DIALOGUE – Student 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 Student component of this program aims to:

• Recognize the commitment of university students from all sectors of research to science communication and dialogue activities with the general public;
• Encourage student researchers to hold science communication activities with the greater public;
• Enable university students to showcase their research work and its impacts.

The involvement of students in the public sphere contributes to the emergence of a generation of young researchers who are familiar with science communication and aware of the importance of science-society dialogue. The FRQ wish to support this growing community and the enthusiasm it generates among the general public.

3. ELIGIBILITY

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Be enrolled in a master’s, doctoral, postdoctoral or post-professional research training program;
• Attend a Québec educational institution, university-affiliated institution or research institution at the competition deadline;
• Be supervised by a researcher with status 1, 2 or 3 (identified in the “Supervisor” section of the FRQnet form) as defined in the CGR of the FRQ:

o   Status 1: university researcher;

o   Status 2: clinical university researcher;

o   Status 3: college researcher.

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

1. The electronic form including:

• A text of no more than three 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;

-Applicant’s motivation to undertake a science communication project aimed at the general public (max. 1 page).

• Identification of the researcher supervising the project in the “Supervisor” section. The supervisor will receive an email to complete and submit a consent form. This step must be completed before the pre-application deadline.

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

• 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);
• Academic background (degrees) and work experience;
• Research and communication experience (if applicable);
• Expertise and contributions relevant to the proposal submitted to the FRQ, if applicable.

3. The FRQ Abridged CV of the researcher (max. two pages) supervising the project, prepared using the presentation template.

APPLICATION

1. The online form including:

• A text of no more than four pages containing:

– 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.

–  Supervising researcher’s supervision plan.

• Identification of the researcher supervising the project in the “Supervisor” section. The supervisor will receive an email to complete and submit a consent form. This step must be completed before the application deadline.

2.  Official transcripts (see Important notes related to transcripts below)

3.  The applicant’s FRQ Abridged Student CV (max. two pages) prepared according to the presentation rules provided in the Toolbox at the bottom of the page, including the following:

• 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);
• Academic background (degrees) and work experience;
• Research and communication experience (if applicable);
• Expertise and contributions relevant to the proposal submitted to the FRQ.

4. A detailed budget (max. one page) (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.

5. A letter of support (max. one page) from the researcher who will supervise the applicant, outlining the support that will be provided.

6. The FRQ Abridged CV  of the researcher (max. 2 pages)supervising the project, prepared using the presentation template provided in the Toolbox at the bottom of the 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 TRANSCRIPTS 

• Any transcripts that are missing, unofficial, not certified as a true copy, or out-of-date will render the application ineligible.
• Copies of all academic transcripts are required, for all university studies pursued by the applicant, whether completed or not. This includes transcripts from exchange programs or courses (equivalencies), where applicable.
• What makes a transcript official may differ from one academic institution to another. Nonetheless, to be deemed official by the FRQ, each transcript must:

o   be issued by the university institution in question;

AND

o   include elements indicating that it is an official transcript for that academic institution. This may be the seal or stamp of the issuing institution AND/OR the registrar’s signature AND/OR the notation “Official Transcript”, etc.

• THE PRESENCE OF A WATERMARK will not render a transcript unofficial, as long as it meets the requirements specified above.
• If there is any doubt about the authenticity of a transcript, the Fonds reserves the right to verify with the applicant or the institution concerned.
• A transcript delivered in a sealed envelope by the registrar’s office can be opened and its contents scanned.

Other documents to attach, if applicable, along with the transcripts:

• Document explaining the current grading system for transcripts from institutions outside North America. This letter must clearly explain the grading system used, so that the transcripts can be properly understood;
• Letter of explanation from the institution (registrar’s office or equivalent administrative body) if no transcript is issued. The letter must state the reasons for the missing transcript. The Fonds reserves the right to verify the validity of the reasons given;
• If no transcript is issued but the applicant is unable to obtain a letter from the university, a letter of explanation written by the applicant, endorsed by the department director at the host institution, explaining the absence of the transcript.

4.3 IMPORTANT NOTES RELATED TO SUBMITTING APPLICATIONS

• Applicants are advised to prepare their application well in advance to ensure that it is submitted before the deadline, given the large number of applications and requests received by the Fonds at the end of the competition period.
• 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 not be accepted.
• Official documents submitted in a language other than French or English must include a certified translation. Other documents submitted in a language other than French or English must be accompanied by a basic translation.
• 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, research students and science communication specialists will evaluate the applications received. Given the diverse profiles of committee members, applicants are encouraged to present the 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;

• 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;

• Motivation of the applicant:

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

APPLICATION

Applications will be assessed according to the following criteria:

Science communication action plan for the general public – 50 points

• Relevance and originality of the science communication action plan;
• Quality of the proposed strategies;
• Realism of the timeframe and budget, and capacity to implement the action plan.

Anticipated impacts – 25 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 motivation – 10 points

• Applicant’s interest and motivation for science communication;
• Engagement and motivation.

Planned supervision – 15 points

• Quality of the planned supervision;
• Integration of the communication project into the activities of the supervising researcher’s research team.

6. DESCRIPTION AND NATURE OF THE GRANT

6.1 Amount

• Successful applicants will receive a grant of $10,000 for a maximum of 1 year.
• This grant may be held concurrently with a training award (master’s, doctoral, postdoctoral, etc.), but it may not be held concurrently with a REGARDS – Sustainable Development Goals grant.
• A minimum of 18 projects will be selected under this competition drawn equally from the three research sectors covered by the FRQ, if possible.
• The grant is paid directly to the funded students, who are responsible for the financial management of their project. 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.

Professional fees and compensation

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

Travel and subsistence costs

• Travel expenses of the applicant (maximum $500). It should be noted that the FRQ may decide to approve a higher amount for this category of expense, provided that this is adequately justified in the application. However, applicants are advised to contact the program manager beforehand.

Other types of eligible expenses

• Science communication training.

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.
• Financial and activity reports, the format of which will be communicated in due course, must be submitted to the FRQ at the end of the grant period.
• 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.