Competition year : 
2021-2022

Deadline (application) : 
August 19th, 2021 at 16:00 (EST)

Announcement of results : 
November 2021

Amount : 
45 000$/year

Duration : 
12 months

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In your application, you will have the opportunity to describe how the COVID-19 pandemic may have affected your training or research  activities, 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.

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BY INVITATION ONLY (refer to Section 2.2: Target group)

Note: In the event of a discrepancy between the English and French versions of this program, the French version prevails.

This program refers to the Fonds de recherche du Québec (FRQ) Common General Rules (CGR), which apply to all Fonds de recherche du Québec – Société et culture (FRQSC) programs. Only conditions specific to this program are indicated in this document and these prevail over the CGR.

The Fonds uses the Canadian Common CV and also requires a PDF file of detailed contributions, available in the E-portfolio. Refer to Preparing a CV for the Fonds and Detailed Contributions attachment to the Canadian Common CV in the program Toolbox.

Updates to contact information can be made directly under “My profile” in the FRQnet E-portfolio.

In accordance with the Politique sur la collecte de données sociodémographiques visant à planifier des mesures en matière d’équité, de diversité et d’inclusion, adopted by the boards of directors of the three Fonds in April 2021, all applicants applying through the FRQnet platform are now required to fill out a self-identification questionnaire to complete the My Profile section of their E-portfolio. For more information, please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions on this topic.

AN APPLICATION THAT IS INCOMPLETE ON THE COMPETITION DEADLINE OF 4 P.M. ON AUGUST 19, 2021 WILL BE DEEMED INELIGIBLE BY THE FONDS.

READ SECTION 3 CAREFULLY TO AVOID OMITTING ANY REQUIRED DOCUMENTS.

This version was updated on July 20, 2021, subject to the approval of the Ministre de l’Économie et de l’Innovation.

1. PROGRAM OBJECTIVES

This program offers a funding extension to support Fonds Société et culture Postdoctoral Fellowship (B3Z) recipients in their efforts to publicize and promote the results of their postdoctoral research through knowledge mobilization activities, in accordance with the Fonds de recherche du Québec Knowledge Mobilization Strategy. Under this strategy, knowledge mobilization is an umbrella term covering several concepts related to the use and exploitation of research results: sharing, exchange, transfer, translation, application, valorization, commercialization, promotion, dissemination, etc.

More specifically, this program aims to maximize the impact of research  funded by the Fonds in civil society by contributing to the circulation of knowledge and expertise outside the academic community and by encouraging the implementation of mobilization and transfer activities that will increase its reach. The following are targeted as potential users of research results: public, private, community and practice sector audiences; policymakers; the general public, etc.

This program also aims to promote the professional integration of postdoctoral fellows outside the academic community by encouraging them to create ties with the communities that are potential users of their research results.

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In accordance with the Fonds de recherche du Québec open access policy for the dissemination of research, all funding recipients must agree to provide open access to their scientific publications no later than 12 months after publication. To learn more about the FRQ’s requirements  on this subject, please visit our page on open science.

2. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Applicants must meet all eligibility requirements on the competition deadline of 4 p.m. on August 19, 2021. Applying more than once to this program, under any competition, is not permitted.

2.1  Conditions of use of the fellowship
The mobilization activities must take place over a 12-month period beginning no later than 3 months after the end of the Postdoctoral Fellowship (B3Z) funding period (see Section 6, Terms of the fellowship).

They must be carried out under the formal supervision of a member of the academic community (researcher), who may or may not be the same person who supervised the postdoctoral fellowship funded under the Postdoctoral Fellowship program (B3Z). Academic co-supervision is accepted.

As practical experience is encouraged, applicants may also designate a non-academic setting from which to implement the knowledge mobilization plan. In this case, a person from the practice setting concerned must provide a letter of invitation (see 3.3).

2.2  Target group
This program is intended for all recipients of the fall 2018 Postdoctoral Fellowship (B3Z) competition whose funding period ends no later than March 31, 2022. However, individuals who have already  applied  under this program  (B3ZR) are excluded.

2.3  Citizenship and residency

To be eligible for the competition, the applicant must maintain the citizenship and residency conditions they demonstrated at the time of application for a Postdoctoral Fellowship (B3Z) in the fall of 2018.

