CALQ — Exploration and Research

Who is eligible?

• Professional artists in disciplines supported by CALQ
• Independent curators in visual arts, arts and crafts, architectural research, digital arts, and film and video art

Who is not eligible

• Corporations and partnerships (except for personal projects by their shareholders that are not part of the company’s activities).
• Non-profit organizations (except for personal projects by employees that are not part of the organization’s activities).
• Individuals employed full-time as curators in arts organizations (for curator applications).

Eligible expenses

• Remuneration for the applicant.
• Research and experimentation expenses.
• Fees for participating artists and partners (excluding the applicant).
• Rental of studio or workshop space, purchase of supplies, and equipment rental.
• Expenses for research and exploration residencies.
• Costs for photos and rehearsal videos documenting the process.
• Travel and living expenses justified by the project (maximum $200 per day in Canada and outside Canada).
• Visa fees.
• Purchase of specialized equipment if necessary for the project and cannot be rented, or the purchase price is lower than the rental cost (with supporting documentation).

Eligible geographic areas

• Quebec

• Quality of artistic work (30%).
• Interest and relevance of the project, including its innovative aspects and potential impact on the evolution of the applicant’s work (70%).
• Appropriateness of remuneration for the project team (rated as Satisfactory or Non satisfactory).
• Feasibility of the work plan (rated as Satisfactory or Non satisfactory).
• Feasibility of the project budget (rated as Satisfactory or Non satisfactory).

• Step 1: Review Program Guidelines
  • Carefully read the CALQ – Exploration and Research program details to ensure your project aligns with eligible activities and funding priorities.
  • Consult the official CALQ website for full program information.
  • Contact the program responsible by email or phone if you have questions or require clarifications.
• Step 2: Prepare Application Documents
  • Complete all required sections of the application form as specified by CALQ.
  • Prepare a project description outlining objectives, activities, and anticipated outcomes.
  • Gather supporting documents as required by the application form.
  • Complete any relevant sections for accessibility support and direct deposit registration, if applicable.
• Step 3: Register and Access Application Portal
  • Register for Mon Dossier CALQ to access the online application platform.
• Step 4: Submit Application
  • Submit your application exclusively online through Mon Dossier CALQ, or if unavailable, send your file via WeTransfer following instructions provided on the application form.
  • Ensure your application is submitted at least four weeks before the project start date.
• Step 5: Application Receipt and Tracking
  • Receive an acknowledgment of receipt by email from CALQ.
  • Track the progress of your application via your Mon Dossier CALQ online profile.
• Step 6: Await Evaluation and Decision
  • Your application will be evaluated by program staff for eligibility and then by a jury according to the published criteria.
  • Expect a decision approximately four months after submission.
• Step 7: Post-Decision Steps
  • If awarded, review the grant agreement letter and the terms and conditions for use of the grant.
  • If declined, you will be notified in writing. Upon request, you may receive the general ratings for your project.
  • After project completion, submit a Grant Use Report as required by CALQ.

• Applications are first reviewed by CALQ staff for eligibility and program fit.
• Eligible applications are then assessed by a jury and, when necessary, by assessors.
• The jury makes recommendations to the board of directors, which ratifies the decisions.
• Applicants are informed of the decision around four months after submission.
• If approved, the confirmation letter includes the grant terms and conditions.

• Applications must be submitted at least four weeks before the intended project start date to be eligible.
• A maximum of five applications can be submitted and five grants can be received per CALQ fiscal year (April 1st to March 31st).
• No more than three projects may be considered, supported or under way at the same time per applicant.
• All application documents and processes are confidential, in line with Quebec's access to information laws.