Competition year :
2025-2026
Deadline (application) :
October 17th, 2024 at 16:00 (EST)
Announcement of results :
End of April 2025
Amount :
$60,000 to $95,000 per year - Optional funding and supplements: see Section 6
Duration :
4 years
At the competition deadline of 4 p.m. on October 17, 2024, the status of the application in the FRQnet system, the transactional interface used by the FRQ, must be “submitted to institution” or “submitted to the Fonds”. To be considered admissible, an application with the status of “submitted to institution” must nonetheless have the status “submitted to the Fonds” within the time limit set out in the Common General Rules (Section 3.2). Any application that does not meet these conditions will be considered inadmissible.
The link to the FRQnet electronic portfolio (ePortfolio) and the forms associated with this competition are available under “Portals access” on the website. Further details are available in the “Documents” menu of the FRQnet ePortfolio.
This program refers to the Common General Rules (CGR), which apply to all FRQ programs. It is the responsibility of applicants and/or funding holders to read the CGR, which set out all rules governing competitions and managing awards. A PDF version of these rules can be found in the Toolbox. Only the special conditions applicable to the FRQSC Research Team Support Program are indicated in this document, and these prevail over the CGR. However, in the event of any discrepancy with the CGR, the latter shall prevail. Personal contact information can be updated in the FRQnet ePortfolio.
This version was updated on July 9, 2024, subject to the approval of the Ministre de l’Économie, de l’Innovation et de l’Énergie.
Table of contents
1. OBJECTIVES
This program aims to:
- Foster the emergence of new research themes, approaches and topics
- Consolidate existing research infrastructures by enabling the deployment of scientific programs related to the various fields covered by the FRQSC.
SCIENTIFIC PROGRAM:
A scientific program is different from a research project and must be based on a research theme deployed through specific thrusts driven by research projects that are funded or will be funded through other sources. The scientific program must be designed to evolve over time and foster the significant and collective contribution of its co-investigators to the team’s work and activities.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Teams that present a research project rather than a scientific program will be deemed ineligible.
2. CONFIGURATIONS
Teams must choose one of the following configurations:
- New team – University (NT)
- New team – Partnership (NT-P)
- Renewal team – University (RT)
- Renewal team – Partnership (RT-P)
Partnership configuration – Note
Partnership configuration allows for the integration of practice settings into the scientific program, which is designed around partners’ needs and implements an activity plan to meet those needs. This collaboration must be put in place right from the conception of the scientific program and be maintained at all stages, both administrative and scientific, of its deployment.
A specific eliminatory evaluation criterion (Section 5 – Evaluation) is applied to Partnership teams. Partnership configuration provides access to additional funding (Section 6 – Funding) and does not require a financial commitment from the identified partner(s).
An organization dedicated exclusively to scientific research cannot be considered a partnership practice setting. If a designated partner’s activities include some research (such as university-affiliated centres and institutes), the submitted program must explicitly describe the partner’s specific contribution as a research and practice partner.
New Team – University (NT)
Maximum annual base grant: $60,000
Optional funding available: Interregional, Support for College Research (see Section 6 – Funding)
N.B. Teams applying as an NT must have never been funded under the Research Team Support program, or must have received their final payment in March 2022 or earlier (see the Identification of Development Stages table in the Toolbox).
FRQnet form: SE-12
Number of evaluation criteria: 3
Number of pages permitted for “Satisfaction of evaluation criteria” document: 10
Minimum number of investigators including principal investigator: 4 (Status 1 to 3 of the CGR)
Principal investigator – eligible research status: Status 1a) i)
Co-investigators – eligible statuses: Status 1, Status 2 or Status 3
Other co-investigators – eligible statuses: Status 4a, 4b, 4c and 4d
IMPORTANT NOTE: In the case of a New team derived in part from a team that received funding under this program after April 1, 2023, at least 50% of its co-investigators must be new to the team.
