DIALOGUE – Researcher Component - 2023-2024

1. BACKGROUND

For years, the Fonds de recherche du Québec (FRQ) have been promoting dialogue between science and society. They have supported a number of initiatives over the years, while others have been developed by the FRQ themselves, including the DIALOGUE program.

The DIALOGUE program at a glance:

• 70 science communication projects aimed at the general public* funded to date, including 45 student projects in collaboration with research groups funded by the FRQ. (Learn more about funded DIALOGUE projects);
• Support for students and researchers who want to engage in science communication;
• Recognition and a means to communicate their research for members of the scientific community, helping put them at the forefront in Québec and even internationally.

*Definition of “general public”

For the purposes of this grant program, the FRQ use the term “general public” to refer to citizens, individuals and families from different segments of the population (age groups, socio-economic backgrounds, ethnocultural origins, interests, etc.) who are interested in various questions and issues related to science, research and the scientific process.

Bridging the gap between science and society

As increasing numbers of Quebecers are showing greater interest in research and taking part in scientific activities, the scientific community is publicizing its work and the innovations that stem from it, while seeing the impact of its research on society. The bridges being built help to strengthen public confidence in science while raising the profile of Québec research.

2. OBJECTIVES

The Researchers component of this program aims to:

• Recognize the commitment of researchers from all sectors of research to science communication and dialogue activities with the general public;
• Support researchers who choose to use general public activities to promote their research or its resultant innovations;
• Foster dialogue with the general public and spark interest in science;

• Train and supervise students in science communication for participation in science communication activities with the general public.

This component therefore offers researchers, and the students they supervise, the opportunity to become involved in the public sphere and enrich the science-society dialogue through science communication projects. The general public, engaged by this dialogue, gains access to new knowledge and experiences the excitement of discovery and the impacts of research.

3. ELIGIBILITY

Researchers must meet the following criteria:

• Have one of the following statuses:

o   Status 1: university researcher;

o   Status 2: clinical university researcher;

o   Status 3: college researcher.

Not eligible:

• Projects that are directly linked to another source of funding, unless the support awarded under the DIALOGUE program would be used to achieve complementary objectives.

4. APPLICATION PROCESS

4.1   REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

The electronic forms are available in the FRQnet Electronic Portfolio at each stage of the application process under “Available competitions, Program: Dissemination grants”. To access the forms, you must select the Santé section (managing agency), regardless of the applicant’s research sector.

PRE-APPLICATION

The following documents are required:

1. The electronic form including a text of no more than four (4) pages containing:

• Summary description of the project and communication plan (max. two pages) in light of the objectives and evaluation criteria of this program. The communication plan should focus on promoting research work (process, results), research results, and innovations resulting from research, and not simply on promoting science;
• Summary description of the contribution of the students involved in the project (max. 1 page);
• Applicant’s motivation to undertake a science communication project aimed at the general public (max. 1 page).

2. The applicant’s FRQ Abridged CV (max. two pages), prepared using the presentation template, summarizing the following in this order:

1. Research sector representing your expertise for the proposed project: Natural science and engineering (FRQ-Nature et technologies), Health (FRQ-Santé), Social sciences and humanities or Arts and letters (FRQ-Société et culture);
2. Academic background (degrees) and work experience;
3. Professional and leadership experience;
4. Expertise and contributions relevant to the proposal.

COMPLETE APPLICATION

The committee members will not have access to your pre-application. The application must contain all the necessary information for committee members to make a full and informed assessment of the project. If you feel you need to repeat any points that were included in the pre-application, do not hesitate to do so.

The following documents are required:

1, The online form including a five-page detailed communication plan including the following:

• Detailed description of the project and communication plan including measurable objectives and specific methods to reach the general public and foster dialogue between science and society. The research topics or themes at the heart of the project should be clearly defined as well as the target audience (who, how, how many people will take part in the dialogue?); the dissemination strategy is expected to be innovative and ambitious, inciting dialogue between science and society. Dissemination exclusively through social media is likely to be considered insufficient by committee members;
• If the project is directly related to one or more science communication projects already receiving funding from another source, explain how it is complementary;
• A detailed description of at least one graduate student’s contribution to the project;
• A strategy to ensure the sustainability of the activities. Although, depending on the nature of the project, it may be difficult to implement such a strategy, applicants are required to include a few lines identifying possibles measures to this effect.

2. The applicant’s FRQ Abridged CV (max. two pages), prepared using the presentation template, summarizing the following in this order:

a.      Research sector representing your expertise for the proposed project: Natural science and engineering (FRQ-Nature et technologies), Health (FRQ-Santé), Social sciences and humanities or Arts and letters (FRQ-Société et culture);

b.      Academic background (degrees) and work experience;

c.       Professional and leadership experience;

d.      Expertise and contributions relevant to the proposal.

3. A detailed budget (see the eligible expense categories in Section 6).

The budget will be carefully analyzed by the committee. A budget devoted mainly to student salaries or the purchase of equipment could be viewed unfavourably. If necessary, the committee will make recommendations.

4. A letter of commitment from the communications and public relations department of the managing institution for the promotion of the project and its contents, in part or in full (max. one page). For the FRQ, it is important that the managing institution commits to supporting the proposed initiative and to promoting the resulting activities. As such, a personalized letter will be viewed more favourably by committee members than a generic letter.

5. A letter of support from a partner deemed essential for the implementation of the science communication action plan (publisher/distributor or other – only one letter allowed, max. 1 page).

