$1M to support pediatric research

Montreal, QC – The Foundation of Stars and the Fonds de recherche du Québec – Santé (FRQS) are joining forces to support pediatric research through new training awards for students, primarily in the area of early childhood disease diagnosis. The Foundation and the FRQS have each pledged $500 000 to fund master’s, PhD and postdoctoral awards, investing one million dollars over the next three years to advance research into early childhood diseases.

In addition to the training awards, the Foundation of Stars and the FRQS will jointly fund career awards for new researchers (Junior 1) as part of the upcoming FRQS competitions, which will be launched in July 2015.

“New diagnostic approaches and innovative minimally invasive concepts are required to enhance children’s health and well-being,” said Martin Godbout, member of the board of directors of the Foundation of Stars. “The future lies in increasingly personalized, reliable and effective pediatric care, which is what we seek to offer. Also, by focusing on detection and prevention, we are certain to find better treatment options,”

“The FRQS is very pleased to be partnering with the Foundation of Stars. Our expertise in scientific assessment will enable us to grant awards to leading experts in the diagnosis of early childhood diseases and give impetus to the research field for children’s wellness,” added Dr. Renaldo Battista, scientific director of the FRQS.