RFPs: Research Support for New Academics Program (Canada)

The Research Support for New Academics Program supports early-career university researchers in natural sciences, mathematics, and engineering by helping them establish independent research programs and strengthen their national and international competitiveness. The programme provides up to CAD 80,000 over two years, with additional equipment funding available for eligible scientific research projects.

Overview of the Research Support for New Academics Program

The Research Support for New Academics Program is designed to support researchers who are beginning their academic careers in the fields of:

• Natural sciences.
• Mathematics.
• Engineering.

The programme helps newly appointed university professors develop independent research activities, build research capacity, and establish themselves within the academic research community.

The initiative supports the development of a new generation of researchers who can contribute to:

• University research excellence.
• Scientific innovation.
• Knowledge transfer.
• Student research training.
• National and international research competitiveness.

Purpose of the Program

The main objective of the programme is to provide early-career academics with the resources needed to successfully transition into independent researchers.

The programme aims to:

• Support new researchers at the beginning of their academic careers.
• Help researchers establish independent research directions.
• Strengthen Québec’s research ecosystem.
• Encourage innovative scientific research.
• Promote knowledge mobilization.
• Encourage students to participate in research activities.

Research Areas Supported

The programme supports research projects within the Nature et technologies sector.

Eligible fields include:

Natural Sciences

Examples may include:

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

Mathematics

Supported research may include:

• Pure mathematics.
• Applied mathematics.
• Mathematical modelling.
• Computational mathematics.

Engineering

Supported areas may include:

• Engineering sciences.
• Technology development.
• Applied research.
• Innovation-focused engineering projects.

Projects outside the vision and research areas of the Nature et technologies sector are not eligible.

Goals of the Program

Establishing Independent Researchers

The programme helps new academics:

• Develop their own research programs.
• Create original research directions.
• Build research teams.
• Compete for future national and international funding.

Strengthening Research Capacity

Funding helps researchers:

• Generate new scientific knowledge.
• Develop innovative approaches.
• Expand research infrastructure.

Promoting Knowledge Mobilization

The programme encourages researchers to share scientific and technological knowledge with:

• Industry.
• Public organizations.
• Communities.
• General audiences.

Encouraging Student Research Participation

Supported researchers can inspire students to engage in:

• Undergraduate research.
• Graduate research.
• Postdoctoral training.

Funding Amount and Duration

The grant provides financial support for a maximum period of two years.

Base Research Funding

Funding depends on the location of the researcher’s institution.

Researchers in Montréal and Québec Metropolitan Communities

Eligible researchers may receive:

Up to CAD 30,000 per year

Researchers Outside Montréal and Québec Metropolitan Communities

Researchers may receive:

Up to CAD 40,000 per year

This includes:

• Institutions located outside metropolitan communities.
• Regional institutions whose managing institution is located in a metropolitan community.

Maximum Research Grant Duration

The funding period is:

Up to 2 years

Additional Scientific Equipment Funding

Researchers may request additional funding for scientific equipment.

Equipment Funding Amount

Additional support available:

Up to CAD 50,000 including taxes

Equipment Eligibility Requirements

Equipment funding applies when:

• Each individual equipment item costs CAD 7,001 or more.

Equipment funding decisions depend on:

• Quality of the research project.
• Justification of equipment needs.
• Available programme budget.

Who Is Eligible to Apply?

The programme is intended for newly appointed university researchers who meet specific academic and employment requirements.

Principal Investigator Requirements

The applicant must:

• Hold Status 1 according to the General Common Rules.
• Be a newly appointed university professor.
• Conduct research independently.
• Be able to supervise students or postdoctoral researchers.

Academic Position Requirement

The principal investigator must have held a regular university professor position for less than three years.

Eligible appointment period:

• Since September 2, 2023, or later.
• No later than September 2, 2027.

Previous equivalent positions held in:

• Québec.
• Other Canadian provinces.
• International institutions.

are included when calculating the three-year eligibility period.

Eligibility of Contract Professors

Contract professors may apply if they:

• Hold an annually renewable contract position at a Québec university.

OR

• Have received a confirmed offer for such a position.

The position must allow them to:

• Conduct independent research.
• Supervise undergraduate students.
• Supervise graduate students.
• Supervise postdoctoral fellows.

Doctoral Degree Requirement

Applicants must have:

• Obtained a doctorate or PhD.

OR

• Successfully defended their doctoral dissertation.

The doctoral requirement must be completed by:

September 2, 2026

Teaching Release Requirement

The applicant must receive a teaching release during the grant period.

