Programme de la recherche collégiale 20-21 - anglais

1. Objectives

The Research Program for College has the following objectives:

• Promote and maintain a quality diverse, equitable and inclusive research base in the natural sciences, mathematics and engineering in colleges and college centres for technology transfer (CCTTs);
• Foster the emergence, establishment and retention of researchers in the college network;
• Foster the transfer of technological and scientific know-how;
• Prompt college students to do research in natural sciences, mathematics and engineering.

2. Eligibility requirements

Applicants are responsible for verifying, well in advance, the eligibility of their application with their research office (research advisor or director of studies) to ensure that all required documents are obtained from the managing institution in time.

2.1 The following are eligible for this program:

College researchers, as defined in the CGR (status 3), who meet the following conditions:

2.1.1 Have a master’s or PhD and possess the professional autonomy required to direct research projects and supervise college students;

The managing institution must be able to confirm, at each grant payment and for the entire duration of funding, that the applicant meets the following conditions:

2.1.2 The applicant is employed full-time for at least two consecutive terms per year. Winter and fall sessions are considered to be consecutive.

2.1.3 The applicant holds:

a. A position as a college-level professor;

b. A position as a CCTT researcher;

c. A position in a college in which at least 75% of their workload is dedicated to research activities. The workload is calculated based on the official school calendar established for Cégeps by the Ministère de l’Éducation et de l’Enseignement supérieur (MEES) i.e. from July 1 to June 30 of each year.

2.2 The following are not eligible for this program:

2.2.1 Applicants who do not meet the eligibility requirements listed above;

2.2.2 Applicants whose work is in a field that is not covered by the FRQNT and is not consistent with the Fonds de recherche du Québec – Nature et technologies (FRQNT) mission;

2.2.3 Applicants who submit more than one application to the same competition;

2.2.4 Applicants who hold two concurrent grants under this program on the date of announcement of the results for this competition (See Section 6.12 of the CGR).

3. Contents of the funding application and required documents

All attached documents and section of the electronic application form, including the Detailed Contributions attachment, must meet the standards presented in the Presentation standards for application – FRQNT  document available in the program’s Toolbox. Failure to comply with these standards will result in the application being deemed INELIGIBLE.

3.1     Required documents

The funding application must be submitted to the Fonds electronically. It must be completed using the official forms available in the FRQnet Portfolio.

Any excess pages or non-required documents (e.g. supporting letter) will be removed from the application.

Various documents are to be attached to the form in the sections intended for that purpose. The application includes 5 items:

3.1.1    The funding application form (FRQnet Portfolio)

This form has several sections to complete and requires the uploading of documents. The sections may be completed in English or French. However, if you complete your application in English, you must provide a title and a project summary in both French and English.

Details for certain sections of the form

Identification of the applicant

The applicant must identify the managing institution where he or she is employed.

All college research centres and CCTTs are affiliated with a college-level managing institution recognized by the Fonds de recherche du Québec (FRQ) to manage funding. (See Definitions in the CGR).

4. Application process

Submitting the funding application in the FRQnet Portfolio

Applicants must submit all required documents in their FRQnet Portfolio before the internal deadline of the managing institution. To find out the internal deadline, applicants should contact the person in charge of research at their institution (research officer, research advisor, etc.).

• The status “Submitted to institution” will appear in the Portfolio. 

Approval of the funding application by the managing institution

The managing institution must approve the funding application via the FRQnet Institutions Portal before it is transmitted to the FRQNT.

At this stage, the managing institution may return the application to the applicant for modification.

• The status “Returned to applicant” will then appear in the Portfolio.

The applicant must then resubmit the application in his/her FRQnet Portfolio for approval by the managing institution.

It is important to take this process into account in order to ensure that the documents are submitted within the required time frame. Applicants will not be notified of any element missing from their application. Any documents received after submission of the application will not be considered and applications cannot be updated.

A checklist is available in the program’s Toolbox.  

Transmitting the funding application to the FRQNT via FRQnet

The application must be transmitted by the managing institution before the competition deadline of 4 p.m. on October 14, 2020.

• The status “Transmis au Fonds” will appear in the applicant’s FRQnet Portfolio.

Reminder of requirements before transmitting the application to the FRQNT:

The applicant must:

• Check that all requested documents have been placed in the applicant’s FRQnet Portfolio and that the application is complete.
• Ensure that none of the suggested experts on the list provided are in a conflict of interest and make any necessary changes. This is not a list of professional references or persons who have had a professional or personal relationship with the applicant within the last 5 years (see Section 4.2 of the CGR for more examples).
• Ensure that there is a title and project summary in both French and English if the application is completed in English.
• Check that all documents meet the required presentation standards. If not, the application will be deemed ineligible by the FRQNT.