New Team – Partnership (NT-P)
Maximum annual base grant: $60,000
Optional funding available: Interregional, Partnership, Support for College Research (see Section 6 – Funding)
N.B. Teams applying as an NT-P must have never been funded under the Research Team Support program, or must have received their final payment in March 2022 or earlier (see the Identification of Development Stages table in the Toolbox).
FRQnet form: SE-13
Number of evaluation criteria: 4
Number of pages allowed for “Satisfaction of Evaluation Criteria” document: 12
Minimum number of investigators including principal investigator: 5 (Status 1 to 4* of the CGR)
Principal investigator – eligible research status: Status 1a) i)
Co-investigators – eligible statuses: Status 1, Status 2 or Status 3
Other co-investigators – eligible statuses: Status 4a, 4b, 4c and 4d
* In Partnership configuration, the team must include at least one co-investigator with Status 4 in addition to the minimum 4 investigators (including the principal investigator) required for University configuration. This person must be identified in the application form, in the “Co-investigators with other research statuses” section.
IMPORTANT NOTE: In the case of a New team derived in part from a team that received funding under this program after April 1, 2023, at least 50% of its co-investigators must be new to the team.
Renewal Team – University (RT)
Maximum annual base grant: $95,000
Optional funding available: Interregional, Supplement for Renewal team with 12 members or more, Support for College Research (see Section 6 – Funding)
N.B. Teams applying as an RT must have received their final payment of Support for Research Teams funding in March 2023 or March 2024, or have funding that ends in March 2025 (see the Identification of Development Stages table in the Toolbox).
FRQnet form: SE-3
Number of evaluation criteria: 4
Number of pages allowed for “Satisfaction of Evaluation Criteria” document: 12
Minimum number of investigators including principal investigator: 4 (Status 1 to 3 of the CGR)
Principal investigator – eligible research status: Status 1a) i)
Co-investigators – eligible statuses: Status 1, Status 2 or Status 3
Other co-investigators – eligible statuses: Status 4a, 4b, 4c and 4d
Renewal Team –Partnership (RT-P)
Maximum annual base grant: $95,000
Optional funding available: Interregional, Supplement for Renewal team with 12 members or more, Support for College Research (see Section 6 – Funding)
N.B. Teams applying as an RT-P must have received their final payment of Support for Research Teams funding in March 2023 or March 2024, or have funding that ends in March 2025 (see the Identification of Development Stages table in the Toolbox).
FRQnet form: SE-7
Number of evaluation criteria: 5
Number of pages allowed for “Satisfaction of Evaluation Criteria” document: 14
Minimum number of investigators including principal investigator: 5 (Status 1 to 4* of the CGR)
Principal investigator – eligible research status: Status 1a) i)
Co-investigators – eligible statuses: Status 1, Status 2 or Status 3
Other co-investigators – eligible statuses: Status 4a, 4b, 4c and 4d
* In Partnership configuration, the team must include at least one co-investigator with Status 4 in addition to the minimum 4 investigators (including the principal investigator) required for University configuration. This person must be identified in the application form, in the “Co-investigators with other research statuses” section.
3. COMPOSITION
3.1 Eligible roles and statuses
Researcher statuses and roles are presented in the CGR on pages 5 and following.
The principal investigator and all co-investigators must meet the general eligibility requirements set out in Section 2 of the CGR, as well as any other requirements described in this program, both at the time of application and for the entire duration of the grant, if it is awarded.
Retired researchers are not eligible for the role of principal investigator. However, should the principal investigator retire during the course of the grant, a transition period may be arranged in consultation with the Fonds, which must be kept informed of the situation.
College-level co-investigators may be employed on a part-time basis at the time of application to this competition, with the understanding that full-time employment status is required throughout the funding period, as stipulated in the CGR (Research status definitions – Status 3). A PhD is always required in order to receive Support for College Research funding.
In addition to these co-investigators, a team may include collaborators with any of the statuses applicable to grants as defined in the CGR.
Researchers outside Québec may not take on any role in the team other than that of collaborator.
Individuals with the training statuses defined in the CGR are not eligible for the role of collaborator.