Required teaching release:

Minimum 25%

The grant period:

April 2027 to March 31, 2029

The managing institution must confirm this requirement through an official letter.

How the Research Support for New Academics Program Works

Step 1: Confirm Eligibility

Applicants should verify:

• Academic position status.
• Doctoral completion date.
• Research field eligibility.
• Teaching release requirement.

Step 2: Develop a Research Project

Applicants should prepare a project that demonstrates:

• Scientific originality.
• Research importance.
• Long-term potential.
• Contribution to knowledge development.

Step 3: Prepare Budget Requirements

Applicants should identify:

• Research expenses.
• Equipment needs.
• Resource requirements.

Step 4: Obtain Institutional Confirmation

The managing university must provide confirmation of:

• Employment status.
• Teaching release.
• Institutional support.

Step 5: Submit Application

Applicants submit their proposal according to programme requirements and competition rules.

Step 6: Conduct Research Activities

Successful researchers use funding to:

• Establish research programs.
• Develop collaborations.
• Train students.
• Generate scientific outcomes.

Why This Program Matters

Early-career researchers often face challenges when building independent research programs.

This programme helps address these challenges by providing:

• Initial research funding.
• Support for scientific development.
• Opportunities to build research teams.
• Resources for innovation.

The programme strengthens the academic research environment by investing in future scientific leaders.

Application Requirements

Applicants should prepare:

Research Proposal

The proposal should explain:

• Research objectives.
• Scientific contribution.
• Methodology.
• Expected outcomes.

Research Development Plan

Applicants should describe:

• Future research direction.
• Collaboration opportunities.
• Knowledge-sharing activities.

Equipment Justification

Applicants requesting equipment funding should provide:

• Detailed equipment description.
• Cost information.
• Explanation of research necessity.

Institutional Documentation

The institution must provide:

• Confirmation of academic position.
• Teaching release confirmation.
• Required administrative documents.

Restrictions and Ineligibility Conditions

Applicants are not eligible if:

• Their project falls outside the Nature et technologies sector.
• They are applying simultaneously for certain listed new academic support programmes.
• They have previously received or currently receive funding from specified new academic support programmes.

These restrictions apply across:

• Nature et technologies sector.
• Société et culture sector.
• Santé sector.

Application Limits

Applicants must follow specific submission limits.

Maximum Applications

During their eligibility period, applicants may submit:

A maximum of two funding applications

Continuum Applications

Applicants may participate in:

Only one Continuum application per competition year

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applying With an Ineligible Research Topic

Applicants should ensure their project aligns with:

• Natural sciences.
• Mathematics.
• Engineering.

Missing Doctoral Completion Requirements

Applicants must complete their doctoral requirements before:

• September 2, 2026.

Not Providing Teaching Release Confirmation

Applicants must ensure their institution provides the required confirmation letter.

Weak Research Independence Plan

Applications should clearly show:

• Independent research direction.
• Long-term scientific goals.

Poor Equipment Justification

Equipment requests should demonstrate:

• Research necessity.
• Scientific value.
• Appropriate cost planning.

Benefits of the Program

Successful researchers receive:

• Up to CAD 80,000 in research funding over two years.
• Additional equipment support up to CAD 50,000.
• Opportunity to establish independent research programmes.
• Support for student training.
• Improved competitiveness for future grants.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the Research Support for New Academics Program?

It is a funding programme supporting newly appointed university researchers in natural sciences, mathematics, and engineering to establish independent research careers.

How much funding can researchers receive?

Researchers may receive up to CAD 30,000 or CAD 40,000 per year depending on their institution’s location, for a maximum of two years.

Is additional equipment funding available?

Yes. Researchers may request up to CAD 50,000 including taxes for eligible scientific equipment costing CAD 7,001 or more per item.

Who can apply for this programme?

New university professors who meet academic, employment, and research eligibility requirements can apply.

What doctoral requirement must applicants meet?

Applicants must have obtained their doctorate or successfully defended their doctoral dissertation by September 2, 2026.

Are all research fields eligible?

No. Projects must fall within the Nature et technologies sector, including natural sciences, mathematics, and engineering.

Can researchers apply for multiple new academic support programmes?

No. Applicants cannot simultaneously apply for or hold funding from certain listed new academic support programmes.

Conclusion

The Research Support for New Academics Program provides essential early-stage funding for researchers beginning independent academic careers in natural sciences, mathematics, and engineering.

By supporting innovative research projects, scientific knowledge transfer, equipment acquisition, and student engagement, the programme helps build the next generation of research leaders and strengthens Québec’s long-term research capacity.