IMPORTANT NOTE RELATED TO THE PROJECT

• Given the project’s potential for outreach not only in Québec but internationally, and the objective of disseminating scientific knowledge to a wide audience, the communication tools related to the project may be in a language other than French, provided that a French translation is provided (e.g., video subtitles).

4.2 IMPORTANT NOTES RELATED TO SUBMITTING APPLICATIONS

• The approval of the managing institution is required before the pre-application and complete application can be forwarded to the FRQ.
• The deadlines fixed by your institution for approval are usually earlier than those specified in the program rules. Contact the appropriate people at your institution to find out the internal deadlines as soon as you start preparing your application.
• All required documents must be included with the pre-application and application for them to be considered eligible. Documents that are illegible or low-resolution and those that do not make it possible to determine eligibility will be rejected.
• No appendices or documents other than those required will be shared with the evaluation committee. Applications cannot be updated after the competition deadline.

5. EVALUATION

5.1 EVALUATION COMMITTEE

A mixed committee made up of researchers and science communication specialists will evaluate the applications received. Given the diverse profiles of evaluation committee members involved in this program, applicants are encouraged, in the documents submitted for evaluation, to present their project in such a way as to be easily understood.

To be recommended for funding, the pre-application must be selected by the evaluation committee and the application must obtain a minimum overall score of 70 %.

5.2 EVALUATION CRITERIA

PRE-APPLICATION

In line with the program’s objectives, pre-applications will be assessed according to the following criteria:

• Potential for dialogue with general public:

o   Approaches or strategy(ies) described;

o   Applicant’s skills and interest in engaging in communication and dialogue activities with the general public.

• Project that focuses on promoting research work (process, results), research results, or innovation resulting from research (and not only promoting science):

o   Scope of the project in the public sphere;

• Potential for training a new generation of science communicators.

APPLICATION

In line with the program’s objectives, applications will be assessed according to the following criteria:

Science communication action plan for the general public – 50 points

• Suitability:

o   Relevance of the project with regard to dialogue with the general public and the promotion of research;

o   Original and ambitious nature of the science communication action plan to encourage dialogue between science and society;

o   Quality of the proposed strategies: clear identification of the target audience(s), objectives, number of people potentially reached, and the means used.

• Feasibility:

o   Realism of the project and timeframe in relation to the period covered by the funding;

o   Capacity to implement the proposed action plan.

Training of students in science communication – 25 points

• Diversity and quality of planned student involvement, beyond what is provided in study programs.

Anticipated impacts – 15 points

• Scope of the project in the public sphere, particularly with regard to the approaches or strategy(ies) for ensuring the dissemination and discoverability of the activities and content produced;
• Magnitude of the anticipated impact of the activities;
• Demonstration that the project would not have gone ahead without the funding provided under this program, or that it goes beyond existing or established communication activities;
• Sustainability of the communication activities.

Skills and interest – 10 points

• Applicant’s experience and interest in science communication (e.g., public lectures, interviews, blog articles, online videos, science communication training, etc.);
• Quality of scientific achievements and research activities, peer recognition and outreach (transfer activities, conferences, publications, grants and awards, etc.).

6. DESCRIPTION AND NATURE OF THE GRANT

6.1 Nature of the grant

• Successful projects will receive a maximum of $40,000 for a maximum period of 18 months. The grant is not renewable.
• A minimum of nine projects will be selected under this competition drawn equally from the three research sectors covered by the FRQ, if possible.
• For each grant awarded, between $5,000 and $7,500 over the 18-month period must be paid to a student to participate in the implementation of the action plan. A student may not apply to the “DIALOGUE – Student Component” program or the “Sustainable Development Goals” program while they are being paid under the present program.
• The grant must be used to finance expenses that are directly related to the implementation of the project.

6.2 Eligible expense categories 

Dissemination and knowledge transfer costs

• Costs of setting up, maintaining and promoting a digital platform (website, blog, YouTube channel, etc.).
• Costs related to the production and dissemination of videos (filming, editing, materials, etc.).
• Costs related to the organization and promotion of science communication events or activities.
• Costs related to the production and promotion of popularized content (including social media advertising, partnerships with influencers, etc.).
• Costs related to the printing of promotional material.

Student support – scholarships and supplements

• Scholarships or scholarship supplements for college, undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral students and postdoctoral fellows to participate in the implementation of the action plan (mandatory – between $5,000 and $7,500).

Student support – remuneration

• Remuneration for college, undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral students and postdoctoral fellows to participate in the implementation of the action plan.

Note: While the FRQ supports the remuneration of students, this should be done sparingly. It is suggested that qualified service providers also be used to ensure a high level of professionalism for funded activities.

Professional fees and compensation

• Science communication resource persons or service providers essential to the project.

Travel and subsistence costs

Travel expenses of the researcher or invited guests essential to the project (maximum $2,250).

Other types of eligible expenses

• Science communication training (maximum $1,000 for the duration of the grant).

7. REPORTING

• Successful applicants will be required to participate in a follow-up meeting with all grant holders under this program.
• This meeting should take place within three to six months of the announcement of the results.
• An activity report, the format of which will be communicated in due course, must be submitted to the FRQ at the end of the grant period, as set out in the CGR. A final payment, equivalent to 10% of the grant, will be released once the final activity report has been submitted.

8. ANNOUNCEMENT OF RESULTS

The results will be published in February 2024.

For the conditions regarding the announcement of and acceptance of funding, please refer to Section 5 of the CGR.