3.2 Membership in two funded teams
A researcher may not be principal investigator of more than one applicant or funded team under the FRQSC Research Team Support Program. However, a principal investigator may be a co-investigator in another applicant or funded team under the program.
Co-investigators may belong to up to two applicant or funded teams under this program.
Any other participation in a team must be in the role of collaborator.
4. APPLICATION
Before completing the application form, the principal investigator must create an FRQnet ePortfolio user account on the Fonds website (see informational video).
4.1. Presentation standards
See Section 3.6 of the Common General Rules for information regarding the language of submitted forms and documents.
Please also refer to the “Presentation standards for PDF attachments to FRQnet forms”, available in the Toolbox, and Section 3.2 of the CGR.
4.2 Required documents for application
The application form must be completed and submitted via the principal investigator’s FRQnet ePortfolio. The following documents must be attached to this form:
New Team – University (NT)
- Satisfaction of evaluation criteria (max. 10 pages)
In the “Program description” section, the team must attach a file in which it explicitly addresses, in order, all the evaluation criteria that apply to its stage of development and configuration. To facilitate the work of the committee members, the information should be presented in separate sections, each titled with the name of the evaluation criterion in question.
- Bibliography (max. 10 pages)
This section lists the references cited in the program description, including those pertaining to the state of knowledge in the field.
New Team – Partnership (NT-P)
- Satisfaction of evaluation criteria (max. 12 pages)
In the “Program description” section, the team must attach a file in which it explicitly addresses, in order, all the evaluation criteria that apply to its stage of development and configuration. To facilitate the work of the committee members, the information should be presented in separate sections, each titled with the name of the evaluation criterion in question.
- Bibliography (max. 10 pages)
This section lists the references cited in the program description, including those pertaining to the state of knowledge in the field.
- Proof(s) of partnership (to be attached in the Other documents section of the form)
Proofs of partnership can take different forms, from a letter of support from a partner to a formal partnership agreement between the team and its partners, but must in all cases explicitly detail the nature of the partnership and the role each party will play if the grant is awarded.
Partnership teams must submit at least one proof of partnership document. Partnership team applications with no proofs of partnership will be deemed ineligible.
Renewal Team – University (RT)
- Satisfaction of evaluation criteria (max. 12 pages)
In the “Program description” section, the team must attach a file in which it explicitly addresses, in order, all the evaluation criteria that apply to its stage of development and configuration. To facilitate the work of the committee members, the information should be presented in separate sections, each titled with the name of the evaluation criterion in question.
- Bibliography (max. 10 pages)
This section lists the references cited in the program description, including those pertaining to the state of knowledge in the field.
Renewal Team – Partnership (RT-P)
- Satisfaction of evaluation criteria (max. 14 pages)
In the “Program description” section, the team must attach a file in which it explicitly addresses, in order, all the evaluation criteria that apply to its stage of development and configuration. To facilitate the work of the committee members, the information should be presented in separate sections, each titled with the name of the evaluation criterion in question.
- Bibliography (max. 10 pages)
This section lists the references cited in the program description, including those pertaining to the state of knowledge in the field.
- Proof(s) of partnership (to be attached in the Other documents section of the form)
Proofs of partnership can take different forms, from a letter of support from a partner to a formal partnership agreement between the team and its partners, but must in all cases explicitly detail the nature of the partnership and the role each party will play if the grant is awarded.
Partnership teams must submit at least one proof of partnership document. Partnership team applications with no proofs of partnership will be deemed ineligible.
4.3 Documents for retired or contracted co-investigators
Additional documents are required for teams that include retired researchers or contracted researchers. These documents should be sent to the principal investigator who will attach them in the Other documents section of the application form.
Retired co-investigators must provide a letter from the university indicating that prior to retirement the researcher held a regular faculty position and that, throughout the duration of the grant, the researcher will have access to the facilities and logistical support required to carry out research activities and will continue to train/supervise students, where applicable.
