Rémi Quirion, Québec’s chief scientist, welcomes the joint declaration of intent he signed today in Paris on behalf of the Fonds de recherche du Québec (FRQ) with Patrick Nedellec, director of the CNRS European Research and International Cooperation Department, on behalf of Antoine Petit, chairman and chief executive officer of the Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS).
The declaration renews the commitment to pursue the collaboration between France and Québec through three international joint units (UMI) based in Québec—the Centre de recherches mathématiques, the Laboratoire nanotechnologies et nanosystèmes and Takuvik— which stem from partnerships between the CNRS and Université de Montréal, Université de Sherbrooke and Université Laval, respectively. These joint structures of excellence bring together researchers in Québec and France in highly strategic areas from the scientific, economic and technological perspectives and foster high-quality training for new researchers.
Established in 2014, the exchange program has given the FRQ the opportunity to provide financial support to researchers carrying out three- to four-year research residencies in a French UMI. In turn, the CNRS funds researchers who pursue their work in Québec.
The CNRS and FRQ have also agreed to continue their discussions to jointly support other types of partnerships on high risk and cross-sectoral projects.
Further details on the initiatives that will be developed under the joint declaration of intent will be communicated to members of Québec’s scientific community in due course.
Quotation
“In response to the major social challenges we face both in Québec and France, it is critical that we collaborate on strategic themes as wide ranging as mathematics, nanoscience and Arctic research. The declaration also serves to initiate discussions on future cross-sectoral research initiatives—a forward-thinking approach that the FRQ have supported for several years.”
– Rémi Quirion, Québec’s chief scientist
About the Fonds de recherche du Québec
Reporting to the Minister of Economy, Science and Innovation, the Fonds de recherche du Québec strive to ensuring the strategic and coherent development as well as the financial support of Québec research, establish the necessary partnerships to carry out their mission, and promote and support knowledge mobilization.
Information
Claude Pinel
Director, Programs and Partnerships
Fonds de recherche du Québec – Nature et technologies
418 643-3393