The head of the managing institution must then:

• Ensure that the electronic form contains all required information and that all required documents have been included in the various sections of the form;
• In the case of CCTT researchers, pay particular attention to the letter from the managing institution.
• Check whether any documents require translation;
• Ensure that the CCV and Detailed Contributions document have been uploaded to the Portfolio;
• Check for any conflicts of interest between the applicant and the list of suggested experts and make the necessary changes (see Section 4.2 of the CGR for examples).
• Ensure that there is a title and project summary in both French and English if the application is completed in English.
• Approve the funding application and transmit it to the FRQNT via FRQnet before the competition deadline.

The electronic transmission of the application acts as an electronic signature by the applicant. The FRQNT reserves the right to verify the authenticity of all documents and information provided with the authorities concerned.

5. Determining eligibility of funding applications

The program administrator and members of the multidisciplinary evaluation committees assess during the whole process the eligibility status of each application in accordance with the conditions set out in the program rules and the CGR.

Notification of the decision with respect to the eligibility of the application is sent via the FRQnet Portfolio of the applicant and the managing institution.

6. Application evaluation

6.1  Evaluation criteria

Applications are evaluated based on the following criteria, according to the weighting indicated. It is the applicant’s responsibility to clearly address these criteria in their written proposal.

The criteria listed below form a repertory of values and objectives of the Program for College Research, and were developed to suit a diversity of research projects and applicant profiles.

Thus, evaluators do not necessarily expect all applicants to meet all of the sub-indicators presented below, but to meet most of them in a consistent manner.

Criterion 1: Quality of the research project (65 pts)

C1.1  Excellence in research (15 pts)

1.1.1  Originality
Creativity, innovation, potential for disruption and advancement in the field, theoretical approach if applicable (relevance of the theme and issues addressed, new approach, risk-taking, etc.);

1.1.2  Scientific scope

Scope of the objectives for the scientific and user communities and contributions within the field of research;

1.1.3   Collaborations and partnerships

Cooperation in Québec and/or internationally (relevance, added value for the project, the institution or Québec);

C1.2  Project presentation (30 pts)

1.2.1   Methodology

Relevance in relation to the objectives; scientific and technical feasibility. Availability of infrastructure and equipment. Where appropriate, the reuse of scientific material and the purchase of second-hand material are encouraged. Ethical and environmental considerations;

1.2.2  Realism of the time frame and budget

Appropriateness of budget and time frame: budget justification (details, quantification, financial structuring, etc.), relevance of the project duration to the research question and budget, risk management plan;

1.2.3  Quality of presentation

Project structure and understanding: description of objectives and keywords, clarity, popularization, quality of writing and language, etc.;

C1.3  Project benefits (20 pts)

1.3.1   Strengthening research capacity
Training and mentoring plan: feasibility of the project for the training of highly qualified personnel (HQP), recruitment, tasks, pedagogical scope.

1.3.2  Knowledge transfer
Valorization, promotion and dissemination of results internally and in technical and general training programs as well as to user communities and the general public. Consideration for access to data (open access, etc.);

Criterion 2: Applicant’s competency in science (30 pts)

C2.1  Scientific capacity (15 pts)

2.1.1  Scientific expertise
Relevance of CV to the project: the applicant must possess the expertise and knowledge necessary to successfully carry out the proposed project;

2.1.2  Experience and potential

Applicant’s research experience: quantity and quality of scientific contributions and achievements, mentoring and potential demonstrated by the applicant throughout his/her career and activities related to research and science: originality of academic background, risk-taking, engagement, collaborative network, leadership, etc.;

C2.2  Knowledge dissemination (15 pts)

2.2.1  Scientific community

Knowledge transfer activities; organization and presentation at seminars, symposia, workshops; report, guide, etc.;

2.2.2   General public and user communities

Discussions and dissemination activities for a wide audience: general public, schools, colleges, municipal services, media, volunteering, production of non-technical content, etc.

Criterion 3: Integration of the principles of equity, diversity and inclusion in research (5 pts)

Efforts put in place to promote equity, diversity and inclusion. It is up to each applicant to choose how to address this criterion through concrete actions, taking into account his or her unique situation. Efforts may involve composition, organization and management, knowledge sharing and dissemination to user communities, etc.