IMPORTANT: Applicants who, at the time of submitting their fellowship application in the fall of 2018, were not Canadian citizens or permanent residents, as well as those from a Canadian province other than Québec, must carry out their knowledge mobilization activities in Québec and be physically present in Québec for the duration of funding (in accordance with the rules in effect at the time of application in the fall of 2018).

2.4  Eligibility period exceptions
For more information about conditions regarding eligibility period exceptions, please refer to Sections 6.13 and 6.14 of the CGR.

The Fonds reserves the right to refuse any request that is not adequately justified.

3. SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION

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IMPORTANT:  If you meet the eligibility requirements and you would like to apply, please write to bourspost3.sc@frq.gouv.qc.ca to request access to the application form. The form will be made available in your FRQnet E- portfolio no later than one month before the competition deadline.

Applicants are advised to prepare their application well in advance to ensure that it is submitted before the deadline, given the large number of applications and requests received by the Fonds at the end of the competition.

An application consists of the following documents:

1.     The application form entitled Postdoctoral Fellowship – Knowledge Mobilization Plan (B3ZR), available in the E-portfolio (Bourse postdoctorale – Plan de mobilisation des connaissances);

2.     The Canadian Common CV and Detailed Contributions  file;

3.     Required documents to be submitted with the  form.

3.1  Application form

IMPORTANT: It is the applicant’s sole responsibility to choose the right  application form, the right funding program and the right Fonds for their application. In the event of an error, the Fonds will not transfer the application and the application will be deemed ineligible, either when assessed for eligibility or by the evaluation committee.

As indicated in the CGR   (Section  3.6),  forms may be filled out in French or English. However, the project title and abstract must imperatively be in French. This information may be used by the Fonds for promotional and dissemination purposes.

The description of the mobilization plan (maximum 6 pages) must be attached in the appropriate section of the electronic application  form.

Pages in excess of the number permitted in each section of the application will be removed from the application before submission for evaluation.

3.2  Canadian Common CV and Detailed Contributions attachment

The Canadian Common CV and “Detailed Contributions” attachment file are available in the Toolbox section on the program page or directly in the “Activity details” box in the E-portfolio. The Canadian Common CV (“Fonds Société et culture” version) must be up-to-date. The Detailed Contributions file, also up-to-date, must be completed in due form and attached to the application in the appropriate section of the E-portfolio. To ensure that the attachment is properly transmitted to the Fonds, it must be saved in PDF format under “Canadian Common CV” in the E-portfolio.

3.3  Required documents

The following documents are required and must be attached in the “Other documents” section of the form:

·       LETTER OF SUPPORT (mandatory) : A letter of support from the person(s) who will (co)supervise the postdoctoral fellowship in an academic setting, attesting to the relevance of the mobilization project and confirming (co)supervision for the additional year of funding (in the form, document referred to as: LETTRE DU SUPERVISEUR OU DE LA SUPERVISEURE).

·       LETTER OF INVITATION FROM THE HOST ENVIRONMENT (if applicable): If the fellowship will be taking place in a non-academic  setting, an official letter of support from a person representing the practice setting that has agreed to host the applicant for his/her mobilization activities must be included with the application. This letter must indicate the added value of this collaboration and describe the  planned support and guidance mechanisms (in the form, document referred to as: LETTRE D’INVITATION DU MILIEU)

·       POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH PROJECT SUMMARY (mandatory): A summary of the funded, ongoing or completed postdoctoral research project.

·       PROOF OF REGISTRATION OR INVITATION (if applicable): Proof of registration or invitation to participate in an event relevant to the proposed knowledge mobilization activities.

·       A RAMQ CARD THAT IS VALID AT THE COMPETITION DEADLINE OR PROOF OF APPLICATION FOR A RAMQ CARD AND THAT THE NEW CARD WILL BE VALID AT THE COMPETITION DEADLINE, OR OTHER OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS (mandatory): If the applicant does not have a valid RAMQ card or proof that he or she has requested a RAMQ card and that the new card will be valid at the competition deadline, the applicant must provide a copy of two different documents, each of which demonstrates that he or she lived in Québec throughout the postdoctoral fellowship (see List of accepted documents )

·       SUPPORTING DOCUMENT FOR ELIGIBILITY PERIOD EXCEPTION (if applicable): Applicants seeking eligibility period exceptions (see Section 2.4) must provide an official document attesting to a parental leave authorized by the Fonds during the Postdoctoral Fellowship (B3Z), a medical certificate attesting to serious health reasons or a disability, or a supporting document attesting to major family obligations.