Similarly, co-investigators with statuses 1 and 2 of the CGR who hold a non-tenure track university position must provide a letter from the university indicating that they will maintain this status throughout the duration of the grant.
4.4 Document to be attached in the Budget section
A Justification of planned expenditures must be attached in the Budget section of the form. This document is in addition to the costed budget and should demonstrate that each expense allocated to the team’s base budget is consistent with the planned scientific program.
Any optional funding requested by the team must be justified in this same section, using no more than the maximum number of pages allowed for each (see Section 6 – Funding):
| Justification | Maximum number of pages allowed |
| Base grant | 3 |
| Partnership team | 1 |
| Interregional team | 1 |
| Supplement for renewal team (12 members or more) | 1 |
4.5 Document to be attached in the College Support section
Each college researcher with a PhD who wishes to apply for funding under the Support for College Research program (see Section 6.3 – Support for College Research) must complete the document provided for this purpose in the Toolbox and attach it to the form.
4.6 The Canadian Common CV (CCV) and Detailed Contributions attachment of the principal investigator and co-investigators
The Fonds requires the Canadian Common CV and the PDF Detailed Contributions attachment of each investigator to be included in the appropriate section of the FRQnet ePortfolio.
Co-investigators must complete the FRQSC version of the Common Canadian CV, update this document within 12 months prior to the competition deadline, and complete the Detailed Contributions file. See the document Preparing a CV for the Fonds and the Detailed Contributions attachment in the program Toolbox for further information.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Co-investigators with Status 4 of the CGR do not need to submit a CCV. However, they must provide an abridged CV (maximum 2 pages), prepared according to the standards set out in the FRQ Abridged CV – Presentation Rules document available in the Toolbox.
4.7 Submitting the application
ATTENTION: The Fonds requires the approval of the managing institution. It is the applicant’s responsibility to submit the application to the institution before the competition deadline and to ensure that the application is forwarded to the Fonds within the time prescribed in the CGR (Section 3.2). At any time, applicants may verify the transmission status of their application in the “My forms” section of their FRQnet ePortfolio:
- The form will be flagged “Submitted to institution” once the applicant has transmitted the application to the managing institution;
- The form will be flagged “Submitted to the Fonds” once the managing institution has transmitted the application to the Fonds.
Applications received by the Fonds are assessed for eligibility. Applicants will receive an email notification no later than December following the competition deadline, informing them of the result of the eligibility assessment of their application and, where applicable, its transmission to the evaluation committee. Applications sent to the evaluation committee may nevertheless be declared ineligible at any time.
At the competition deadline of 4 p.m. on October 17, 2024, the status of the application in the FRQnet system must be “Submitted to Institution” or “Submitted to the Fonds” and all required documents must be attached to the form
An incomplete application that does not contain the information necessary to establish eligibility or which cannot be evaluated will be deemed ineligible by the Fonds. Elements missing from the application will not be requested. Documents received after the application deadline will not be considered. Unrequested documents will not be submitted to the evaluation committee.
A team that does not include the appropriate justification documents for optional or supplementary funding will not be entitled to these amounts.
5. EVALUATION
5.1 Peer review process
The role of evaluation committees and the conditions governing funding decisions are described in the CGR (Sections 4.4 and 4.5). Given the diverse profiles of evaluation committee members involved in this type of program, applicants are encouraged, in the documents submitted for evaluation, to present their program in such a way as to be easily understandable in a multidisciplinary context.
5.2 Special case: evaluation of Partnership teams
Partnership team applications are first evaluated by a committee of experts in partnership research in the Québec context. This committee only looks at the “Partnership” criterion, for which a minimum score of 70% is required. The other criteria are evaluated by multidisciplinary evaluation committees.
5.3 Evaluation criteria, sub-criteria and weighting
Applicants are invited to consult the FRQSC Scoring System Grid used by the evaluation committees.
All eligible applications are assessed on the basis of three criteria that provide a common foundation for the evaluation process:
- Scientific program
- Composition and coordination
- Students
A Team Achievements criterion is added for Renewal teams (RT and RT-P), as is the Partnership criterion for all teams in Partnership configuration (NT-P and RT-P).