For more information on this criterion, please consult the document entitled Guidelines on considering equity, diversity and inclusion in the evaluation of FRQNT grant applications. This document is also available in the Toolbox Section.

6.2     Evaluation process

The program administrator and scientific advisors classify the funding applications according to their research fields. Keywords are essential to this classification.

Applications are evaluated by multidisciplinary evaluation committees and external experts. All evaluators are selected among peers from the college, industrial, socio-economic and university sectors.

Role of the multidisciplinary evaluation committees and external experts

The multidisciplinary evaluation committees and, where applicable, external experts evaluate applications according to the rules and evaluation criteria in effect for the program, taking into account the quality standards and existing research traditions in the different disciplines concerned.

The committees rank the applications and advise the board of directors of the proposals that merit funding. Budget projections are considered in the evaluation process.

Role of the program administrator

The program administrator is responsible for ensuring that committee members and external referees comply with the current rules of the program, as well as the rules relating to ethics, confidentiality, the responsible conduct of research, and equity, diversity and inclusion.

7. Description and nature of funding

The applicant should refer to the CGR and Section 8 of the program rules for the rules governing the use and management of the grant.

The maximum grant amount is set at $32,000 per year for up to two or three years. The funding consists of a grant that can be split between salary support or teaching release and an operating grant. A teaching release for the grant holder can be added to the annual operating grant.

Salary support for the grant holder

Part of the operating grant can be used to provide salary support for the grant holder if he or she has no teaching duties. This amount is paid directly to the college-level managing institution or the college with which the CCTT is affiliated in the case of a CCTT researcher.

Teaching release for the grant holder

Part of the operating grant can be used as a teaching release for the grant holder if he or she has teaching duties, up to a maximum of $24,000 per year, to cover the portion of the salary related to a release from teaching duties. This amount is paid directly to the college-level managing institution.

7.1  Operating grant

The operating grant can only be used to fund current expenses that are directly related to the completion of the research project.

The operating grant may be supplemented by other grants or monetary or in-kind contributions from colleges, CCTTs, universities, government departments or other granting agencies, in keeping with the regulations of these programs.

8. Duration and management of the grant

8.1  Use of the grant

Grants are awarded annually for the period from April 1 to March 31. The managing institution receives 4 equal payments per year.

Grants are awarded for a maximum of two or three years. The balance remaining at the end of each budget year may be carried over to the next year, for the duration of the grant.

The unspent balance remaining at the end of the grant period may be carried forward for an additional period of one year. To do so, the grant holder and managing institution must justify their extension request to the program administrator and comply with the terms set out in Section 6.10 of the CGR.

8.2  Management and follow-up

8.2.1  Accepting the grant

To initiate payment of the first instalment, the applicant must accept the grant within 30 days after receiving the competition results (end of April), in the “Manage my funding” section of the FRQnet Portfolio.

8.2.2  Biannual update statement

The grant is conditional on the maintenance of the eligibility requirements (Section 2) including continuing full-time employment of the grant holder with the college, college research centre or CCTT throughout the term of the grant.

To initiate payment of the 2nd and 3rd grant years, the grant holder must, after receiving a notice to do so (in March), submit an online update statement in the FRQnet Portfolio. The statement must be completed whether or not there are any changes to declare. Further grant payments are conditional on this step.

8.2.3   Annual financial report

The managing institution must submit, no later than June of each year of funding, an annual financial report via the FRQnet Portfolio. This report must be signed by the grant holder.

Grant payments are conditional on the submission of an annual financial report by the managing institution.

8.2.4  Changes during funding period

Any major changes made during the funding period, including a redistribution of expenses by category or a loss of expertise related to staff turnover, must be justified by email to the program administrator and reported in the FRQnet Portfolio (See Section 6.5 of the CGR).

8.2.5  Departure of the grant holder

Funding is awarded to the grant holder and cannot be transferred to another researcher belonging to the same or another college-level institution recognized by the Fonds to manage funding.

Departure from a college-level managing institution to another college

A grant holder who leaves one college institution to work at another college institution may transfer the grant to that institution. The eligibility requirements of the Program for College Research must be met. The new managing institution will be asked to provide a letter confirming compliance with the eligibility requirements.

It is the responsibility of the original managing institution to reach an agreement with the FRQNT and the managing institution that will be receiving the grant holder.

Departure from a college-level managing institution to another type of institution

A grant holder who leaves his or her managing institution must comply with the terms and conditions set out in Section 6.7 of the CGR.

