Competition year :
2021-2022
Deadline (pre-request) :
August 24th, 2020 at 16:30 (EST)
Deadline (application) :
October 1st, 2020 at 16:30 (EST)
Announcement of results :
April 2021
Amount :
$18,003 to $53,082
Duration :
4 years
Objectives
This program is designed to facilitate the recruitment of qualified clinician researchers seeking to begin or continue a career as independent researcher in human health. With this program, the FRQS intends to promote continuity in health research in Québec and ensure that high-calibre scientists are available to meet the needs of universities, hospitals and industries.
Applicants must hold a professional degree in a health-related field and work as half-time researchers (at least 50% of their working hours). This program is divided into four research areas: 1) basic research; 2) clinical and epidemiological research; 3) research on health and society; and 4) research on health and technologies.
Important note : It is the responsability of the applicant to choose the right program and the right form for the award application. No program transfer will be made following the applicant’s file eligibility review.
Table of contents
- ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
- RESEARCH AREAS
- REQUIRED DOCUMENTS – NOTICE OF INTENT
- REQUIRED DOCUMENTS – COMPLETE APPLICATION
- RESEARCH LOCATION
- RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
- DURATION OF THE AWARD
- AMOUNT OF THE AWARD
- STARTING GRANT FOR NEW CLINICIAN INVESTIGATORS - JUNIOR 1
- OTHER SOURCES OF FUNDING
- EVALUATION
- REPORTS
- COMMITMENTS
- UNIVERSITY AUTHORITIES ‘AGREEMENT
- OPEN ACCESS
- KNOWLEDGE MOBILIZATION
- EQUITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION
- IMPORTANT MODIFICATIONS SINCE THE LAST COMPETITION
- AWARDS IN PARTNERSHIP
1. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Eligible applicants | Applicants must:
Candidates may apply:
The following individuals are not eligible to apply :
Applicants holding an award with more than 12 months remaining as of October 1, 2020. |
Terms and conditions |
University approval is done in the Institutions portal at a date that is determined by the university and which precedes the FRQS deadline (see section on Required Documents)
“No one shall be entitled to a research scholarship if, in the opinion of the Fonds de recherche du Québec – Santé under the Act respecting the Ministère du Développement économique, de lIinnovation et de l’Exportation.”(chapter M-30.01),
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Basic research ethics training | Basic research ethics training is mandatory for all recipients of an FRQS career award when their research projects or programs involve human beings. Research on human beings involves:
Awardees must therefore successfully complete levels 1 and 3 of the Online Tutorial in Research Ethics developed by the Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux. This training must be completed within the one year of the date following confirmation by the FRQS that the award is granted. In addition, all career award recipients must attend a Research Ethics Board (REB) meeting as observers. The REB must be affiliated with a university or with an institution within the health and social services network. Participation must occur within two years of receipt of a positive response concerning the FRQS award. |
2. RESEARCH AREAS
All applicants are required to choose one of the four following research areas : | |
Basic science | This area includes the basic biological mechanisms of health at the molecular, cellular, tissue and integrative levels, including all research that uses intact animal organisms or their cellular components, cell lines, or human cells and tissues. Research that involves the participation of human subjects is included under this heading as long as it involves basic mechanisms. |
Clinical and epidemiological science | In general, this area includes all biological, medical and epidemiological research that involves the participation of human subjects. |
Health and society | This area includes research on individual, social and cultural factors and interactions among them that are linked to health status or behaviors. There are many social and cultural factors that are relevant to health: the organization and provision of health care, social and health-care policy, education, economics and employment, the media, ethical issues, the environment in which we live, and so on. |
Health and technologies | The health and technologies research area focuses on research whose main objective is to create, develop or evaluate innovative technologies applicable to human health such as biomaterials, biomechanics, tissue engineering, biomedical imaging, artificial intelligence, nanomedicine, nanotechnologies, regenerative medicine, electrophysiology, radiobiology, telemedicine and health information sciences, rehabilitation engineering, etc. Please note that projects using new technologies to meet other objectives should be submitted to the other research areas, according to the objectives and the corresponding methodologies. |
It is possible to combine two research areas ; for example, basic science and clinical and epidemiological science may intersect in research projects that involve human subjects. After reviewing the Notices of Intent, the FRQS may ask that an applicant redirect his or her application to the research area in which the Review Committee possesses the most appropriate expertise for reviewing the file. In doubt, applicants are invited to contact the FRQS. |
3. REQUIRED DOCUMENTS – NOTICE OF INTENT
Documents sent via mail or e-mail will not be accepted Transmission via the FRQS electronic portfolio only
IMPORTANT :
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Applicants |
The Notice of Intent enables the FRQS to:
The FRQS will confirm applicants’ eligibility by e-mail by mid-September. Only applicants who are deemed to be eligible and have been approved by the university may submit applications. |
4. REQUIRED DOCUMENTS – COMPLETE APPLICATION
Transmission via the FRQS electronic portfolio only
IMPORTANT :
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Applicants |
E-mail transmission (PDF documents only) to the program officer The e-mail transmission date will attest to the date on which the documents were submitted.
