Clinical Research Scholars Program 2027–2028 (Canada)

The Clinical Research Scholars Program supports clinician-researchers in Québec by strengthening independent research careers in healthcare and health services. The programme provides career development support for Junior 1, Junior 2, and Senior researchers conducting health-related research while maintaining clinical practice responsibilities.

Overview of the Clinical Research Scholars Program

The Clinical Research Scholars Program is designed to support clinician-researchers who are contributing to the advancement of healthcare research and health services in Québec.

The programme helps researchers:

Build independent research careers.
Strengthen scientific leadership.
Develop national and international collaborations.
Mentor future researchers.
Improve Québec’s health and social services research ecosystem.

The programme supports researchers at different career stages, including:

Junior 1 researchers.
Junior 2 researchers.
Senior researchers.

Purpose of the Programme

The main objective of the programme is to develop and retain highly skilled clinician-researchers who can generate knowledge and improve healthcare practices.

The programme aims to:

Strengthen research capacity in Québec.
Support clinician-led innovation.
Encourage collaboration between healthcare and research institutions.
Improve health outcomes through evidence-based research.
Support mentorship and leadership development.

Research Areas Supported

Applications are accepted across five major health research areas.

Fundamental Health Research

This area supports research focused on:

Biological mechanisms of health and disease.
Basic medical sciences.
Discovery-based health research.

Clinical and Epidemiological Research

Projects may involve:

Human participants.
Health data analysis.
Disease prevention.
Clinical studies.
Population health research.

Public Health, Health Systems and Policy Research

This area includes research on:

Healthcare systems.
Public health interventions.
Health policies.
Healthcare delivery improvements.

Research on Behaviours, Living Environments and Social Influences on Health

Supported research may examine:

Health behaviours.
Social factors affecting health.
Community environments.
Health inequalities.

Health and Technology Research

Projects may focus on:

Biomedical technologies.
Digital health solutions.
Diagnostic tools.
Therapeutic technologies.
Medical imaging.
Monitoring systems.
Decision-support technologies.

Who Is Eligible?

The programme is intended for clinician-researchers who meet specific professional and research requirements.

Applicants must:

Hold a university-level professional doctoral degree in human health.
Be involved in clinical research or health-related research.
Maintain a balance between research and clinical practice.

Eligible professional degrees may include:

Doctor of Medicine (M.D.).
Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.).
Equivalent university-level health professional doctorates.

Research and Clinical Activity Requirements

Applicants must:

Dedicate at least 50% of professional activities to research.
Maintain at least 25% clinical activity.

Applicants must also have completed:

At least two consecutive years of additional research training.
At least 50% research involvement during each training year.

Institutional Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must:

Hold a valid Québec professional practice licence throughout the award period.
Meet Status 2 eligibility requirements under the FRQ Common General Rules.
Work for an administering institution within Québec’s Ministry of Health and Social Services network.

Applicants must also receive approval from:

Clinical director of the institution.
Research director of an FRQ-recognized institution.

University Appointment Requirement

Applicants must obtain:

Institutional approval through the required university portal.
A commitment from their affiliated university to appoint them to an academic position when the award begins.

Applicants must also comply with:

Québec Health Insurance Act requirements related to research scholarships.

Additional Eligibility Conditions

Applicants must:

Be domiciled in Québec.
Have working knowledge of Québec’s official language.
Conduct research connected to health sciences.
Work with a university body or eligible research institution.

Healthcare professionals who spend 75% or more of their working time on research are directed to apply through the separate Research Scholars Program.

Career Stage Eligibility

The programme supports researchers at three career levels.

Junior 1 Researchers

Eligible applicants:

Have 0–3 years of research experience.
May apply up to three times during the four-year eligibility period.

Junior 2 Researchers

Eligible applicants:

Have 4–7 years of research experience.
May apply up to two times during the four-year eligibility period.

Senior Researchers

Eligible applicants:

Have 8–11 years of research experience.
May apply up to two times during the four-year eligibility period.

How the Clinical Research Scholars Program Works

Step 1: Determine Career Stage

Applicants should identify whether they qualify as:

Junior 1.
Junior 2.
Senior researcher.

Eligibility depends on years of research experience.

Step 2: Develop a Research Proposal

Applicants should prepare a proposal aligned with one of the supported research areas.

The proposal should demonstrate:

Scientific importance.
Research impact.
Contribution to healthcare improvement.
Long-term research potential.

Step 3: Obtain Institutional Approvals

Applicants must secure:

Approval from clinical leadership.
Approval from research leadership.
University authorization.
Academic appointment commitment.

Step 4: Submit Application

Applicants must submit their application according to FRQ requirements and institutional procedures.

Research Impact Areas

Supported researchers are expected to contribute to:

Healthcare innovation.
Improved patient outcomes.
Better health policies.
Stronger research networks.
Training of future researchers.

Why This Programme Matters

Clinician-researchers play a critical role in connecting scientific discoveries with healthcare practice.

The programme helps:

Strengthen Québec’s health research system.
Encourage evidence-based healthcare improvements.
Develop scientific leaders.
Improve collaboration between universities, hospitals, and communities.

By supporting clinician-researchers, the programme helps transform research findings into practical healthcare solutions.

Ineligible Applicants

Certain applicants are not eligible for funding.

Individuals are not eligible if they:

Hold executive positions without FRQ authorization.
Serve as scientific directors of FRQ-funded research centres without approval.
Hold senior university administrative positions without written authorization.
Already receive a salary award with more than 12 months remaining at the start of the new award.

Application Tips

Applicants should:

Clearly define their research objectives.
Demonstrate clinical and research balance.
Highlight previous research achievements.
Explain potential healthcare impact.
Obtain institutional approvals early.
Ensure eligibility requirements are fully met.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

Applying under the wrong career stage.
Failing to meet research activity requirements.
Missing institutional approvals.
Submitting research outside supported fields.
Ignoring Québec licensing requirements.
Applying while holding an incompatible salary award.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the Clinical Research Scholars Program?

The programme supports clinician-researchers in Québec by strengthening their research careers in healthcare and health services.

Who can apply for this programme?

Clinician-researchers with a professional doctoral degree in human health who meet research, clinical, institutional, and Québec eligibility requirements can apply.

What research areas are supported?

The programme supports fundamental health research, clinical research, public health, behavioural health research, health systems research, and health technology research.

How much research activity is required?

Applicants must dedicate at least 50% of their professional activities to research while maintaining at least 25% clinical activity.

Can researchers with mostly research activities apply?

Researchers spending 75% or more of their working time on research should apply through the Research Scholars Program instead.

How many times can applicants apply?

Junior 1 researchers can apply up to three times, while Junior 2 and Senior researchers can apply up to two times during their eligibility periods.

Who is not eligible for the programme?

Individuals with certain executive or senior administrative roles, or those already holding certain salary awards, may be ineligible unless approved by FRQ.

Conclusion

The Clinical Research Scholars Program provides important support for Québec clinician-researchers who are building careers at the intersection of healthcare and scientific discovery.

By strengthening research independence, leadership, collaboration, and innovation, the programme contributes to a stronger health research system and improved healthcare outcomes across Québec.