It is the responsibility of the managing institution to take into consideration the fact that the grant holder receives 4 equal payments per fiscal year. The Fonds may reduce, suspend or terminate the funding.

8.2.6  End of the grant

9. Announcement of results

The multidisciplinary evaluation committees submit their recommendations to the Board of directors of the FRQNT, which makes the funding decisions. All decisions of the Board of Directors of the FRQNT are final and cannot be appealed.

Grant results are announced at the end of April. The decisions of the Board of Directors of the FRQNT are sent to the institutions and applicants concerned. For any information on competition results, applicants must contact their institution’s research office or equivalent or visit the Fonds website.

Grants are contingent on the allocation of funding from the Assemblée nationale du Québec and the decisions of the board of directors of the Fonds and may be modified at any time without notice. It is therefore strongly recommended not to commit expenditures before the funding has been officially announced.

10. Ethics and the responsible conduct of research

Any individual or institution that receives funding must demonstrate the highest standards of research ethics and scientific integrity. Please refer to the Common General Rules for further details.

This includes a declaration by the applicant and the managing institution that there are no real or apparent conflicts of interest that could influence the application assessment process. This applies to all individuals identified in the application (for example, suggested experts), the form or the documents required when submitting the funding application.

Please refer to the CGR for any matter related to responsible conduct in research, privacy and confidentiality, intellectual property and the protection of academic freedom.

11. Integrity of the Evaluation Process

At no time may applicants or their institutional authorities make contact with evaluation committee members, unless such contact is specified as part of the evaluation process. Similarly, evaluation committee members must not make contact with applicants, unless such contact is specifically indicated in the evaluation process. The identities of evaluation committee members are kept confidential to avoid any attempt at collusion. The Fonds reserve the right to withdraw an application from competition if there is any inappropriate intervention, lobby, undue influence or collusion during the evaluation process, as stipulated in the Policy for the Responsible Conduct of Research.

12. Equity, diversity and inclusion

The Fonds de recherche du Québec wish to contribute to supporting a research ecosystem based on equity, diversity and inclusion. Measures have been put in place to strengthen the integration of these principles. Funding recipients are also encouraged to consider them in the context of their research groups and activities.

To mitigate the influence of unconscious bias in the scientific assessment process, individuals taking part in the Fonds de recherche du Québec’s peer review process are now encouraged to take a short online training course.

In the interest of avoiding duplication for the scientific community, we have chosen to use the Unconscious bias training module developed by the federal funding agencies and available on the Canada Research Chairs website.

While this training course is not mandatory, we hope that a critical mass of reviewers will choose to take it to help enhance the fairness of the assessment process. Please note that all Fonds staff responsible for evaluation committees will be required to complete the online training module as well as additional training.

For more information, please consult our Statement on equity, diversity and inclusion.

13. Liability of the Fonds

The Fonds make all reasonable efforts to ensure optimal service. However, they cannot be held liable for any direct or indirect damage resulting from their handling of applications for funding. Furthermore, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Fonds are not liable for any direct or indirect damage resulting from the disclosure of personal or confidential information that was not authorized by the Fonds.

14. False or misleading information

The Fonds presume the good faith of the declaration provided in funding applications or in any other document submitted at any time during the funding cycle, from the initial funding application to the final report. Applicants and funding recipients must be transparent and provide accurate and precise information. They must be conscientious about advising the Fonds of any changes in their situation, where applicable.

Under the Act Respecting the Ministère de l’Enseignement supérieur, de la Recherche, de la Science et de la Technologie (CQLR, c. M-15.1.0.1), any individual who submits an application containing false or misleading information to obtain or procure financial support is committing an offence, is liable to a fine and could be barred from receiving financial support for a period of up to five years. Where a legal person commits such an offence, every director or representative of that legal person who was aware of the offence may be liable to a fine. Furthermore, such a declaration constitutes a breach of responsible research conduct, as set forth in the Fonds de recherche du Québec Policy for the Responsible Conduct of Research and may be subject to sanctions in accordance with this policy.

The Fonds reserve the right to take immediate measures to stop the use of public funds obtained through false or misleading information, and to take legal action to recover fraudulently obtained funds and claim compensation for damages caused where appropriate.

15. Open access to research results

The Fonds are committed to fostering the widest possible access to the outcomes of the research they fund. They would like this practice to be implanted in every research environment and intend to promote this principle through all means at their disposal, including the websites of the three Fonds.

16. Effective date

These rules apply to the 2021-2022 fiscal year.

17. Contact person for this program

18. Personne à contacter pour ce programme