NOVA – FRQ – NSERC Program for Junior Researchers (Canada)

The NOVA – FRQ – NSERC Program for Junior Researchers supports early-career researchers in Quebec who collaborate with researchers from other Canadian provinces and territories in natural sciences, mathematics, and engineering. The programme provides up to CAD 75,000 per year for three years, with additional equipment funding available to strengthen research capacity and national collaboration.

Overview of the NOVA – FRQ – NSERC Program for Junior Researchers

The NOVA – FRQ – NSERC Program for Junior Researchers is a research funding initiative designed to support early-career researchers based in Quebec.

The programme encourages collaboration between:

• Junior researchers in Quebec.
• Researchers from other Canadian provinces and territories.
• Universities and eligible research institutions across Canada.

The initiative focuses on strengthening research networks, increasing scientific competitiveness, and supporting projects that generate knowledge with social, environmental, technological, economic, or policy impacts.

Purpose of the Program

The main goal of the NOVA – FRQ – NSERC Program is to expand the research collaboration capacity of Quebec’s emerging researchers while connecting them with national research communities.

The programme aims to:

• Strengthen collaboration between Quebec researchers and researchers across Canada.
• Support innovative research projects.
• Improve national and international research competitiveness.
• Encourage knowledge creation and application.
• Promote research outcomes that benefit society.
• Develop knowledge mobilization strategies across Quebec and Canada.

Research Fields Supported

The programme supports research projects in the following areas:

Natural Sciences

Examples may include:

• Biology.
• Chemistry.
• Physics.
• Environmental sciences.
• Earth sciences.

Mathematics

Supported research may include:

• Applied mathematics.
• Mathematical modelling.
• Computational research.
• Theoretical mathematics.

Engineering

Supported areas may include:

• Engineering sciences.
• Technology development.
• Innovation research.
• Applied engineering solutions.

Projects must align with the research areas supported by the programme.

Key Objectives of the Programme

Building Research Collaboration Capacity

The programme helps junior researchers develop stronger research networks by supporting partnerships between:

• Quebec universities.
• Canadian universities.
• Eligible colleges and research institutions.

Strengthening Research Competitiveness

The initiative helps researchers improve their ability to compete for:

• National research funding.
• International research opportunities.
• Large-scale collaborations.

Creating New Knowledge and Applications

Funded projects should generate knowledge or applications that may contribute to:

• Social improvements.
• Environmental solutions.
• Technological advancement.
• Economic development.
• Public policy development.

Supporting Knowledge Mobilization

Researchers are encouraged to create plans for sharing research results with:

• Academic communities.
• Industry partners.
• Government stakeholders.
• Public audiences.

Funding Information

The NOVA – FRQ – NSERC Program provides multi-year research support.

Grant Duration

Maximum funding period:

3 years

Annual Funding Amount

Researchers may receive:

Up to CAD 75,000 per year

Funding includes:

• CAD 45,000 per year from NSERC
• CAD 30,000 per year from FRQ

Total Maximum Research Funding

Over three years, researchers may receive:

Up to CAD 225,000

Indirect Research Costs

Indirect research costs are provided on the FRQ contribution.

The programme provides:

• 27% indirect research costs.
• Paid to the managing institution.
• Added to the FRQ portion of funding.

Scientific Equipment Funding

Researchers may request additional support for scientific equipment.

Maximum Equipment Funding

Up to:

CAD 50,000 including taxes

Equipment Eligibility Requirement

Each equipment item must have:

• A minimum unit cost of CAD 7,001.

Equipment funding decisions depend on:

• Research project quality.
• Identified scientific needs.
• Available programme budget.

Who Is Eligible to Apply?

The programme is designed for early-career researchers leading collaborative research projects.

The research team must include:

• A Quebec-based early-career principal investigator.
• At least one Quebec co-investigator.
• At least one co-investigator from another Canadian province or territory outside Quebec.

Team expertise must be:

• Complementary.
• Relevant.
• Appropriate for completing the proposed research project.

Principal Investigator Eligibility Requirements

The principal investigator must meet specific academic and employment requirements.

Applicants must:

• Be a researcher at a Quebec university.
• Hold Status 1 under definition i) of the FRQ Common General Rules.
• Hold a regular professor position.

Early-Career Researcher Requirement

The principal investigator must have:

• More than 3 years.
• Fewer than 6 years.

of experience in a regular professor position.

Eligible appointment period:

September 2, 2020 to September 1, 2023

Ineligible Principal Investigators

The following researchers cannot serve as principal investigators:

• Retired researchers.
• Researchers holding Status 1 under definition ii) of the FRQ Common General Rules.

However, these researchers may participate as co-investigators.

Eligibility Extensions for Career Interruptions

Researchers who experienced career interruptions or delays may request an extension of the eligibility period.

Eligible reasons may include:

• Parental leave.
• Disability.
• Major family responsibilities.
• Bereavement.
• Health-related circumstances.