For each of the relevant sections under “Activity details”, all required documents must be assembled and scanned into a single PDF document  and attached to the electronic form in that section.

To be accepted, scanned PDF copies must be legible and without read protection or special double tab  configuration.

Refer to the Presentation standards for PDF attachments to FRQnet forms document to properly format any documents to be attached to the application.

Applicants may include links to web pages as bibliographic  references, where relevant. However, the application must not be based in whole or in part on online content available to members of the evaluation  committee.

The applicant is responsible for ensuring that all required documents have been included and submitted with the application. No  document  other than those listed here will be accepted.

Any missing document will render the application ineligible.

IMPORTANT: Throughout the application process, applicants are encouraged to check that no correspondence from the Fonds has ended up in the “junk” or “spam” folder of their email Inbox.

THE APPLICANT MUST NOT FORGET TO TRANSMIT THE APPLICATION AFTER COMPLETING AND VALIDATING IT, BY CLICKING THE “SUBMIT” BUTTON IN THE FORM.

At any time, applicants may verify in their E-portfolio that the most recent version of their application has been successfully submitted. The application file in “My forms” should be flagged as “Submitted to the Fonds” before the competition deadline. This indicates that the application has been received by the Fonds.

Once the application form has been submitted, it will not be possible to resubmit or modify the application in any way regardless of the transmission date, even if it is before the competition deadline.

No reminder will be made and no documents can be added after the competition deadline of 4 p.m. on August 19, 2021.

As indicated in Section 3 of  the  CGR  ,  applicants  certify  that  all  information provided is accurate and complete,  and  undertake  to  comply  with all rules and principles set out in the Fonds de recherche  du  Québec Policy for the responsible conduct of research. They authorize their institution to transmit, where applicable, any personally  identifiable  information resulting from the  application  of  this  policy.  Applicants  are  asked to sign  an  agreement  to  that  effect  when  submitting  their  application.

The FRQSC reserves the right to verify the authenticity of all documents and information provided with the organizations  concerned.

All applications received by the Fonds are assessed for eligibility. A notice will be sent via email no later than September following the competition deadline, informing the applicant of the status of his/her application and, where applicable, its transmission to the evaluation  committee.

Applicants whose application package is deemed incomplete or invalid will also be notified by email that their application has not been transmitted to the evaluation committee.

4. APPLICATION ASSESSMENT

4.1 Evaluation process

As indicated in Section 4 of the CGR , the Fonds receives fellowship applications and submits them for evaluation by research professors from    a variety of disciplines who recommend funding for applications judged to be of satisfactory scientific quality.

4.2  Evaluation criteria, indicators and weighting

Committee members evaluate the applications according to the evaluation criteria, indicators  and  weighting  specified  in  these  program  rules,  based  on the Fonds Scores and Ratings Grid .

To be recommended, an application must obtain an overall score of 70% or more. In addition, a score of 70% is required for the Mobilization plan criterion.

Applicants are advised to attach equal importance to both the evaluation criteria and their associated  indicators.

Applications are evaluated according to the following  criteria,  indicators and weighting:

Postdoctoral fellowship (30 points):

Scientific output (15 points)

Acquisition of skills and experience (15 points)

Mobilization plan (70 points):

Description of the planned mobilization strategy in accordance with the program objectives, including a presentation of the research  results  that will be mobilized and specifying the nature of the target  audience(s) (25 points)

Relevance of the planned mobilization activities and anticipated  benefits for the target audience(s) (20 points)

Timeframe, realism and feasibility (15 points)

Added value for the career plan (10 points)

5. ANNOUNCEMENT OF RESULTS AND VALUE OF FELLOWSHIP

5.1  Announcement of results

The Fonds informs every applicant of the results of the  evaluation  of his/her application and the funding decision made by the Fonds. Competition results are offcially announced on the Fonds website and the announcement letter is sent to the applicant’s E-portfolio.

Successful applicants must accept or refuse the fellowship within  30  calendar days after the fellowship offer was sent, in the “Manage my funding” section of their E-portfolio. An applicant who fails to accept the fellowship before the deadline is considered to have refused the fellowship (CGR, Section 5.2).

