The FRQNT's (Fonds de recherche du Québec – Nature et technologies) international internship aims to foster international mobility of students whose research activities are part of the scientific program of a strategic cluster funded by the FRQNT.

The internship is a supplementary tool available to a strategic cluster to strengthen its position at the international level through research projects and partnerships that have already been established or which are under development.

The international internship is intended for Master's or doctoral students enrolled full-time in a Quebec university or in an university outside Québec who meets the requirements of their program.

The proposed research outlined in the application as part of the internship must be part of the scientific program of the strategic cluster.

All of the strategic clusters supported by the FRQNT may submit an application to this program.

The applicant proposed by the strategic cluster must meet all of the eligibility requirements listed here after.

Citizenship

For full-time students enrolled in a Québec university

The applicant must be a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident of Canada or a foreign student who has a valid study permit for the province of Québec.

For foreign students enrolled in an university outside Québec

The applicant must have the valid study permits or visa for the entire duration of the internship;

The applicant can't be enrolled in a co-degree from more than one institution including a Québec university. For the students enrolled in a co-degree see the rules of the Frontenac program.

Location of the internship

The internship must take place outside Quebec for students enrolled in a Quebec university or Quebec for students from abroad.

Duration of the internship

The internship must be of a minimum duration of 2 months and a maximum of 6 months.

Start date of the internship

The internship must start no later than September 30^th, 2018.

Restrictions

Students who are jointly supervised by a researcher in a foreign university (co-degree) are not eligible to apply for an international internship scholarship to visit one of their home universities

Candidates interested within this program must file their application within their strategic cluster (see list on FRQNT's Web Site) Validate the list of documents required for this application with the specific strategic cluster.

The strategic clusters which recommend a candidate must fill the specific form available on FRQNT's Web site as well as transmit it electronically. The form includes the complete addresses of the student, the academic supervisor, and the internship supervisor. A brief description of the nature of the internship is also required.

The strategic clusters must also submit the selection committee report that states the results for each of the three criteria in effect, the assessment process and the names of the committee members.

The strategic clusters must also send in the electronic form, a letter signed by the supervisor of the student specifying the start and end dates of the internship.

Any internship application must be filed by the strategic cluster and approved by the FRQNT before the leaving of the trainee.

Application deadlines

Each strategic cluster may submit applications at all time until March 1, 2018.

Limited number of applications

Each strategic cluster may generally submit up to three applications during the period up to March 31, 2018.

This limit can be re-examined and increased at all time until March 31, 2018.

Each strategic cluster can propose the application of no more than two foreign students enrolled outside Québec so they can pursue their internship within the strategic cluster.

The same rules for evaluating candidates, duration of the course and the value of scholarship apply to application. The application of a foreign student enrolled outside Québec doesn't modify the total limit of three candidates per cluster.

The scholarship for internship is of a maximum value of $15,000. However, the FRQNT will allow no more than the equivalent of $2,500/month in living expenses.

Criteria

Applications are evaluated by the strategic clusters according to the following criteria:

The process and evaluation criteria are the sole responsibility of the FRQNT.

Candidates are selected by the strategic clusters which recommend them to the FRQNT. It is the FRQNT that makes the final decision on the grants to be awarded under the international internship program. The allocation of internships by the FRQNT is made on a first come, first served basis and the funds available for this program.

The FRQNT reserves itself the right to refuse any application that does not meet eligibility requirements or for which the selection committee report is not sufficiently detailed.

The Strategic cluster must be able to provide to the FRQNT, if required, supporting documents related to the internship expenses (ex.: airfare, room rental agreement, etc.).

A report detailing the activities carried out during the internship must be sent to the FRQNT's program administrator no later than one month after the end of the internship. This report is done in an open format of about one page and must present the following: 1) a presentation of the training site; 2) a description of (or) project to which the trainee worked and contribution; 3) a general assessment of the course and acquired research skills; 4) developed collaborations and potential impact for the strategic cluster.

The clusters, whose student will be in default of having submitted the internship report according to the rules, cannot file new applications to the international internship program as long as the situation is not rectified.

Any individual or institution that receives funding must demonstrate the highest standards of research ethics and scientific integrity. You must refer to the Common General Rules for further details.

At no time may applicants or their institutional authorities make contact with evaluation committee members, unless such contact is specified as part of the evaluation process. Similarly, evaluation committee members must not make contact with applicants, unless such contact is specifically indicated in the evaluation process. The identities of evaluation committee members are kept confidential to avoid any attempt at collusion. The Fonds reserve the right to withdraw an application from competition if there is any inappropriate intervention, lobby, undue influence or collusion during the evaluation process, as stipulated in the Policy for the Responsible Conduct of Research.

The Fonds make all reasonable efforts to ensure optimal service. However, they cannot be held liable for any direct or indirect damage resulting from their handling of applications for funding. Furthermore, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Fonds are not liable for any direct or indirect damage resulting from the disclosure of personal or confidential information that was not authorized by the Fonds.

The Fonds presume the good faith of the declaration provided in funding applications or in any other document submitted at any time during the funding cycle, from the initial funding application to the final report. Applicants and funding holder must be transparent and provide accurate and precise information. They must be conscientious about advising the Fonds of any changes in their situation, where applicable. Such qualities are essential to maintaining the trust of the Fonds in its funding holders.

Under the Act Respecting the Ministère de l'Enseignement supérieur, de la Recherche, de la Science et de la Technologie (CQLR, c. M-15.1.0.1), any individual who submits an application containing false or misleading information to obtain or procure financial support is committing an offence, is liable to a fine and could be barred from receiving financial support for a period of up to five years. Where a legal person commits such an offence, every director or representative of that legal person who was aware of the offence may be liable to a fine. Furthermore, such a declaration constitutes a breach of responsible research conduct, as set forth in the Fonds de recherche du Québec Policy for the Responsible Conduct of Research, and may be subject to sanctions in accordance with this policy.

The Fonds reserve the right to take immediate measures to stop the use of public funds obtained through false or misleading information, and to take legal action to recover fraudulently obtained funds and claim compensation for damages caused where appropriate.

You should refer to the Common General Rules for any matter related to responsible conduct in research, privacy and confidentiality, intellectual property and the protection of academic freedom.

Researchers and institutions must meet the eligibility requirements when applying for financial assistance. The specific rules of the program and the common general rules must be respected throughout the period covered by the grant.

The FRQNT reserves the right to change, without notice, the program rules. In addition, it may terminate the program at any given time when available funds are exhausted.