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Directors of university research centres or departments | ||
Two respondents | For Junior 1 applicants only
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Mentor | For Junior 1 applicants only
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Resubmission | If the application is a resubmission in the same category, the candidate must indicate it in the form and include the answers of the previous reviewers. The application will be rejected if it is not mentionned. | |
IMPORTANT : All forms (applicants and supervisors as well as respondents and mentors if applicable) should be submitted before the institutional (university) deadline, which is before the FRQS submission deadline. Specific instructions are provided in each form. | ||
Application update | Applicants may update their award notices and publication lists until January 5, 2021. Please include grant confirmations and acknowledgements from editors for articles that are accepted for publication and submitted (do not include copy of the articles). One PDF document must be sent to the program officer. The file name must include the applicant’s name, application number and research topic. No other documents will be accepted. After January 5, 2021, applicants may only submit the results of funding competitions in PDF format. These documents will be forwarded to the evaluation committee if it has not been held yet. | |
Confirmation | Applicants will be notified by email regarding the eligibility or ineligibility of their applications in November. |
5. RESEARCH LOCATION
Choice of research location |
Applicants may conduct their research outside the MSSS network or outside the FRQS network of research centres if they belong to a team or laboratory working on health-care issues recognized by the FRQS.
An agreement may be signed between the FRQS, the host company and a university, depending on the applicant’s particular case. Under such an agreement, the applicant will conduct an innovative research program and train graduate students. |
Change of research location | The FRQS expects that the award recipient will work at the institution or university that approved his or her application throughout the award period. Awardees wishing to change their research location must send the FRQS a written request detailing the reasons for the change and describing how it could affect their research project (Change of research location form – see Toolbox). As stated in section 6.5 of the Common General Rules, any change in an award holder’s status must be reported in the Manage My Funding module of the ePortfolio. University authorities must give the FRQS written notice that they have approved the change. The director of the new research centre or university department must inform the FRQS in writing that they accept to host the award recipient and will provide conditions equivalent to those outlined in the form submitted by the director of the previous centre. |
6. RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
The FRQS will classify the applicants as a Junior 1, Junior 2 or Senior Clinical Researcher and will notify them of their classification. On receiving such notice, applicants have 7 business days to request a review of their classification, specifying the reasons for the claim. Classification is based on a given reference year as of which applicants demonstrate their capacity for independent research. As defined by the FRQS, this capacity is demonstrated or should have been demonstrated:
When one of these conditions is met, applicants are classified Junior 1 with 0 years of experience, and, as of this point, the number of years of experience is updated annually. Applicants with 4 to 7 years’ experience are classified Junior 2, and those with 8 to 11 years’ experience are classified Senior. For the FRQS, each year of experience is calculated at the effective starting date of the award (July 1st). Once the counting of years of experience has started, there is no going back. However, during the calculation of the number of years of experience, the FRQS does take into account particular situations that may cause applicants to temporarily put their research on hold (e.g. parental leave, sick leaves, professional activities not involving research: clinical, treatment, management, etc.) and may subtract such years when counting years of experience. For more information, please consult the document Calculation of research experience and particular situations, available in the electronic tool box. |
7. DURATION OF THE AWARD
Effective starting date | Between July 1st and September 30, 2021 |
Duration | Junior 1: 4 years for all applicants Junior 2: maximum 4 years Senior: maximum 4 years The duration of Junior 1 award is 4 years, regardless of the level of experience calculated at the time the award is received by the applicant. At the end of the 4 years of the Junior 1 award, awardees are promoted to Junior 2 status with 4 years’ experience in research. The number of years of experience is updated annually as of this new reference year. For the Junior 2 and Senior classification level, the duration of the award is a maximum of 4 years which decreases with the number of years of experience. For example, the duration of a Junior 2 award is 4 years if the number of years of experience is deemed to be 4, 3 years if there are 5 years of experience, 2 years for 6 years of experience, and 1 year for the Junior 2 level (with one year credited towards the Senior level) for awardees with 7 years’ experience. For the Senior category, the FRQS undertakes to remunerate the applicant in decreasing amounts. (See Amount of the Award) |