Periods when applicants were not employed as university professors or researchers are excluded from the calculation of research experience.

Co-Investigator Requirements

The research team must include qualified co-investigators from Quebec and other Canadian regions.

Quebec Co-Investigators

At least one Quebec co-investigator must:

• Hold Status 1, 2, or 3 under FRQ Common General Rules.
• Be affiliated with a Quebec university or college.

Co-Investigators Outside Quebec

Researchers from other Canadian provinces and territories must:

• Be affiliated with a university or college eligible under NSERC rules.

College-Based Co-Investigators Outside Quebec

College researchers outside Quebec must:

• Hold a position at an eligible Canadian college.

OR

• Have received a firm employment offer.

The position must allow them to:

• Conduct independent research.
• Supervise students.

How the NOVA – FRQ – NSERC Program Works

Step 1: Build a Collaborative Research Team

Applicants create a team including:

• Quebec junior principal investigator.
• Quebec co-investigator.
• Canadian co-investigator outside Quebec.

Step 2: Develop a Research Proposal

The proposal should explain:

• Research objectives.
• Scientific importance.
• Collaboration strategy.
• Expected impacts.

Step 3: Create a Knowledge Mobilization Plan

Applicants should explain how research outcomes will be shared with:

• Researchers.
• Stakeholders.
• Communities.
• Decision-makers.

Step 4: Prepare Budget and Equipment Requests

Applicants should identify:

• Research costs.
• Equipment needs.
• Institutional requirements.

Step 5: Submit Application

Applications must follow FRQ and NSERC requirements and eligibility rules.

Step 6: Conduct Collaborative Research

Successful researchers implement projects involving:

• Joint research activities.
• Knowledge exchange.
• Scientific collaboration.

Why the NOVA Program Matters

Early-career researchers often need support to establish strong research networks and compete nationally.

The programme helps by:

• Connecting researchers across Canada.
• Supporting innovative research.
• Building long-term partnerships.
• Strengthening Canada’s research ecosystem.

Collaborative research can accelerate scientific discoveries and create solutions to major societal challenges.

Benefits of the Program

Successful applicants receive:

• Up to CAD 225,000 over three years.
• National research collaboration opportunities.
• Support for scientific equipment.
• Stronger research networks.
• Increased competitiveness for future funding.

Application Preparation Tips

Build a Strong Research Partnership

Applicants should select collaborators with:

• Complementary expertise.
• Relevant research experience.
• Strong contribution to project goals.

Clearly Explain Research Impact

Applications should describe:

• Scientific contribution.
• Social benefits.
• Environmental relevance.
• Economic or policy impacts.

Prepare a Realistic Budget

Applicants should justify:

• Research expenses.
• Equipment purchases.
• Resource requirements.

Develop a Strong Knowledge Sharing Strategy

Applicants should explain how results will reach:

• Academic audiences.
• Industry.
• Policymakers.
• Communities.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Missing Team Composition Requirements

Applicants must include:

• Quebec principal investigator.
• Quebec co-investigator.
• Non-Quebec Canadian co-investigator.

Applying Outside the Eligibility Period

Researchers should verify their professor appointment dates.

Weak Collaboration Justification

Applications should clearly explain why each team member is necessary.

Poor Knowledge Mobilization Planning

Applicants should include clear strategies for sharing research outcomes.

Ignoring Participation Limits

Researchers must follow limits on:

• Principal investigator applications.
• Co-investigator participation.

Participation Limits

Researchers must follow competition participation rules.

Principal Investigator Limit

Researchers may submit:

• One application as principal investigator per Continuum competition year.

This applies regardless of the programme.

Co-Investigator Limit

Researchers may participate in:

• Maximum two applications as co-investigator during the same competition year.

Limits may also apply based on current Continuum awards held.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the NOVA – FRQ – NSERC Program for Junior Researchers?

It is a funding programme supporting early-career Quebec researchers collaborating with researchers from other Canadian provinces and territories.

How much funding is available?

The programme provides up to CAD 75,000 per year for three years, plus possible equipment funding.

Which research fields are supported?

The programme supports natural sciences, mathematics, and engineering research.

Who can apply as principal investigator?

A Quebec-based early-career university researcher with the required FRQ Status 1 eligibility and professor experience between three and six years can apply.

Can researchers outside Quebec apply as principal investigators?

No. The principal investigator must be a researcher at a Quebec university.

Can equipment funding be requested?

Yes. Applicants may request up to CAD 50,000 for eligible scientific equipment costing at least CAD 7,001 per item.

How many applications can researchers submit?

Researchers may submit one application as principal investigator per Continuum competition year and participate in up to two applications as co-investigators.

Conclusion

The NOVA – FRQ – NSERC Program for Junior Researchers provides valuable support for emerging researchers in Quebec by encouraging national collaboration, scientific innovation, and knowledge mobilization.

Through funding of up to CAD 225,000 over three years, the programme helps early-career researchers build strong research networks, develop impactful projects, and contribute to Canada’s scientific advancement.