New policy earmarks $2.1 billion for research in Quebec

Montreal, QC – The Québec government unveiled its new policy on research and innovation last week. The province’s minister of higher education, research, science and technology, Pierre Duchesne, said his government will be providing more than $2.1 billion for the first three years of implementing the new policy, which will span five years (2014-2019).

This includes a significant increase of over 25% for 2014-2015 compared to 2012-2013 for the Fonds de recherche du Québec.

The policy puts a strong emphasis on both basic research and the development of applied research. The government says the funding will support both academic and private research, as well as cross-media and inter-level collaborations. Supporting the next generation is a key priority, so support will also be given to scholarships and placements practice.

Beyond the Fonds, the policy also provides for supporting the full costs of research (or indirect expenses) and strengthening of infrastructure and major platforms such as Génome Québec, NanoQuébec and Calcul Québec. It also provides for public-private partnerships, and the creation of the new Fonds InnoMonde which will promote international partnership.

“The measures made public … by Minister Duchesne testify to the importance that the government of Quebec places on research and innovation,” said Dr. Rosie Goldstein, vice-principal (research and international relations) at McGill. “The additional amounts that will be granted to universities, particularly those destined to cover indirect costs of research, will provide significant support.”