Scholarships – 2nd and 3rd cycle 2022-2023 - Fonds de recherche du Québec

IMPORTANT

Please consult the document “Information Guide Training award programs : New evaluation criteria” in the toolbox, which aims to provide you with the tools you need to prepare your application and to facilitate the understanding and interpretation of the newly added criteria for this competition.

COVID impact directives

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

Program rules: Master’s (B1X), Doctoral (B2X) and Re-entering the Research Community (A2X)

This program refers to the Common General Rules (CGR) of the Fonds de recherche du Québec (FRQ), which apply to all FRQ programming. Only rules specific to this scholarship program are indicated in this document, and these prevail over the CGR.

The link to the FRQnet Portfolio and the forms associated with this competition are available under the Portal Access tab of the website. More information is available in the About FRQnet section. It is the applicant’s sole responsibility to choose the correct application form. Should an error occur, the Fonds will not transfer the application from one program to another and the application will be deemed ineligible.

Refer to the Application presentation standards – FRQNT document available in the Portal access tab of the website.

AN APPLICATION SUBMITTED TO THE FONDS AFTER THE COMPETITION DEADLINE OF 4 P.M. ON OCTOBER 7, 2021 WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED BY THE FONDS.

Objectives
Eligibility requirements
Contents of the funding application and required documents
Submitting the funding application
Evaluation of applications
Awarding of scholarships and announcement of results
Terms of the scholarship
Scholarships in partnership
Effective date
Contact person

1. Objectives

The Fonds de recherche du Québec – Nature et technologies (FRQNT) scholarship programs have the following objectives:

Help support a new generation of scientists working in various research environments in natural science, mathematics or engineering fields,
To foster student interest in research;
To support excellence in research by providing financial assistance for top applicants to undertake or continue a master’s or doctoral research program.

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.

Master’s (B1X) and Doctoral (B2X) Research Scholarships:

Are intended for applicants who wish to undertake or continue a graduate university program in a field covered by the FRQNT.

Scholarships for Re-entering the Research Community (A2X):

Are intended for applicants who have had an undergraduate or master’s degree for at least five years and who wish to re-enter the research community through master’s- or doctoral-level studies or the equivalent 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

The conditions for determining the scholarship eligibility period take into account semesters (master’s and doctoral level) completed before May 1st, 2022, whether funded or not.

The FRQNT considers part-time or unregistered semesters in calculating the eligibility period, provided the registrar’s attestations are included with the application.

The FRQNT also takes into account the number of semesters during which the applicant received financial assistance from all recognized funding agencies (e.g. SSHRC, NSERC, CIHR, Fonds de recherche du Québec, etc.) to ensure that total funding does not exceed 18 semesters.

Master’s Scholarship eligibility period

To be eligible for a Master’s Scholarship, an applicant must not have been enrolled at the master’s level for more than 3 full-time semesters (1 year) before May 1, 2022.

An applicant is eligible for a Master’s Scholarship during the first six semesters of his/her master’s degree (or equivalent). The semesters completed in a master’s program (or equivalent) prior to the effective date of the scholarship will be deducted from the duration of the funding. In all cases, no funding will be granted after a student’s sixth semester in a master’s program.

Scholarship holders who go on to the doctoral level without having used all the instalments of their master’s scholarship can use them to begin their doctoral program. However, they must successfully apply to the Doctoral Scholarship competition in order to receive subsequent scholarship payments.

Eligibility period for students who proceed directly from a bachelor’s to a doctoral program and for students who fast-track from a master’s into a doctoral program

An applicant admitted into a doctoral program from a bachelor’s program or who fast-tracks into a doctoral program without writing a thesis is eligible for a Master’s Scholarship (B1X) during the first six semesters of his/her graduate studies program. As a result, these first six semesters can only be funded by a Master’s Scholarship. In this case, the value of the Master’s Scholarship will be increased to be of the same value as the Doctoral Scholarship. The scholarship holder must apply to the Doctoral Scholarship competition (B2X) to fund subsequent semesters. In all cases, no funding will be granted after the fifteenth (15th) semester of doctoral studies.

An applicant who holds a master’s degree when beginning his/her doctoral studies must apply to the Doctoral Scholarship competition.

Doctoral Scholarship eligibility period

An applicant is eligible for a Doctoral Scholarship for twelve (12) consecutive semesters of doctoral studies (or the equivalent) during the first fifteen (15) semesters of the doctoral program. However, the eleventh (11^th) and twelfth (12^th) semesters of funding are contingent on the submission of the doctoral thesis before the end of the twelfth semester of funding. In all cases, no funding will be granted after the fifteenth (15^th) semester of doctoral studies.

