Doctoral Research Scholarship ? Regular and Re-Entering Research (Canada)

Deadline: 29-Sep-26

The Fonds de recherche du Québec (FRQ) Doctoral Research Scholarship provides financial support to students undertaking or continuing doctoral research in a wide range of academic fields. The programme aims to develop the next generation of researchers by supporting high-quality PhD studies in natural sciences, health, social sciences, humanities, arts, letters, mathematics, and engineering. The scholarship is available to students beginning doctoral studies as well as eligible students returning to research after a significant interruption. Dedicated components are available for these different applicant groups.

About the FRQ Doctoral Research Scholarship

The Doctoral Research Scholarship is part of the Fonds de recherche du Québec’s efforts to strengthen research capacity and support the development of future researchers. The programme provides financial assistance to doctoral students conducting research in fields including: - Natural sciences. - Mathematics and engineering. - Health. - Humanities. - Social sciences. - Arts. - Letters. By supporting doctoral research, the scholarship aims to encourage research excellence and help develop new generations of researchers in Quebec and beyond. How Much Funding Is Available? The FRQ Doctoral Research Scholarship provides: - $25,000 per year. - Maximum total funding of $100,000. - Support for up to 12 academic terms. - A supplement of up to $1,500 per year may be available to awardees pursuing their studies outside Quebec. The scholarship therefore provides substantial multi-year support for eligible doctoral research. Who Can Apply? The programme is intended for students undertaking or continuing doctoral research in eligible academic fields.

Applicants may include:

- Students beginning doctoral studies. - Students already pursuing doctoral research. - Eligible students returning to research after a significant break. Applicants must meet the programme’s citizenship, residency, enrolment, and doctoral-study requirements. Eligible Research Fields The scholarship supports doctoral research across a broad range of disciplines.

Eligible areas include:

- Natural sciences. - Mathematics. - Engineering. - Health sciences. - Humanities. - Social sciences. - Arts. - Letters. Applicants should ensure that their doctoral research falls within an eligible research field under the FRQ programme. Support for Students Returning to Research The programme includes a component for students who are re-entering research after a significant break. This provides an opportunity for eligible researchers who have experienced an extended interruption in their research pathway to receive doctoral funding and continue developing their research careers. Supplement for Studies Outside Quebec Awardees who pursue their doctoral studies outside Quebec may be eligible for a supplement of up to $1,500 per year. This additional support can help eligible scholarship recipients who undertake their research or doctoral studies outside the province while meeting the programme’s requirements.

Partnership Scholarships

In addition to the regular doctoral scholarship, FRQ offers partnership scholarship opportunities in collaboration with external organisations and government bodies. These partnerships can provide higher annual funding amounts for doctoral research focused on specific health and policy priorities.

Partner organisations and areas mentioned include

- Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux. - Pediatric Research Foundation. - Parkinson Canada. - Alzheimer Society of Canada. - Research related to pediatric diseases. - Parkinson’s disease research. - Alzheimer’s disease research. - Multiple sclerosis research. - Cannabis legalization issues. The availability and value of partnership scholarships may depend on the applicant’s research topic and the relevant partnership. Citizenship and Residency Requirements

Applicants generally must be:

- Canadian citizens; or - Permanent residents of Canada. Applicants must also hold a valid Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ) card at the competition deadline, or provide proof that they have applied for or renewed the card. Alternative Eligibility for Applicants Without the Standard Status Applicants who do not meet the citizenship or RAMQ conditions may still be able to apply if they are admitted to a Quebec university and will carry out their studies in Quebec. Applicants should carefully review the applicable eligibility conditions to determine whether this alternative pathway applies to them. Programs That Are Not Eligible The Doctoral Research Scholarship is not generally available for certain types of doctoral programmes.

These include:

- Professional doctoral programmes. - Part-time doctoral programmes. - Cotutelle programmes with universities outside Quebec, unless specific eligibility requirements are met. Applicants should confirm that their doctoral programme meets the FRQ’s requirements before applying. Restriction on Other Funding Applicants must not have received equivalent funding from another Canadian or Quebec funding agency for the same doctoral programme. This restriction is intended to prevent duplicate funding for the same doctoral studies. Applicants who already hold other research funding should therefore verify whether it is considered equivalent before submitting an application. Doctoral Research Support The scholarship is designed to support students undertaking or continuing research at the doctoral level. Financial support can help doctoral researchers dedicate time and resources to their research while progressing toward completion of their PhD. The multi-year structure of the scholarship can also provide greater financial stability throughout eligible doctoral research periods. How to Prepare a Strong Application Applicants should clearly demonstrate the academic and research value of their proposed doctoral work. A strong application should clearly communicate: - The doc