The Chief Scientist Portal

Fonds de recherche du Québec

The implementation of Bill 130 on July 1st, 2011 signalled, among other things, the restructuring of Québec’s three existing research funding agencies. This action aims primarily to ensure strong management regarding the support and promotion of Québec research, thus improving Québec’s position on the world map of science; foster and increase synergies and partnerships between the various research sectors; and provide a common banner to increase local and international visibility of public research.

Henceforth grouped together under the name “Fonds de recherche du Québec”, the three research funds (Nature and Technology, Health, Society and Culture) will nevertheless conserve their mandate to promote and financially support research, knowledge dissemination and researcher training in Québec.

Bill 130 brings three principal changes to the structure of the funds: the integration of their administrative services, the creation of the post of Scientific Director within each fund, and the creation of the post of Chief Scientist. This highly strategic position has been awarded to Rémi Quirion, whose biography bears witness to a rich research career. Bill 130 confers four mandates on the Chief Scientist:

To advise the Minister of Economic Development, Innovation and Export Trade on matters pertaining to the development of research and science;

To chair the Boards of Directors of each of the three research funds;

To coordinate issues of common concern to the three funds and cross-sectoral research activities;

To ensure the consolidation and integration of the three research funds’ administrative activities.

This portal has been created to keep the research community and partners of the three funds informed about the activities of the Chief Scientist and his intended directions for research in Québec. We encourage you to visit it often.

RÉMI QUIRION
Chief Scientist

A message from the Chief Scientist

It is with great enthusiasm that I begin my mandate as Chief Scientist of Québec. Over the years, sustained investment on the part of the Québec government through its Nature and Technology, Health, and Society and Culture research funds has enabled the creation of a solid base of researchers of international renown.

Québec has many challenges to face if it wishes to continue to stand out on the world stage: it needs to revitalize research and innovation by fostering major cross-sectoral projects and knowledge transfer to businesses, practice settings and public bodies; improve the competitiveness of Québec researchers both within Canada and abroad; and provide increased support to our young scientists.

As Chief Scientist, my mandate is to advise the Minister of Economic Development, Innovation and Export Trade on matters pertaining to the development of research and science, in order to ensure Québec’s position and influence on Canadian and international levels. I am also Chairman of the Board of Directors of each of the three funds, and coordinate common issues and cross-sectoral research activities. Finally, I am working on integrating the three funds’ administrative services and I collaborate with the Scientific Directors of the three funds in order to ensure that they are operating effectively.

My position as interface between the three research funds enables me to build connections and make adjustments that will take Québec’s research system further in terms of knowledge production and innovation, thus increasing its influence. The fruits of public research should contribute to the living conditions, personal fulfillment and well-being of all Quebecers. I will rise to this stimulating challenge with the collaboration of the entire research community.

Rémi Quirion, OC, PhD, CQ, FRSC