Parental leave | In accordance to section 6.13 of the Common General Rules, the awardee may benefit from an award payment deferral during parental leave (maternity, paternity or adoption). The award may be deferred for a maximum of two years. At least 6 months prior to the leave, the awardee must give the FRQS and the university’s authority a written notice of his/her intention to take advantage of such deferral. A letter from the University and a medical certificate (delivery date) or any other document (birth or adoption certificate) will be required to confirm the date at which the parental leave starts and the date of return to work. |
Sabbatical leave | Award recipients will receive their full stipend during a sabbatical year as long as they meet the following requirements:
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Sick leave or other reasons | The awardee may defer the award in case of illness or other reasons provided by the Loi sur les normes du travail as described in section 6.14 of the Common General Rules. The awardee has to inform by email the FRQS of his/her intention to take advantage of such deferral by attaching a document from his/her institution stating the authorized duration of the leave. Payments will be suspended during that period. |
8. AMOUNT OF THE AWARD
Amount | From $18,003 to $53,082, including benefits of 12%, based on years of experience. This amount must be used exclusively to pay the salary of the awardee and cannot, under any circumstances, be converted into research funds. This award corresponds to 60% of the award for Research Scholars in the Research Scholars – Junior 1, Junior 2 and Senior program. The pay scale for Clinical Research Scholars is set by the government of Québec and appears in article 52 of section XVI of the Bylaws to the Québec Health Insurance Act. This amount must be supplemented by the university (see section on University authorities’ agreement) |
University share | For the Senior category, the FRQS undertakes to pay the award recipient in decreasing amounts: 8 years of experience 100 % This policy is designed to ensure that the host institution agrees to supplement the award recipient’s salary and to integrate them into their workforce (see section on University authorities’ agreement) |
Management | The list of institutions that can administer funding from the FRQ is limited to the managing institutions recognized by the FRQ, including universities, CIUSSS, CISSS, some institutions of the healthcare network and colleges. The managing institution is generally the employing institution of the funding recipient (see section 6.2 of the Common General Rules). |
Indirect costs of research | This program does not benefit from the amount paid out by FRQS to cover indirect costs of research of the institutions. |
9. STARTING GRANT FOR NEW CLINICIAN INVESTIGATORS - JUNIOR 1
Individuals who apply to the FRQS competition for Junior 1 clinical research scholars will also receive a starting grant for young investigators – Junior 1 from the FRQS valued at $15,000/year for four (4) years, non-renewable. | |
Restrictions | When an individual receives a starting grant for new investigators from the FRQS and a starting grant from another research institution, the FRQS will deduct the amount received from the other institution from the FRQS grant. Grant holders and the individuals who manage the grants are jointly responsible for advising the FRQS that two grants were awarded. |
Eligible expenses | Expenses directly related to research activities:
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Non-eligible expenses |
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Indirect costs of research | The starting grant associated with the research scholars program does not benefit from the amount paid out by FRQS to cover indirect costs of research of the institutions. |
Extension | The carry over of an unspent amount is allowed according to the terms and conditions described in section 6.10 of the Common General Rules. In addition, any unspent balance at the end of the fiscal year may be carried over to the following year provided that it is less than twenty-five percent (25%) of the total annual grant. Any balance exceeding 25% must be returned to the FRSQ. |
10. OTHER SOURCES OF FUNDING
Concurrent funding | See Common General Rules, art. 6.12 A Canada Research Chair holder cannot concurrently hold the Chair and also receive a salary award from the FRQS or a starting grant for new investigators at the Junior 1 level. |
11. EVALUATION
Process | All applications are reviewed :
The FRQS will recruit 5 review committees for the clinical research scholars:
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In addition to the specific evaluation criteria, the candidate must demonstrate the ability or potential:
- to be a competitive researcher at the national and international levels
- to collaborate with researchers from other disciplines to the satisfaction of the FRQS
Different criteria are used based on the area of research; its relative importance in the overall review by the peer-review committees may vary depending on the classification level – Junior 1, Junior 2 or Senior:
The review of the applicant’s research training and proposed research project is of greater relative importance at the Junior 1 level
The review of the applicant’s outreach and productivity in terms of training students and obtaining grants assumes increasing importance at the Junior 2 and Senior levels.
The evaluation criteria for each level are detailed in the Evaluation grids Junior 1, Junior 2, Senior (See toolbox).
