ) confirming residency status in Québec under the meaning of the Québec health Insurance Act. If such a document is not available, proof of application for a RAMQ card and that the card will be valid at the competition deadline;
• An applicant who is a Canadian citizen and who wishes, or may wish, to use a training award to undertake studies outside Québec must provide a photocopy of a Québec health insurance (RAMQ) card that is valid at the competition deadline or other official document from the Régie de l’assurance maladie (RAMQ) confirming residency status in Québec under the meaning of the Québec health Insurance Act. If such a document is not available, proof of application for a RAMQ card and that the card will be valid at the competition deadline;

Study of work permit:

• An applicant who is not a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada must provide a copy of his or her study permit or work permit issued by Citizenship and Immigration Canada;

Additional documents for applicants seeking eligibility period exceptions:

• An official document indicating the duration of the parental leave or sick leave or the nature of the disability, such as a medical certificate or copy of the child’s birth certificate.

Additional document for applicants who are carrying out their research abroad and who are assured a regular position in a Québec research centre or university upon their return:

• A letter from the director of the research centre or university department confirming that the position will be granted when the applicant returns.

Only the electronic forms for the 2022-2023 financial year and the other required documents are accepted. No appendices or other unrequested documents will be forwarded to the evaluation committee. Files cannot be updated after the competition deadline. It is, however, important to update your contact information in your FRQnet portfolio.

The FRQNT reserves the right to verify with institutions concerned the authenticity of any documents and information provided with the application. Additional documents may be required.

Any official document submitted in a language other than French or English must be accompanied by a professional translation certified as a true copy of the original. Any other document submitted in a language other than French or English must be accompanied by a basic translation.

4. Submitting the funding application

The funding application must be completed using the form available in the FRQnet Portfolio.

• The funding application must be submitted to the FRQNT before 4 p.m. on October 7, 2021.

Applicants must attach all required documents in the appropriate tabs of the application form and submit the application before the competition deadline. No reminder will be made, and no documents can be added after the competition deadline.

Important: Incomplete applications will be deemed INELIGIBLE.

Eligibility of applications

The program manager and members of the evaluation committees verify the eligibility of each application according to the requirements set out in the program rules (Section 2).

Acknowledgement of receipt

You will receive a preliminary decision regarding the eligibility of your application by e-mail in December at the latest. Applicants who have not received this notification should contact the program manager before December 15.

5. Evaluation of applications

5.1 Evaluation criteria

Applications are assessed based on the following criteria and weighting:

6. Announcement of results and value of the scholarship

6.1 Announcement of results

Applicants are evaluated and ranked on merit by the evaluation committees. For each committee or group, scholarships are offered according to the available budget. When allocating its budget, the FRQNT reserves the right to change its scholarships in keeping with objectives chosen by the Board of Directors. The decisions of the Board of Directors of the FRQNT are final and cannot be appealed.

Following the decisions of the Board of Directors, the Fonds informs each applicant of the outcome of the evaluation of their application and the funding decision that has been made. The results are announced through an official communiqué on the Fonds website and the announcement letter is placed in each applicant’s portfolio. This information is usually available by the end of April following the close of the competition.

Successful applicants must accept or refuse the scholarship within 30 calendar days after the scholarship offer was sent, in the “Manage my funding” section of their E-portfolio. An applicant who fails to accept the scholarship before the deadline is considered to have refused the scholarship (CGR, Section 5.2).

6.2 Value and duration of the scholarship

The annual value of the scholarship is $45,000. The FRQNT Board of Directors may modify the value of scholarships at any time, without notice, notably in accordance with the funds allocated annually by the Québec National Assembly, its strategic priorities and its budget process.

A supplement of $10,000 is granted to scholarship holders whose research is conducted abroad. The FRQNT considers that the research is conducted abroad if it is performed in an institution outside Québec located more than 250 km outside of Québec’s borders, or in an institution OUTSIDE CANADA.

The minimum duration of postdoctoral research is six months, and the maximum is 2 years with the possibility of a 3^rd year following the evaluation of a renewal application. Information about renewal applications is provided at the end of these rules.

The scholarship holder may receive up to six payments during the eligibility period (24 months). Each payment covers a four-month period (one semester).

Scholarship holders whose postdoctoral research is conducted abroad and who have obtained formal assurance of a future position in a research center or a university in Québec upon completion of postdoctoral training may receive an increase of up to 50% of the scholarship to cover the cost of living. To obtain this supplement, scholarship holders must, at the time of application, include in their supporting documents a letter from the director of the research center or the head of the department confirming that they have been hired.

7. Terms of the scholarship

To retain the scholarship, the scholarship holder must satisfy the following basic conditions throughout the duration of funding:

• Respect the conditions relating to citizenship and residence. Scholarship holders who are using their scholarship outside Québec must provide a copy of their RAMQ card in May of every year.
• Have made an initial thesis submission before starting the scholarship and meet all requirements for the doctoral degree by the time of the second instalment.
• Be present at the host environment on a full-time basis to carry out postdoctoral research.
• Respect the rules relating to concurrent funding.
• Respect the rules relating to paid employment.

Scholarship holders are required to inform the Fonds immediately if they cease to satisfy any of these conditions. Should any of these conditions no longer be met, the Fonds will be obliged to withdraw the scholarship and could request reimbursement.

7.1   Scholarship period

The scholarship period must begin between May 1, 2022 and March 1, 2023.

The scholarship cannot be carried over from one year to the next.

