General Information

Objectives

The Research Support Program on Intergovernmental Affairs and Québec Identity is intended to assist in the development and dissemination of knowledge in these fields through activities, research and studies. 

The Intergovernmental Affairs component supports projects of interest to Québec that are likely to contribute to the improvement of interprovincial and federal-provincial-territorial relations, especially by:

• consolidating intergovernmental cooperation;
• promoting relations between governments that are based on the respect of the Constitution and the recognition of diversity;
• promoting the exchange of views between the various regions of Canada.

The Québec Identity component supports projects that are likely to contribute to the promotion of Québec identity, especially by: 

• fostering a better understanding of Québec identity and specificity and of the Québec nation and its constituent elements;
• enhancing a sense of common citizenship within Québec.

Eligible applicants

Researchers affiliated with an organization (institutions, associations, research centres, institutes) in Québec or elsewhere may apply for this program.

Eligible projects

Projects meeting the program’s requirements have the following basic characteristics:

• they promote research, study and the dissemination of findings by experts, both in Québec and elsewhere;
• they facilitate meetings among experts at important events taking place in Québec or elsewhere.

As part of the Intergovernmental Affairs component, projects (research, studies, publications, conferences, meetings of experts, etc.) are deemed eligible when they:

• promote the participation of organizers, conference speakers, researchers and authors from both Québec and the rest of Canada;
• correspond to the objectives of this component as well as the orientations and priorities that can be established by the Secrétariat aux affaires intergouvernementales canadiennes (SAIC); and
• touch on at least one of the following themes:
• Canadian politics;
• interprovincial and federal-provincial-territorial relations;
• institutional, constitutional and geopolitical issues related to Canadian federalism;
• comparative federalism.

As part of the Québec Identity component, projects (research, studies, publications, conferences, meetings of experts, etc.) are deemed eligible when they:

• correspond to the objectives of this component as well as to the orientations and priorities that may be established by the SAIC; and
• touch on at least one of the following themes:
• Québec political institutions;
• Québec identity (education, culture, economy and society);
• the place of Québec within Canada;
• comparative federalism and issues of identity;
• history of Québec and of the diverse societal components of Québec;
• interculturalism.

Presentation of projects

Projects must be submitted to the SAIC

Conditions for applications

All projects must be described on the form designed for this purpose. This application must include all of the following:

• full address of the applicant(s) and, where relevant, of any organizations that are associated with the project, including postal and E-mail addresses and Web sites, if they exist;
• function, title, experience, communications and publications of the applicant (join curriculum vitae);
• a description of the proposed activities;
• a summary of the expected results based on the program’s objectives;
• a budget, including projected income and expenditure, covering one or more years, where applicable;
• the original signature of the applicants, along with a statement declaring that all information provided is true and correct and, where applicable, authorizing the Government du Québec (or its agent) to audit the use of the grant.

Duration of projects

Funded projects must be conducted over one year but can exceptionally be extended over a period of three (3) years maximum. In the case of a multiannual project, a report will be required at mid-point of the activities, in addition to the final report which must be presented at the end of the project. In no cases, projects are funded in a recurring manner.

Declared expenses

Eligible expenses

• Fees and salaries directly related to the project (contractuals such as research assistants hired specifically for the realization of the project).
• Reasonable transport and accommodation expenses.
• Miscellaneous expenses (e.g. printing, translation, etc.).
• Communication and promotional expenses related to the project.
• Material and equipment rental.

Ineligible expenses

• Administration expenses.
• Office rent.
• Equipment purchase.
• Capital expenditures.
• Any other day-to-day operating expenses.

Determination of the amount of the grant

Grants are attributed based on program priorities and the availability of funds.

Project evaluation process

Projects are subject to an evaluation based on the following elements:

• the relevance of the project;
• the structure and the originality of the project;
• the research achievement and the financial aspects.

Conditions for payment of financial assistance

When the contribution from Government of Québec is equal to or less than $25,000, the grant is made in a single instalment.

When financial support is over $25,000, the grant is made in two instalments, 80 percent when the grant is approved and 20 percent at the end of the project, upon presentation of the final report.

Visibility

Applicants who receive a subsidy must agree to mention, in any communication related to the activity, research or study in question, that they have obtained financial assistance from the Government of Québec as part of the program and to provide the government with a level of visibility that is commensurate with the assistance given.

Follow-up and audit

Organizations that receive a subsidy agree to carry out the project as approved. Should there be any changes, the SAIC must be informed in writing and may authorize or refuse to continue funding the project and to pay the remainder of the grant, as the case may be.

The final report must be produced as soon as the project is over or by March 31 of the current financial year at the latest.

The unused amount of a grant must be returned to the SAIC at the end of the project or after its cancellation.

The SAIC will require audited financial statements for any grant made by the Government of Québec in excess of $50,000. It also reserves the right to access at any time the audited financial statements of any organization that it subsidizes, as well as any organizations related to that organization. It may also audit the vouchers and information provided by the organization

Coordinates

Secrétariat aux affaires intergouvernementales canadiennes (SAIC)
Direction de la réflexion stratégique (DRS)
875, Grande Allée Est, 3e étage
Québec (Québec) G1R 4Y8
Phone: 418 528-7915
Fax: 418 643-1138

You may reach us by email