12. REPORTS
Final Report | By accepting the clinical research scholar award, the awardee commits to giving a final report at the end of his/her award by the deadline set by the FRQS. |
Financial Report | For Start-up grant for new investigators : By accepting the starting grant for new investigators, the awardee and the managing institution commit to giving an annual financial report by the deadline set by the FRQS. |
13. COMMITMENTS
Any application submitted to this program is subject to compliance with the conditions set out in the FRQnet electronic portals and forms.
14. UNIVERSITY AUTHORITIES ‘AGREEMENT
Approval | The university approves applications and assumes the responsibilities listed below jointly with the head of the department with which the applicant is affiliated and the research centre where the research will be conducted (if applicable). This approval is done in the Institutions portal at a date that is determined by the university and which is before the FRQS deadline (see section on Required Documents) |
Salary supplement |
Under such circumstances, the partners must ensure that the applicant will receive a salary supplement equal to the difference between the award and the remuneration that the applicant would receive from the university or from the partner as a full-time professor or employee. A protocol of agreement must be signed with the FRQS to cover this partnership. |
Confirmation of position – Senior Clinical Research Scholars | For applications in the Senior Clinical Research Scholar competition:
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Benefits and laboratory or research premises | The awardee must be eligible to join the pension plan and enjoy other benefits available to full-time staff working at the university. These obligations imply that the researcher’s salary will be administered by the university even if he or she works at a research centre. The host institution agrees to provide the functional laboratory or research premises and basic equipment the awardee requires for research purposes. |
Protected time for research | University and host institution administrators must jointly ensure that the awardee is released from his/her administrative, clinical and teaching duties so that he/she may fulfill the obligation to devote at least half (50%) of his/her professional activities to research. |
15. OPEN ACCESS
In accordance with the Fonds de recherche du Québec Open access policy for the dissemination of research, all funding recipients must agree to make their publications freely available in open access within 12 months of publication. For further information concerning FRQ requirements on the subject, please consult our Open science Web page.
16. KNOWLEDGE MOBILIZATION
The FRQS encourages awardees to conduct and participate in knowledge mobilization activities (transfer, sharing, development, enhancement and dissemination) with practice settings and the general public, when such activities are relevant. Please read the document Knowledge Mobilization in the toolbox.
17. 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 activities. For more information, see our statements on equity, diversity and inclusion.
18. IMPORTANT MODIFICATIONS SINCE THE LAST COMPETITION
Required documents – Complete application
19. AWARDS IN PARTNERSHIP
The FRQS offers a number of awards in collaboration with partners. The share of funding from the FRQS and the partner may vary according to the agreements in effect. Eligible applicants are selected through a three-step process:
As with all the awards offered by FRQS, the awards granted in partnership are based on merit following a scientific evaluation by a committee of experts or peers. Note that by choosing to be considered for an award in partnership, and that you obtain such an award, you agree that the partner communicates with you for activities related to the award. | |
Breast Cancer (Junior 1 only) | Fondation du cancer du sein du Québec Career awards in the Breast Cancer research field. |
Cardiovascular and cerebrovascular health (Junior 1 and Junior 2 only) | Heart and Stroke Foundation of Québec Career awards in the Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Health research field. |
Child Health (Junior 1 only) | Canadian Child Health Scientist Programe (CCHSCP) All candidates must also submit an application to CCHCSP. |
Hypertension (Junior 1 and Junior 2 only) | Société québécoise d’hypertension artérielle (SQHA) – Jacques de Champlain Award The Jacques de Champlain Award in Cardiovascular health and Hypertension fields includes a research support supplement (maximum of $10,000 per year). |
Kidney Health (Junior 1 and Junior 2 only) | Société québécoise de néphrologie Career awards in the Kidney health research. Only nephrologists are eligible. |
Kidney Health | The Kidney Foundation of Canada – KRESCENT Rearch Program |
Parkinson’s disease | Parkinson Québec Career Awards in the Parkinson’s Disease research field. |
Patient-Oriented Research | Unité de soutien SRAP du Québec (SPOR Support Unit in Québec) The Strategy for Patient-Oriented (SPOR) in Québec is to engage the various stakeholders involved, including patients, varegivers and the public, in the development and delivery of patient-oriented research projects (POR). The SPOR Support Unit in Québec contributes to capacity building and professional development in POR of these stakeholders. The awards offered in partnership with the Unit allow award recipients to hone their skills and develop or consolidate valued expertise in POR, and to expand their network of collaborators and mentors in the area. Priority themes : primary care, proximity care, integration of care and service trajectories. |
Radiology | Fondation de l’Association des radiologistes du Québec (FARQ) Career awards in the Diagnostic Radiology research field (including therapeutic and intervention impacts). Only radiologists (physicians) are eligible to apply. |