The scholarship is not retroactive, and months of research completed prior to May 2022 cannot be funded. For applicants who have already begun their program of study, the period of use begins on May 1, 2022.

7.2   Scholarship payments

Scholarship instalments must be requested for each 4-month period, in the “Manage my funding” section of the E-portfolio. The first payment will only be made once the Fonds has received a certified copy of the scholarship holder’s doctoral diploma, certified by the Registrar’s office, or an official attestation of the initial doctoral thesis submission. A copy of the doctoral diploma or proof that all requirements have been met for the doctoral degree is required for payment of the second instalment.

Triannual instalment payments are made for the duration of the scholarship period, subject to the production of a satisfactory progress report along with the request for the fourth instalment. You must submit a final report to the Fonds at the end of your scholarship.

An unclaimed payment may be cancelled at the end of the period it covers, without advance notice.

7.3   Presence at the host environment

To retain the scholarship, the scholarship holder must be present at the host environment for the duration of the scholarship and devote himself/herself full-time to his or her research activities. Failure to comply with this rule could result in the cancellation of the scholarship. If, under exceptional circumstances, these conditions cannot be respected, the Fonds must be advised as soon as possible and will determine whether the scholarship should be maintained or cancelled.

In all the following cases, the Fonds reserves the right to refuse any request with insufficient justification.

Major family obligation

A scholarship holder who is unable to pursue full-time studies for reasons arising from major family obligations has the possibility of enrolling part time and receiving partial scholarship payments (50%) if the university allows part-time enrolment and upon presentation of a medical certificate or other official document justifying the situation.

Person with a disability

A person with a disability who is unable to pursue full-time studies has the possibility of enrolling part time and receiving full scholarship payments provided the university authorizes the part-time enrolment and upon presentation of a medical certificate or other official document justifying the situation. This exception is in accordance with the Act to secure handicapped persons in the exercise of their rights with a view to achieving social, school and workplace integration (CQLR c. E-20.1).

7.4   Convertibility of the scholarship

Scholarship holders who obtain a position as a regular professor in a Québec university may, after completing one full year of postdoctoral research since the scholarship starting date, request permission to use part of the scholarship as a start-up grant. A maximum amount of $15,000 may be converted into a start-up grant for the new position. Eligible and applicable expenses for this grant are presented in Section 8 of the CGR.

The effective date of the start-up grant is the scholarship holder’s employment start date. A copy of your letter of appointment indicating the employment start date must be sent to the Fonds (no information regarding salary is required).

7.5   Reimbursement of travel expenses

The cost of travel outside of Québec for the scholarship holder and his/her spouse and children to the primary location of the postdoctoral research and their return to Québec will be reimbursed by the Fonds, provided that these expenses are not reimbursed by any other organization or agency. In the case of scholarship holders who defend their thesis during their postdoctoral internship, additional travel expenses will be reimbursed for the scholarship holder only.

7.5.1 Eligible expenses

• Travel tickets (airline, boat, train, bus) purchased before the scholarship was granted:

The Fonds will reimburse travel tickets upon presentation of supporting documents (travel agency invoice and photocopy of the ticket). The maximum allowance for a plane trip is the equivalent of the price of a one-way economy-class ticket.

• Travel tickets (airline, boat, train, bus) purchased by the Fonds:

If you did not purchase your travel tickets prior to the awarding of the scholarship, the Fonds is responsible for purchasing all your tickets. You must send an E-mail to the program manager indicating your departure date, departure city, arrival city and, where applicable, the name(s) of your spouse of any children requiring tickets. You must also provide each person’s date of birth. Tickets purchased directly by the scholarship holder after the awarding of the scholarship will not be reimbursed by the Fonds.

• Transportation by car:

The Fonds will reimburse $0.43/km up to the value of a one-way economy-class airline ticket and upon the presentation of receipts from two gas stations – one in the departure city and the other at your destination. All claims for car travel expenses must be received by the Fonds within the two months following the trip.

7.5.2 Non-eligible expenses

• Tickets purchased directly by the scholarship holder after the scholarship was awarded;
• Moving expenses for personal effects;
• Transport fees for research material;
• Additional baggage allowances paid to airline companies;
• Car rental expenses;
• Parking fees;
• Public transit/commuter train tickets;
• Taxi fare.

7.6   Concurrent funding

The following table summarizes the rules for concurrent funding and partial concurrent funding.

8. Scholarships in partnership

The FRQNT offers scholarships in collaboration with partners.

Eligible applicants are selected through a three-step process:

• Applicant must select, in the Partnership section of the application form, one or more partners whose research areas correspond to the theme of their application.
• The FRQNT sends the partners a list of interested applicants and the information needed to assess the relevance of the applications based on their research priorities and strategy.
• After evaluation of the applications by a committee of experts or peers, those that obtain a scientific excellence score of 70% and are deemed relevant by the partners concerned will be considered for partnership funding.

As with all other awards offered by the FRQNT, scholarships awarded in partnership are based on merit following scientific evaluation by a peer committee.

Note that by choosing to be considered for a scholarship in partnership and on obtaining this type of funding, you agree that the partner can contact you for activities related to your research project.

Partner:

9. Effective date

These rules apply to the 2022-2023 financial year.

10. Contact person

Michel Garceau
Program manager
Scholarship programs
Fonds de recherche du Québec – Nature et technologies
Phone: 1 418 643-8560, ext. 3459
Email: bourses.nt@frq.gouv.qc.ca

Applicants who contact the FRQNT via email must provide a telephone number at which they can be reached. Priority is given to email enquiries.

Please note that the FRQNT does not accept collect calls.