IMPORTANT NOTE: To be recommended for funding, a team must receive an overall score of 70% or more and obtain at least 70% for the eliminatory Partnership criterion, if applicable.
NEW TEAM – UNIVERSITY (NT)
Scientific program – 50 points
- Potential for the advancement of knowledge and innovation (social, economic, technological, cultural, aesthetic, etc.)
- Relevance of the division of the scientific program into research thrusts and consistency, within thrusts, of the objectives with current and planned projects
- Appropriateness of the theoretical and conceptual tools and methodological approaches
- Quality of the anticipated scientific and knowledge mobilization activities
- Feasibility of the timeline and alignment with the requested budget*
* The feasibility of the budget estimates is assessed on the basis of information provided in the Budget section of the form.
Composition and coordination – 30 points
- Skills, leadership and experience of the principal investigator, both administrative and scientific
- Relevant experience and achievements of each co-investigator, and complementarity of their expertise in relation to the scientific program and knowledge mobilization
- Role of each co-investigator in the deployment of the scientific program
- Quality and frequency of the planned collaborative processes
- Efforts and methods for integrating new academics, where applicable*, and postdoctoral fellows
*If specific characteristics or restrictions of any kind apply to the team in relation to this sub-criterion, this should be stated in the application, for the benefit of the evaluation committee.
Students – 20 points
- Quality of research training provided to undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate students, beyond what is usually offered in their programs of study
- Efforts to integrate students into the team’s activities
- Appropriateness and adequacy of the budget to support students
NEW TEAM – PARTNERSHIP (NT-P)
Scientific program – 30 points
- Potential for the advancement of knowledge and innovation (social, economic, technological, cultural, aesthetic, etc.)
- Relevance of the division of the scientific program into research thrusts and consistency, within thrusts, of the objectives with current and planned projects
- Appropriateness of the theoretical and conceptual tools and methodological approaches
- Quality of the anticipated scientific and knowledge mobilization activities
- Feasibility of the timeline and alignment with the requested budget*
* The feasibility of the budget estimates is assessed on the basis of information provided in the Budget section of the form.
Partnership (eliminatory criterion) – 20 points
- Suitability of the choice of partner setting(s) and collaboration methods, including the level of effective engagement of the partner setting(s)
- Appropriateness of the scientific program as it pertains to the partner’s needs and objectives and quality of expected mutual benefits
Composition and coordination – 30 points
- Skills, leadership and experience of the principal investigator, both administrative and scientific
- Relevant experience and achievements of each co-investigator, and complementarity of their expertise in relation to the scientific program and knowledge mobilization
- Role of each co-investigator in the deployment of the scientific program
- Quality and frequency of the planned collaborative processes
- Efforts and methods for integrating new academics, where applicable*, and postdoctoral fellows
*If specific characteristics or restrictions of any kind apply to the team in relation to this sub-criterion, this should be stated in the application, for the benefit of the evaluation committee.
Students – 20 points
- Quality of research training provided to undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate students, beyond what is usually offered in their programs of study
- Efforts to integrate students into the team’s activities
- Appropriateness and adequacy of the budget to support students
RENEWAL TEAM – UNIVERSITY (RT)
Team achievements related to previous funding – 10 points
- In relation to the different thrusts of the previous scientific program, contribution of the team’s activities and achievements to the advancement of knowledge in the field and to the structuring of the theme
- Quality of collective activities and achievements attributable to the previous funding, in terms of training, graduation, outreach and mobilization
Scientific program – 50 points
- Added value of the proposed scientific program in relation to the previously funded program (evolution of the theme, theoretical and conceptual tools, methodological approaches, division of the scientific program into thrusts, etc.)
- Potential for the advancement of knowledge and innovation (social, economic, technological, cultural, aesthetic, etc.)
- Consistency, within thrusts, of the objectives with current and planned projects
- Quality of the anticipated scientific and knowledge mobilization activities
- Feasibility of the timeline and alignment with the requested budget*
* The feasibility of the budget estimates is assessed on the basis of information provided in the Budget section of the form.
