Maritime research the focus of proposed new network

Quebec City, QC – The Fonds de recherche du Québec (FRQ) and the Ministère de l’Éducation, de l’Enseignement supérieur et de la Recherche (MEESR) are requesting feedback from the research community to assist in the development of a new network that will focus on maritime issues.

The proposed network will include partnerships between the academic community, government, public and private sectors in Québec and its purpose will be to build knowledge about sustainable development of the province’s maritime environments. Topics to be explored will include safe and ecological maritime transport, maritime tourism, research and development in the blue economy, and new environmental and marine technologies.

The government has allocated $3.3 million in its current budget, to be administered by the MEESR, to develop the Réseau Québec Maritime and the Institut France-Québec pour la recherche et l’innovation dans le secteur maritime. While the network aims to pool maritime expertise in Québec to make the province a concerted hub for the development and transfer of maritime knowledge and innovation, the institute will bring together driving forces in France and Québec to drawn on expertise on either side of the Atlantic.

The FRQ is now seeking feedback from members of the scientific community and stakeholders focused on maritime issues to provide added value to the process. For more information on the project, click on the Avis de création du réseau. Deadline for comments is August 12 and the network will be officially launched in September 2015.