FRQ 2021 Applications: Bishop's Highest Success Rate!

The Fonds de recherche du Québec (FRQ) support and promote excellence in research, and the training of the next generation of researchers. At the beginning of May, the results of their 2021-2022 competitions were made available to the research community. Bishop’s researchers had an incredibly high success rate. Out of eleven applications, our researchers had five successful grants. Of note, ten out of eleven were recommended for funding, but the availability of funds made it impossible to fund all of those.

Dr. Catherine Malboeuf-Hurtubise of the Department of Psychology received a Research Scholars Junior grant for the project Le programme Inspiration: Évaluation et comparaison d’interventions basées sur la présence attentive, la philosophie pour enfants et l’art-thérapie sur la santé mentale des enfants du primaire au temps de la COVID-19 et en contexte scolaire primaire régulier. This is a great step as it marks the second FRQS grant in Bishop’s history.

Dr. Patrick Bergeron of the Department of Biology received a Team Research Project grant for the project Les secrets de la reproduction en environnement fluctuant.

Dr. John Ruan of the Department of Physics and Astronomy received a Research Support for New Academics grant for the project Un nouveau test des flux d’accrétion analogues de trous noirs en quiescence.

Dr. Jessica Prioletta of the School of Education received a Research Support for New Academics grant for the project L’enseignement de la sexualité à l’éducation préscolaire : une étude de la mise en œuvre du programme contenus en éducation à la sexualité au Québec.

Dr. Rafael Tedesqui of the Department of Sport Studies received a Research Support for New Academics grant for the project Sélection, rétention et développement des talents sportifs : Le rôle de la personnalité des athlètes.

We also want to congratulate Dr. Sarah-Myriam Martin-Brûlé of the Department of Politics and International Studies, co-applicant on a successful Team Research Project grant for the project La politique mondiale contemporaine des conflits civils: élargissement de reseaux, échanges contestés.

But how can we explain this year’s success? There is more than one factor at play here. In addition to the high level of excellent research programs we have here at BU, a major difference was that, this year, all FRQ applications were carefully reviewed and revised by the Grants Officer, who made recommendations and suggestions on how to improve the applications. When it comes to funding applications, to ensure the submission of a high-quality application, collaboration between the researchers and the Grants Officer is key, as the Grants Officer knows the tips and tricks on how to put an application on track for success. Moreover, last summer, almost all applicants attended the webinars How to be successful with the FRQ? offered by the Office of Research and Graduate Studies. During those activities, the Grants Officer shared all their tips and tricks on how to be strategic with the FRQ and how to prepare a successful application. For the FRQ competitions, especially for the Team Research Project program and the Research Scholars program, networking and building strategic and fruitful research connections in the Eastern Townships and the province of Quebec is crucial. The Office of Research and Graduate Studies was also able to recommend connections and help support their development.

We wish to congratulate all the successful applicants, and hope to continue this success for many years to come!

Dr. Catherine Malboeuf-Hurtubise