Composition and coordination – 20 points
- Skills, leadership and experience of the principal investigator, both administrative and scientific
- Relevant experience and achievements of each co-investigator, and complementarity of their expertise in relation to the scientific program and knowledge mobilization
- Role of each co-investigator in the deployment of the scientific program
- Quality and frequency of the planned collaborative processes
- Efforts and methods for integrating new academics, where applicable*, and postdoctoral fellows
*If specific characteristics or restrictions of any kind apply to the team in relation to this sub-criterion, this should be stated in the application, for the benefit of the evaluation committee.
Students – 20 points
- Quality of research training provided to undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate students, beyond what is usually offered in their programs of study
- Efforts to integrate students into the team’s activities
- Appropriateness and adequacy of the budget to support students
RENEWAL TEAM – PARTNERSHIP (RT-P)
Team achievements related to previous funding – 10 points
- In relation to the different thrusts of the previous scientific program, contribution of the team’s activities and achievements to the advancement of knowledge in the field and to the structuring of the theme
- Quality of collective activities and achievements attributable to the previous funding, in terms of training, graduation, outreach and mobilization
Scientific program – 30 points
- Added value of the proposed scientific program in relation to the previously funded program (evolution of the theme, theoretical and conceptual tools, methodological approaches, division of the scientific program into thrusts, etc.)
- Potential for the advancement of knowledge and innovation (social, economic, technological, cultural, aesthetic, etc.)
- Consistency, within thrusts, of the objectives with current and planned projects
- Quality of the anticipated scientific and knowledge mobilization activities
- Feasibility of the timeline and alignment with the requested budget*
* The feasibility of the budget estimates is assessed on the basis of information provided in the Budget section of the form.
Partnership (eliminatory criterion) – 20 points
- Suitability of the choice of partner setting(s) and collaboration methods, including the level of effective engagement of the partner setting(s)
- Appropriateness of the scientific program as it pertains to the partner’s needs and objectives and quality of expected mutual benefits
Composition and coordination – 20 points
- Skills, leadership and experience of the principal investigator, both administrative and scientific
- Relevant experience and achievements of each co-investigator, and complementarity of their expertise in relation to the scientific program and knowledge mobilization
- Role of each co-investigator in the deployment of the scientific program
- Quality and frequency of the planned collaborative processes
- Efforts and methods for integrating new academics, where applicable*, and postdoctoral fellows
*If specific characteristics or restrictions of any kind apply to the team in relation to this sub-criterion, this should be stated in the application, for the benefit of the evaluation committee.
Students – 20 points
- Quality of research training provided to undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate students, beyond what is usually offered in their programs of study
- Efforts to integrate students into the team’s activities
- Appropriateness and adequacy of the budget to support students
6. FUNDING
6.1 Amounts offered
Base grant
New Team – University and Partnership: $60,000 per year
Renewal Team – University and Partnership: $95,000 per year
This program provides infrastructure grants*. Expenses must be directly related to the submitted scientific program and not to the projects that result from it and be in keeping with the expense categories listed in Section 8 of the CGR. Teams that incur expenses that are not eligible under this program will be refused reimbursement.
However, to enhance the leverage effect of the grant, up to 20% of the base grant may be used to reimburse expenditures related to:
- Launching a project (e.g., carrying out a preliminary study or pilot project)
OR
- Finalizing a project (e.g., completing the final stages of a project whose funding is at an end). In such cases, the project must be part of the scientific program and be carried out by at least two members of the team (principal investigator and/or co-investigators).
* Research infrastructure as defined by the CGR: A grouping of facilities and equipment, services and expertise required by a community for the conduct of research, that optimizes resource use and produces an environment conducive to conducting and sustaining research (e.g.: FRQS centres) or that is aimed at organizing a set of research activities within the framework of a research program, a developmental initiative or a major installation (e.g.: FRQNT or FRQSC strategic clusters).
