Excellence scholarships: information and support sessions (CRMR, autumn 2026)
5 June 2026
Excellence scholarship programs offered by funding agencies aim to stimulate research interest and provide financial support to top candidates, enabling them to begin or continue master’s or doctoral studies in various fields. In order to increase the number of students receiving merit-based scholarships, the CRMR will be offering several application-writing support sessions this year.
Two meetings will be specifically dedicated to Fonds de recherche du Québec (FRQ) scholarships. Led by Professor Véronic Landry, they will take place on June 15, 2026, in room GHK 2376:
- French session: 10:00–11:00 a.m.
- English session: 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Interactive workshops will also be organized based on participants’ needs. These workshops aim to answer students’ questions and provide hands-on support in drafting and improving their applications. During these sessions, participants will have the opportunity to work alongside excellence scholarship recipients: Luc Lionel Girompaire, Philippe Riel, Antoine Harel, and Maimoona Birjees, who will share their experiences, strategies, and practical advice. Personalized mentoring support in the form of sponsorship will also be offered to guide participants throughout the entire process, from initial reflection to final submission. We warmly thank the mentors for their voluntary commitment and their valuable contribution to the success of this initiative. Do not hesitate to contact us for more information or to reach out directly to the volunteers.
In addition, successful grant applications from past recipients will be made available to students attending the June 15 training session. These concrete examples will help participants better understand evaluation criteria and best practices for preparing a strong application.
During the first two meetings, Professor Véronic Landry will cover the following topics:
- Overview of scholarships and FRQNT selection criteria
- Explanation of the three required application documents
- Practical advice on steps to follow to submit a competitive application
To better prepare, we encourage you to review the competition guidelines before the session using the links below.
Please note that application forms for this year’s competition are not yet available on the Fonds de recherche du Québec website. It is therefore recommended to regularly consult the FRQ calendar to stay informed about updates and deadlines.
- Doctoral studies– https://frq.gouv.qc.ca/programme/bourses-de-doctorat-en-recherche-2026-2027-b2-volet-regulier-et-volet-reintegration-a-la-recherche/. Deadline: early October 2026.
- Master’s– Bourses de maîtrise en recherche – volet régulier (B1X) et volet réintégration à la recherche (A2X1) FRQNT Sciences naturelles, sciences mathématiques et génie. Deadline: early October 2026.
We also invite you to consult the Fonds de recherche du Québec – Nature and Technologies sector competition calendar, to discover other funding opportunities and plan your applications effectively.
We recommend that you create your account now on the platform : FRQnet – Portfolio (gouv.qc.ca).
You can also consult other competitions offered by the Fonds de recherche du Québe here
We also share below links to the FRQ scholarship webinar and two essential documents:
- Panel on scholarship applications | with Thèsez-vous, the FRQ, SSHRC, NSERC, and CIHR | 2025 – YouTube
- Guide to the new FRQnet portal (the integrated management software for scholarships and grants of the Fonds de recherche du Québec)
- Instructions for preparing your CV
We invite you to bring your laptop to the session in order to work directly on the different sections of the form.
Please note that three $250 scholarships will be awarded by random draw to CRMR student members who submit an application to major excellence scholarship competitions. This initiative aims to encourage participation and recognize the effort invested.
INFORMATION ON THE DIFFERENT PROGRAMS
To discover all scholarships available in your field, consult the websites of the main funding agencies:
- Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), graduate and postdoctoral programs
- Fonds de recherche du Québec et Fonds de recherche du Québec and FRQNT competition calendar.
- Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC)
Most competitions take place in the autumn
You are also invited to consult Laval University’s scholarship page: https://www.ulaval.ca/espace-etudiant/bourses-et-aide-financiere/bourses-detudes
TIPS FOR PREPARING YOUR APPLICATION FILE
Below are useful resources to support you in preparing your application:
- Video tutorials to guide you through federal funding agency scholarship applications
- Practical guide for graduate scholarship or postdoctoral fellowship applications
- BBAF tips for scholarship applications
- Blog post« The art of the scholarship application» written by Sara Mathieu-C, co-founder of Thèsez-vous, including a strategic table for organizing ideas in your application.
- Essential tools and guides | Graduate studies and internships
- FRQNT – Compilation of relevant documents for submitting a postdoctoral scholarship application
We strongly encourage you to consult these resources to highlight your academic path, achievements, and the quality of your research project.
Table of funding agency programs
| Organization / Scholarship | Deadline | Where to submit your application |
|---|---|---|
| NSERC | ||
| December 1, 2026 | ||
| September 2026 | ||
| SSHRC – NSERC – CIHR | ||
| October 10, 2026 | ||
| Fonds de recherche du Québec (FRQ) | ||
| October 1, 2026 | ||
| October 1, 2026 | ||
| October 8, 2026 | ||
|
Submission to UL: June 17, 2026
|
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| Rolling competition | ||