Introduction
The Fonds de recherche du Québec (FRQ) is a government agency that supports scientific research, researcher training and knowledge mobilization in Quebec, Canada. It funds students, researchers, research teams, institutions and collaborative initiatives across multiple academic disciplines.
History and Background
The unified Fonds de recherche du Québec was officially established on June 1, 2024, under Quebec legislation. It consolidated the province’s three research funds into a single organisation while maintaining their specialised research sectors:
The new structure was created to improve coordination, encourage interdisciplinary research and strengthen the impact of Quebec’s research ecosystem.
Mission and Purpose
The FRQ’s mission is to support the strategic and coordinated development of scientific research in Quebec.
Its principal objectives include:
- Funding high-quality research and innovation
- Training new generations of researchers
- Supporting master’s, doctoral and postdoctoral students
- Strengthening Quebec’s research institutions and networks
- Encouraging interdisciplinary and international collaboration
- Promoting research results and knowledge mobilization
- Supporting equity, diversity and inclusion in research
- Improving Quebec’s scientific visibility in Canada and internationally
Governance and Structure
The FRQ is governed by a Board of Directors. Quebec’s Chief Scientist serves as the organisation’s President and Chief Executive Officer.
Its activities are organised through three scientific sectors:
- Nature and Technologies: Natural sciences, mathematics, engineering and technology
- Health: Biomedical, clinical, population health and healthcare research
- Society and Culture: Social sciences, humanities, arts, literature and research-creation
Scientific directors, advisory committees and peer-review panels support funding decisions and program development.
Funding and Grants
The FRQ receives public funding from the Government of Quebec and develops additional research partnerships with government departments, universities, nonprofit organisations and other funding agencies.
Financial support is distributed through competitive, merit-based assessment processes. Funding opportunities include:
- Master’s and doctoral scholarships
- Postdoctoral fellowships
- Research project grants
- Career awards for researchers
- Support for new university researchers
- Research team and network grants
- College research funding
- Research-creation support
- International and interprovincial collaborations
- Knowledge mobilization initiatives
- Research infrastructure and partnership funding
Eligibility, funding amounts and project duration vary by program. Applicants can search for current opportunities in the FRQ’s funding program directory.
Major Programs and Initiatives
Student and Postdoctoral Funding
The FRQ provides scholarships and fellowships to master’s, doctoral and postdoctoral researchers. These programs help develop highly qualified researchers across health, technology, natural sciences, humanities, social sciences and the arts.
Research Project and Team Grants
Funding supports individual researchers, collaborative teams and multidisciplinary projects. Programs encourage scientific excellence, innovative methods and partnerships among universities, colleges, public institutions and communities.
Health Research Networks
The FRQ funds thematic health research networks that connect researchers, healthcare professionals, patients and institutions. These networks address health priorities and seek to improve healthcare services and population health.
Research-Creation
Research-creation programs support university researchers and artists whose work combines creative practice with academic research. Relevant fields include visual arts, literature, design, music, theatre and digital media.
Science in Exile
The Science in Exile initiative supports students and researchers forced to relocate because of war, political instability or other major crises. Assistance may include scholarships, institutional placements, language training and professional networking.
Citizen and Participatory Science
Programs such as ENGAGE encourage cooperation between researchers and members of the public. These initiatives give citizens opportunities to participate in research and contribute to the scientific process.
Impact and Examples of Work Funded
The FRQ strengthens Quebec’s research ecosystem by funding thousands of students, researchers, teams and research institutions.
Supported work contributes to:
- Medical discoveries and improved healthcare
- Artificial intelligence and digital innovation
- Climate-change research and environmental protection
- Engineering and advanced technologies
- Social policy and community development
- Indigenous research and knowledge
- Arts, culture and research-creation
- Sustainable development
- Training and retaining qualified researchers in Quebec
- International scientific partnerships
In 2025, the FRQ introduced persistent Digital Object Identifiers for grants and scholarships awarded since 2019. This initiative improves the traceability, transparency and citation of publicly funded research.
Conclusion
The Fonds de recherche du Québec is a central institution supporting research, innovation and researcher training in Quebec. Through scholarships, fellowships, grants, research networks and partnerships, it advances knowledge across nature and technology, health, society and culture.
Its unified structure strengthens interdisciplinary collaboration and helps transform scientific knowledge into social, economic, cultural and health benefits for Quebec and the wider international community.
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