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 is unchanged at two years at the master’s level and three years at the doctoral level. 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 Master’s or Doctoral Scholarship, applicants must have been enrolled at a Québec university on a full-time basis (or equivalent) for at least 2 of the 3 semesters 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 Master’s or Doctoral Scholarship, the place where the research or studies will be carried out must be in Québec. However, the place where the research or studies 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 pursue their research or studies in Québec. Their continuous physical presence in Québec is required for the duration of the scholarship, apart from break periods listed in the university calendar. Those under co-supervision (cotutelle) are also subject to this rule. In their case, co-supervision (cotutelle) with a study period outside Québec is not permitted.

If the scholarship holder’s citizenship, RAMQ eligibility or residence conditions change during the scholarship period, the scholarship cannot be used outside Québec.

2.4 Restrictions

Applicants cannot apply for a scholarship to carry out preparatory studies.

An applicant with a Ph.D. is not eligible for a master’s scholarship.

Applicants who have already received financial assistance from a recognized funding agency, (e.g. SSHRC, NSERC, CIHR, Fonds de recherche du Québec, etc.) over a period totaling 18 semesters (master’s and doctoral level combined) cannot apply for the current competition to start or continue a master’s or doctoral program.

Applicants may hold an award or scholarship from only one Fonds.

2.5 Minimum cumulative average

Applicants for a Master’s Scholarship must have an average equal to or greater than 3.55 or the equivalent for their undergraduate degree. Applicants with a lower average are not eligible.

In the case of applicants who are changing careers, grades from courses unrelated to the program of study for which the scholarship is being sought are not considered. However, grades for courses used as the basis for admission to a master’s or doctoral program are deemed relevant in calculating the average and must be included with the application.

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.

2.8 Additional eligibility requirements for Re-entering the Research Community Scholarship (A2X) applicants

At the competition deadline, applicants for a Re-entering the Research Community Scholarship (A2) must have had an undergraduate or master’s degree for at least five years and not have been subsequently enrolled in a university program. However, applicants may be enrolled for their first semester on the date they apply.

Rules governing the duration of funding for master’s- or doctoral-level studies under the Scholarships for re-entering the Research Community program are the same as those for the general programs (B1X-B2X).

3. Contents of the funding application and required documents

Applicants may not submit simultaneous applications for a Masters Scholarship (B1X) and a Re-entering the Research Community Scholarship (A2X1).

Applicants may not submit simultaneous applications for a Doctoral Scholarship (B2X) and a Re-entering the Research Community Scholarship (A2X2).

Applicants may submit simultaneous applications for a Master’s Scholarship and a Doctoral Scholarship if, during the allotted period for beginning to use the scholarship (see Terms of the Scholarship), the Master’s Scholarship eligibility period ends and the Doctoral Scholarship eligibility period begins

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 form 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 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 university 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:

be issued by the institution in question; and
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 attach, if applicable, in the file with the transcripts:

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.

RAMQ card:

An applicant who was not enrolled in a Québec university for at least two of the three semesters 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;
An applicant who does not have a RAMQ card and who was enrolled full-time in a Québec university for at least two of the three semesters prior to the competition deadline must provide a letter from the registrar’s office identifying the full-time semesters completed if they are not listed on the transcript.

Acknowledgement of receipt from publishers:

Acknowledgements of receipt from the editor for all articles submitted and notices received from editors for articles accepted for publication (acknowledgements of receipt for articles already published are not sent to the evaluation committee).

Additional document for applicants who studied part-time for at least one semester since first enrolling for graduate studies:

A letter from the registrar’s office identifying any part-time or unregistered semesters.

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.

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:

Criteria – Master’s

Academic recors

Transcripts;
Honours (awards, distinctions and scholarships);
Applicant’s ability to present his or her background in an integrated manner (relationship between experiences and interests and career and education choices, trajectory, etc.).

Weighting

30 points

Criteria – Master’s

Research interest and potential

Relevant experience (participation in research projects, training internships, assistantships, etc.);
Scientific achievements (conferences, presentations, publications, etc.);
Proposed research (originality, clarity and coherence of the research problem, relevance of the methodology, feasibility and, if applicable quality of supervision).

Weighting

50 points

Criteria – Master’s

Social mobilization

Ability to facilitate dialogue between science and society (outreach activities or participation in events intended for the general public, etc.);
Capacity for engagement (volunteering, community projects, civic and non-profit involvement, event organization, etc.);
Consideration of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including equity, diversity and inclusion*.

* SDG and equity, diversity and inclusion considerations can be integrated in the proposed research or through science-society dialogue or engagement activities.

