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Quebec Research Fund — Society and Culture Sector (FRQSC)
Last Update: March 4, 2026
Quebec, Canada
Supports research, knowledge dissemination, and student training in Quebec
Grant and Funding
Overview
The Quebec Research Fund — Society and Culture Sector (FRQSC) provides financial support for research, knowledge dissemination, and researcher training in Quebec’s social sciences, humanities, arts, and literature. The maximum funding amount and eligible activities vary by program, covering research projects, training scholarships, and career development awards.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Reduce the ecological footprint
- Develop employee skills
Eligible Funding
- No Condition
Timeline
- Open continuously
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Educational services
- Health care and social assistance
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
Location
- Quebec
Legal structures
- Non-profit
- Public or Parapublic institution
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Canadians
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Culture and Arts
- Higher Education
- Research
- Diversity and Inclusion
Target groups
- Artists / creatives
- Nonprofits / charities
- Academia / students
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- Provincial
Activities funded
- Research projects in the social sciences, humanities, arts, and literature that aim to advance public knowledge.
- Initiatives involving the training of students or postdoctoral researchers through participation in research activities.
- Collaborative research efforts between academic institutions and other sectors to address interdisciplinary or intersectoral topics.
- Programs focused on the dissemination and transfer of research knowledge to broader society.
- Development of structured research groups or networks to foster expertise and capacity building in relevant fields.
Eligibility
- The applicant organization must be a recognized managing institution located in Quebec, such as a university, college, or an accredited public research or health institution.
- The principal applicant (project lead) must be employed by the managing institution at the time of application and maintain continuous employment for the duration of the grant.
- The applicant institution and project team must comply with the specific eligibility requirements and statuses set out in the applicable program rules for the Quebec Research Fund — Society and Culture Sector (FRQSC).
- The project must demonstrate relevance to research and knowledge advancement in the society and culture sector.
Who is eligible?
- Universities and post-secondary educational institutions in Quebec
- College-level educational institutions recognized by the FRQ in Quebec
- Governmental research institutions in Quebec recognized by the FRQ
Who is not eligible
- Private companies and organizations cannot receive direct funding for private research, whether fundamental or applied.
- Organizations that are not recognized as "managing institutions" by the Fonds de recherche du Québec are not eligible.
- Companies outside of Quebec that do not operate or have a presence in Quebec are not eligible.
Eligible expenses
- Salaries and benefits for research personnel such as research professionals, coordinators, technicians, clerical staff, and research assistants (excluding regular university/college staff salaries).
- Stipends, salary support, and supplements for college, undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral students engaged in research.
- Honoraria for professional artists, consultants, invited speakers, and external expert services directly linked to research activities.
- Fees for professional development and training for research staff, as required for project delivery.
- Compensation and approved participation fees for research participants, as authorized by an ethics committee.
- Travel and accommodation expenses for research activities, conferences, workshops, fieldwork, and related research travel (adhering to institutional rates).
- Insurance, visa, and entry costs for research staff when required for project implementation.
- Purchase or rental of equipment, materials, research supplies, and minor assets directly needed for research.
- Maintenance, transport, and repair of research equipment.
- Purchase or access to databases, books, and resources necessary for research activities.
- Monthly costs for electronic devices and telecommunications strictly needed for research (e.g., internet, mobile devices, videoconferencing).
- Costs related to the establishment and maintenance of project-specific websites.
- Knowledge transfer and dissemination activities such as organizing seminars, workshops, public events, translation, or publication fees for open access journals.
- Direct costs for sustainable waste disposal and health and safety equipment for field or laboratory research.
- Security-related expenses when conducting off-site or field research.
Eligible geographic areas
- Quebec
Selection criteria
- The applications are evaluated according to the assessment criteria specified in the program rules.
- The suitability of the budget forecasts with the nature of the proposed scientific activities is taken into account.
- The files are ranked by merit by the evaluation committee.
How to apply
1
Identify program and check eligibility
- Identify relevant program within the Quebec Research Fund (FRQ) offerings
- Review both Common General Rules and individual program rules
- Confirm eligibility based on citizenship, residency, and professional or student status
2
Prepare application and documents
- Prepare the application using the appropriate electronic form in the FRQnet Electronic Portfolio
- Gather all supporting documents required by the specific program rules
- Ensure completeness and compliance with deadlines and requirements
3
Submit application
- Submit the completed application and all mandatory documents in the FRQnet system before the program's deadline
- If required, have the application approved by the managing institution through the FRQnet Institution Portal
4
Await results and decision
- Receive confirmation of receipt, followed by an eligibility notice via FRQnet or email
- Wait for the outcome of the evaluation and funding decision by the FRQ
5
Accept or decline offer
- If awarded funding, formally accept or decline the grant offer within 30 calendar days via FRQnet
- If not accepted within the stipulated time, the offer is considered declined
Additional information
- Any changes made to the Common General Rules must be reviewed by funding holders and managing institutions, with adjustments made to grant management as required.
- Publication of results, including names and affiliated institutions of funded individuals, occurs on the FRQ website.
- The FRQ emphasizes equity, diversity, and inclusion within its research ecosystem and maintains a strategy to promote these values.
- Confidentiality of personal and confidential information is strictly protected and handled in accordance with Quebec's access and privacy laws.