Partnership team
New Team – Partnership: $20,000 per year
Renewal team – Partnership: $40,000 per year
This funding is designed to help with the coordination and realization of activities involving the partner setting. The amount requested must facilitate full and enhanced collaborations between the university and college researchers and the designated partner(s) and be explicitly justified in the section of the application provided for that purpose.
Interregional team
For all configurations: $2,500 to $10,000 per year
This supplement is offered to teams with an interregional component. It must be used to cover costs incurred due to the distance between the team’s co-investigators (travel, accommodation, videoconferencing, etc.) and promote the full participation of remote co-investigators and students in the scientific life of the team.
The team will receive $2,500 per year for each administrative region (as defined by the Government of Québec*) represented by a co-investigator, excluding that of the principal investigator.
The interregional supplement must be requested in the submitted budget; otherwise, it cannot be requested during the funding period. The supplement is subject to approval by the evaluation committee.
* This rule does not apply to co-investigators from the same university but working on campuses in different administrative regions.
Supplement for Renewal team with 12 members or more
Renewal Team, University and Partnership: $10,000 per year
This additional funding is awarded to teams with 12 members or more, including the principal investigator, co-investigators and other co-investigators, to help them to operate to their full capacity. Collaborators are not considered.
This funding must be included in the costed budget and be accompanied by the appropriate justification. It cannot be awarded during the funding period if it was not included in the team’s budget at the time of application.
6.2 Release from duties
A release from teaching duties, the value of which is left to the team’s discretion, is authorized for the principal investigator. Note that it must be requested in the submitted budget. Otherwise, it cannot be requested during the funding period. This supplement is subject to approval by the evaluation committee.
In the case of New and Renewal – Partnership teams, a release from duties is also authorized for a team member representing the partner setting, subject to the same conditions.
6.3 Support for College Research
For all configurations: up to $25,000 per year per eligible co-investigator
Additional funding may also be awarded for each college researcher with Status 3 of the CGR who holds a PhD and acts as co-investigator on a funded team. This supplement is intended to defray part of the costs associated with their participation in the program.
Subject to the availability of the necessary funding, this supplement of $25,000 per year may be used, at the discretion of the eligible college-level co-investigator, for a release of teaching duties or for any expenses eligible under the CGR, Section 8.
The Support for College Research supplement may be accumulated across multiple programs offered by the Fonds – Société et culture up to a maximum of $50,000 in a single fiscal year. In accordance with Section 6.10 of the CGR, any balance remaining at the end of one funding year may be carried over to the following year – in this case, up to a maximum of $50,000.
To be authorized by the Fonds, this supplement, unlike other optional funding, must be requested and justified in the College Support section of the application form in FRQnet. Otherwise, it cannot be claimed or paid out during the funding period.
If awarded, this supplement is paid directly to the eligible college researcher’s managing institution.
Finally, a portion of the grant may be used for salary support for Status 3 researchers without teaching duties. This amount, which is left to the discretion of the principal investigator, must be included in the budget. Otherwise, it cannot be requested during the funding period. This amount is subject to approval by the evaluation committee.
In the case of a researcher working in a college centre for technology transfer (CCTT), the amount may be transferred by the principal investigator’s institution directly to the college institution with which the CCTT is affiliated.
7. FOLLOW-UP AND REPORTING
The conditions regarding the announcement and management of funding are set out in Sections 5 to 8 of the CGR.
In all releases, reports, articles and communications, funding recipients must acknowledge that the research was funded by the FRQ.
During the funded period, a portfolio of peer-reviewed publications, released as immediate open access (without embargo) under an open license, must be produced, in accordance with the FRQ Open Access Policy. The number of publications to be included will depend on the number of co-investigators, including the principal investigator:
| Number of co-investigators | Number of publications |
| ≤ 20 | 2 |
| between 21 and 30 | 3 |
| between 31 and 40 | 4 |
| ≥ 41 | 5 |
8. EFFECTIVE DATE
These rules apply to the 2025-2026 fiscal year.