Grant and Funding Programs Offered by Foundation of the Order of Nurses of Quebec (FOIIQ)

The Foundation of the Order of Nurses of Quebec (FOIIQ) is the charitable arm of the provincial nursing regulator. Its mandate is to encourage university studies in nursing science and to support the professional development of nurses throughout Quebec by providing financial assistance. Through structured scholarship and grant programs, the foundation helps nurses acquire advanced competencies in clinical care, leadership, research and related fields.

The FOIIQ primarily supports individual nurses and nursing students. Its portfolio includes recurring annual scholarship programs at the undergraduate (1st cycle) and graduate (2nd cycle) levels, aimed at members beginning full-time university training in nursing science or related disciplines. It also manages named scholarship funds such as the Noëllette-Drouin and Joan Walker-Payette scholarships, which target specific profiles including students in the final year of a bachelor’s in nursing and internationally trained nurses obtaining a Quebec licence.

In addition to academic scholarships, past news items highlight that the foundation has awarded project-based grants and subventions (for example the “Pour mieux soigner” grant) to health institutions and initiatives that leverage nursing expertise to improve care for vulnerable populations, palliative care patients, newborns and other priority groups.

The foundation organizes calls for applications with clearly defined application periods, and it collaborates with the regional orders of the OIIQ for the administration of certain first-cycle scholarship programs. Each year, dozens of recipients from all regions of Quebec are selected, with public announcements and detailed lists of bursary holders. News releases reference significant annual totals in scholarships, demonstrating a sustained level of financial support to the profession.

The FOIIQ publishes annual reports that document its activities, the number and value of scholarships and grants awarded, and its financial situation. These reports, covering multiple fiscal years, reinforce the foundation’s accountability to donors, members of the OIIQ and the broader public. Funded activities are largely supported by voluntary donations from OIIQ members at registration and by contributions from corporate and institutional partners.

By focusing on academic progression and continuous professional development, the foundation contributes to maintaining a highly qualified nursing workforce across Quebec. The scholarships alleviate financial barriers for students and practicing nurses, while project grants help deploy innovative nursing-led interventions in clinical and community settings. Overall, the FOIIQ positions nursing expertise at the heart of quality care and health innovation in the province.