Weighting

15 points

Criteria – Master’s

General presentation of the application

Weighting

5 points

Criteria – Master’s

TOTAL

Weighting

100 points

Criteria - Doctorate

Academic record

Transcripts and honours (awards, distinctions and scholarships);
Relevant experience (teaching, supervision, assistantships, etc.) and scientific achievements (conferences, presentations, publications, etc.);
Applicant’s ability to present his or her background in an integrated manner (relationship between experiences and interests and career and education choices, trajectory, etc.).

Weighting

30 points

Criteria - Doctorate

Research project

Originality of the project and contribution to the advancement of knowledge;
Clarity and coherence of the research problem;
Relevance of the methodology;
Feasibility (realism of the time frame, quality of supervision including the environment available to the applicant for his or her development and the realization of the project, etc.)

Weighting

45 points

Criteria - Doctorate

Social mobilization

Ability to facilitate dialogue between science and society (outreach activities or participation in events intended for the general public, etc.);
Capacity for engagement (volunteering, community projects, civic and non-profit involvement, event organization, etc.);
Consideration of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including equity, diversity and inclusion*.

* SDG and equity, diversity and inclusion considerations can be integrated in the proposed research or through science-society dialogue or engagement activities.

Weighting

20 points

Criteria - Doctorate

General presentation of the application

Weighting

5 points

Criteria - Doctorate

TOTAL

Weighting

100 points

5.2 Evaluation procedure

Role of evaluation committees

Eligible applications are submitted to evaluation committees composed of three or four university faculty members. A committee may also include representatives from the private sector or government.

The evaluation committees compare the submitted applications according to the evaluation criteria in effect. Their job is to rank all the applications on merit. Contacting members of the committees, who are subject to rules of confidentiality, is strictly prohibited.

Role of the Board of Directors

The Board of Directors of the FRQNT receives the recommendations of the evaluation committees and makes funding decisions. The Board is accountable for its decisions to the Government of Québec.

Role of the program manager

The FRQNT program manager is responsible for ensuring that committees comply with the program rules and rules of ethics in effect at the FRQ.

6. Awarding of scholarships and announcement of results

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 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.

Master’s scholarship

The maximum value of a Master’s Scholarship is $17,500 per year. The scholarship holder may receive a maximum of six instalments totalling $35,000 within the eligibility period (six semesters or 24 months). Each instalment of up to $5,833 covers a period of four months, or one semester.

Doctoral scholarship

The maximum value of a Doctoral scholarship is $21,000 per year. The scholarship holder may receive a maximum of 12 instalments totalling $84,000 within the eligibility period (12 semesters or 48 months). Each instalment of up to $7,000 covers a period of four months, or one semester. The 11th and 12th instalments are contingent on submission of the doctoral thesis before the end of the 12th funded semester. These 11th and 12th instalments will only be paid after the initial thesis submission.

Supplement for studies outside Québec

The supplement for studies outside Québec aims to help top students to undertake or pursue graduate studies outside Québec.

These supplements are exclusively intended for Master’s Scholarship (B1X) and Doctoral Scholarship (B2X) applicants.

These supplements are reserved for scholarship holders who choose to study outside Québec, as indicated in their scholarship application. The supplements are awarded to the ten top-ranking applicants across all evaluation committees. All applications indicating a place of study outside Québec are automatically considered.

At the time the supplement is received, the applicant must be enrolled full time in a university institution located outside Quebec.

The maximum annual value of the supplement is $1,500. The supplement is added to the Master’s or Doctoral Scholarship amount.

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.
Be enrolled full time in a program of study.
Respect the rules relating to concurrent funding.
Respect the rules relating to paid employment.

Scholarship holders who are enrolled in a program outside Québec must ask their university for official proof of enrolment at the beginning of each academic term and send it to the Fonds. In the case of Québec universities, proof of enrolment is sent directly to the FRQNT by the institution.

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 January 15, 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.

Scholarship start date

The scholarship start date refers to the semester during which the first payment can be requested.

Scholarship holders whose program has not yet started:

May 2022 (summer semester)

September 2022 (fall semester)

January 2023 (winter semester)

Scholarship holders whose program is already underway:

May 2022 (summer semester)

7.2 Scholarship payments and progress reports

Payment must be requested at the beginning of each academic term via the E-portfolio.

A progress report is required after each full year of funding indicating the progress of your research. This report is required at the time of the 4^th and 7^th instalment requests, where applicable, and must be submitted via the E-portfolio. Entitlement to the scholarship will be maintained if your progress is judged satisfactory by the Fonds. 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 go on to a doctoral program without having used all the instalments of their Master’s scholarship can use them to begin their doctoral program. In this case, the value of the Master’s scholarship will be increased to be of the same value as the Doctoral scholarship. However, you must successfully apply for the Doctoral competition to obtain subsequent payments.

You will need to complete and submit a “Manage my finding form”.

You must also submit a copy of the offer of admission to the doctoral program.