IMPORTANT NOTICE: The link to the FRQ electronic Portfolio (forms) is available under the Portals Access. More details are available in the About FRQnet section.

In the event of a discrepancy between the English and French versions of this program, the French version prevails. This program refers to the Common General Rules (CGR) , which are applicable to all programs of the FRQSC. Only the special terms and conditions applicable to the Program to release college researchers from their teaching duties are indicated in this document, and these prevail over the CGR .

ANY APPLICATION THAT IS INCOMPLETE AT THE COMPETITION DEADLINE WILL BE DEEMED INELIGIBLE BY THE FONDS.

It is important to note that this Program is dependant upon the access to sufficient financial resources.

The objectives of the Program aim to:

• enable college professors and researchers to contribute to Québec's technological, social and cultural  development;
• support collaborations between university and college professors on research projects, programs and topics;
• foster the emergence and consolidation of research activities in colleges;
• help college researchers initiate their students to research; ensure that college researchers contribute to regional development in collaboration with local stakeholders.

Full-time college researchers and professors who work in general and vocational colleges, private colleges of public interest and government schools that provide post-secondary education in Québec are eligible. A college researcher only may also be a regular full-time researcher in a college centre for research and technology transfer. Retired college researchers are eligible for statutory supplements only.

Under the responsibility of the applicant, a college researcher may request a release from his/her teaching duties and statutory supplement in a funding application submitted to one of the following programs:

• Strategic Clusters program (Regroupements stratégiques);
• Concerted Actions program (Actions concertées), whenever stated in the call for proposals;
• Research Team Support program (Soutien aux équipes de recherche);
• Research-Creation Support program (Appui à la recherche-création);
• Research Infrastructure Support for University-Affiliated Centres and Institutions (Soutien aux infrastructures de recherche des Instituts et des Centres affiliés universitaires).

E-FORMS

Applicants must create an E-portfolio on the Fonds website before applying, if this has not already been done. Individuals who already have a personal identification number (PIN) have direct access to a FRQnet account and must update their E-portfolio.

COMMON CANADIAN CV

The Fonds uses the Canadian Common CV and requires a PDF file of detailed contributions (available in the E-porfolio).

Refer to "Preparing a CV for the Fonds" and "Detailed Contributions the Common Canadian CV" in the program toolbox.

Updates to contact information can be made directly in the FRQnet E-portfolio.

The applications for releases and statutory supplements are assessed with the applications for funding submitted to one of the aforementioned programs. Evaluation committee members will consider the applications based on program-specific criteria and indicators. The committee submits its recommendations to the Board of Directors of each Fonds, which then makes funding decisions in accordance with the ranking determined by the committee. The awarding of funding and the commitment to continue funding in subsequent years are subject to decisions made by the Board of Directors of the Fonds according to strategic priorities and the annual budgetary appropriations voted by the Québec National Assembly. If need be, the Board of Directors may review and modify or terminate funding without notice. A release from teaching duties or statutory supplement is awarded only for applications that have obtained a grant, and on the condition that the committee has deemed these expenses to be appropriate.

All funding decisions of the boards of directors are final and cannot be appealed.

The results will be announced according to the conditions desribed at section 5 of the CGR.

There are two funding options:

1) Release from teaching duties

The release from teaching duties will be paid out to the college to cover the actual cost of the college researcher's salary. The maximum percentage granted for a release from teaching duties is 50%, which represents a maximum salary of $40 000. A college researcher may hold two concurrent grants under different programs that release him/her from his/her teaching duties. In all cases, teaching load reductions must not exceed 60% of the college researcher's work load. There is no limit to the number of college researchers on an application, and all researchers involved in a project may apply for a release.

2) Statutory supplement

Each statutory supplement totals $7 000/year. Only one statutory supplement may be granted for each college researcher on a funding application. There is no limit to the number of statutory supplements that a college researcher may cumulate. However, only one statutory supplement will be granted to each college researcher on an application. The statutory supplement is exclusively meant for college researchers to cover research activities that are not funded by the college. Expense eligibility is based on program-specific budgetary items. The salaries of researchers, postdoctoral trainees, research professionals, research technicians and
administrative staff, travel expenses, research material and supplies, telecommunications fees, computer supplies, the purchase of databases, production, editing and reproduction fees, premise and equipment rental fees, translation fees and the purchase of equipment all constitute eligible expenses.

For more details regarding these expenses, see section 8 of the CGR.

The release is granted on a yearly basis for the grant period, providing that the college researcher continues to meet the eligibility criteria, as stated in article 6.4 of the CGR.

These rules apply to the 2018-2019 fiscal year.

Technical assistance

Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Phone: 418 646-3669

Toll free: 1 866 621-7084

centre.assistance.sc@frq.gouv.qc.ca

Priority will be given to e-mail enquiries.

Updated June 16, 2017