During the margins of the Science Forum South Africa (SFSA), the Fonds de recherche du Québec (FRQ) and the National Research Foundation (NRF), signed a joint declaration of intent. This declaration aims to promote and facilitate research collaborations and mobility between Québec and South Africa.
As part of this agreement, the FRQ and the NRF will launch the first call for proposals on environmental and wildfire prevention, mitigation methods and interventions. The objective of the first call will be to fund joint research projects with a holistic perspective on mitigating wildfires. This call subscribes to a need for research between two regions of the world affected by the effects of climate change.
More details will follow.
Citations
“I am pleased to sign this agreement with the NRF that demonstrates our commitment to bring our research communities closer together and explore new avenues of collaboration. By uniting our efforts, we are reinforcing our capacities to face great challenges that are affecting both Québec and South Africa, like wildfires and flooding.”
– Rémi Quirion, Chief Scientist of Québec
“The NRF is excited to embark on this collaborative journey with the FRQ. Our joint expertise and programming will undoubtedly lead to innovative solutions and impactful research and skills development outcomes for South Africa and Québec”.
– Thandi Mgwebi, Group executive for Business Advancement at the NRF.
About the FRQ
Reporting to the minister of Économy, Innovation and Energy of Québec, the FRQ aims to support the strategic and coherent development the scientific research in Québec in the sectors of natural sciences, engineering, life sciences, social sciences, humanities and arts.
About the NRF
The NRF is an independent statutory body established through the National Research Foundation Act (Act No 23 of 1998) and is an entity of the Department of Science Innovation and Technology (DSTI). The mission of the NRF to promote and support research and innovation for the advancement of knowledge and societal impact in South Africa and internationally, as well as to develop human capacity in science and technology.
More information
Laurent Corbeil
Strategic Advisor, International Relations
Fonds de recherche du Québec