5.2  Value and duration of funding

The fellowship has a maximum value of $45,000 and a duration of 12 months.

The annual supplement of $10,000 may be maintained for applicants who carried out their postdoctoral fellowship  in  a  host  environment  situated  more than 250km from Québec’s borders and wish to implement their mobilization  plan  there1.

1Reminder: in the case of co-supervision in a Quebec institution, the $10,000 will be adjusted in proportion to the number of months spent outside the province of Quebec.

6. TERMS OF THE FELLOWSHIP

To retain the fellowship, fellowship holders must meet the following basic conditions throughout the duration of funding:

Meet the conditions relating to citizenship and place of  residence.

Have completed the Postdoctoral Fellowship funding period before beginning the mobilization activities.

Begin the mobilization activities no later than 3 months after the end of the Postdoctoral Fellowship (B3Z) funding period and pursue them on a full-time basis.

Respect the rules relating to concurrent funding.

Respect the rules relating to paid  employment.

Fellowship  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 fellowship and could request reimbursement.

6.1  Fellowship period

The fellowship must begin no later than 3 months after the end of the Postdoctoral Fellowship (B3Z) funding  period.

The fellowship is non-transferrable from one year to the next.

The fellowship is not retroactive.

6.2  Fellowship payments

Fellowship payments must be requested  by  the  fellowship  holder  for each 4-month period, in the “Manage my funding” section of the E- portfolio.

The second and third instalments are conditional on the presentation of a letter from the supervisor attesting to the good continuation of the mobilization activities according to the plan.

Any unclaimed payment can be cancelled at the end of the period it covers, without advance notice.

6.3  Full-time rule

To retain the fellowship, the fellowship holder must devote himself/herself full-time to carrying out the mobilization activities. Failure to respect this rule could result in the withdrawal of the  fellowship.  If, under exceptional circumstances, these conditions cannot  be  respected,  the Fonds must be advised as soon as possible and will determine whether the fellowship should be maintained or  cancelled.

Note that the postdoctoral fellowship cannot be suspended during the funding period. Under exceptional circumstances, the fellowship holder should contact the Fonds, which will analyze the situation on reception of the required supporting documents and approve or refuse the requested suspension.

6.4  Convertibility of the fellowship into a start-up grant

This fellowship can be used as a start-up grant by a fellowship holder who   is offered a position as a regular professor in a Québec university. The fellowship holder must have completed four full months of  planned transfer activities before requesting to convert part of the fellowship (up to $15,000) into a start-up grant for the new position. The effective date of the start-up grant is the fellowship holder’s employment start date.

This grant is subject to the same rules as those of the Research Support for New Academics program. A person who benefits from this conversion remains eligible to apply for this  program.

6.5  Parental leave

For more information about conditions regarding parental leave, refer to Section 6.13 of the CGR .

6.6  Concurrent awards

The fellowship may not be held concurrently with:

A fellowship or scholarship from a Canadian granting agency such as   the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada  (SSHRC), the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR),  etc.

A fellowship or scholarship from a Québec granting agency such as the Fonds de recherche du Québec – Santé (FRQS), the Fonds de recherche du Québec – Nature et technologies (FRQNT), the Conseil de recherches en pêche et agro-alimentaire du Québec (CORPAQ).

Concurrent funding is prohibited with a scholarship from the Canada Council for the Arts (CCA) or the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec (CALQ) for the same project.

The  fellowship  may be held concurrently with:

Scholarships and fellowships from ministries and agencies of the Québec and Canadian governments, other than those  mentioned above;

Private sector and university scholarships and   fellowships.

6.7  Paid employment

A fellowship holder may accept paid employment provided that the employment does not exceed 250 hours per 4-month period and that the employment  does  not  interfere  with  the  mobilization activities.

The Fonds considers teaching a 45-hour course to be equivalent  to  150 hours of employment. Note that the same 45-hour teaching assignment given to two groups during the same term constitutes two teaching assignments.

6.8  Modifying the mobilization plan

For more information about conditions regarding making changes to the mobilization plan, please refer to Section 6.5 of the CGR  .

7. EFFECTIVE DATE

The provisions set out in this document apply to the 2021-2022 fiscal  year.

The Fonds reserves the right to modify the value of the scholarship and/or the program rules detailed in this document without prior  notice.

Version updated on the website July 20, 2021.