Merit Scholarship Program for Foreign Students (PBEEE)

Overview

The objectives of the Merit Scholarship for Foreign Students program are to support the internalization of research activities in Quebec’s higher education institutions, to attract top foreign researchers and students and promote international recognition of Quebec universities and College Centres for the Transfer of Technologies (CCTT) and to create cultural links and pave the way for the setting up of joint scientific research projects.

MERIT SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM FOR FOREIGN STUDENTS (PBEEE)

Eligibility

You must not have applied for Canadian citizenship or permanent residence.

Master’s: You cannot have completed more than three full-time terms (one year) in your master’s program as of May 1 following the application deadline. You can apply before starting the program.

Doctorate: You cannot have completed more than nine full-time terms (three year) in your PhD program as of May 1 following the application deadline. You can apply before starting the program.

Postdoctoral: You must have obtained your PhD no more than two years before the competition and your postdoctoral research must be conducted in an institution other than the one that granted the doctoral degree.

Short-term research: You must have obtained your PhD no more than five years before the deadline for the competition. It is intended for technical and university students or researchers.

The short-term research or professional development must be conducted in an institution other than the one at which you were enrolled at the time of application.

Value

Master’s: $20,000 per year, up to two years.

Doctoral: $25,000 per year, up to three years.

Postdoctoral: $35,000 per one year.

Short-term research: $3,000 per month, up to four months.

Application

If you are interested in applying to any of these competitions, you will need to fill out the corresponding application form and request your referees to complete the relevant form as well. Below, you'll find detailed instructions along with the necessary forms to complete.

You must submit your application to your program by Concordia internal deadline of July 31st.

If preselected by the SGS Graduate Awards Committee, you will be notified in late September by the School of Graduate Studies. FRQNT will then contact all preselected candidates to complete an electronic form with required documents attached.

Step 1: Determine if you are eligible to apply for this scholarship.

The Quebec Merit Scholarship Programs for Foreign Nationals has three components: doctoral research scholarships (V1, 1B, 1C, 1I, 1IS, 1W), postdoctoral scholarships (V2, 2B, 2C, 2I), and short-term research or professional development scholarships (V3, 3B, 3C, 3I, 3IS, 3W). You may only submit one application to either the doctoral, postdoctoral or short-term research competition. To determine whether you are eligible to apply for one or more of the sub categories (i.e. unrestricted V1, Brazil 1B, DE, etc.), please consult the FRQNT website.

Step 2: Inform Concordia University

Contact a Graduate Program Director (GPD) from a department of your choice with your intent to apply. If a GPD agrees to endorse your candidacy, download and complete the fillable Pre-selection Application Form, downloadable below in the instructions and forms section.

Step 3: Contact two referees for their reference letters

Obtain two (2) letters of references from referees who are familiar with your work.

If you are currently engaged in supervised research, one of your referees should be your supervisor. If you cannot obtain a letter from your supervisor, please include a brief letter of explanation.
The second referee can be someone who knows you in a classroom context, a former supervisor, or someone else who can attest to your aptitude for research.
Letters must be supplied using the Letter of Reference Form (can be downloaded below in the instructions and forms section) and sent directly by your referees to your nominating department.
If you are applying for the postdoctoral scholarship or the short-term or professional development scholarship programs (V2 and V3), a Letter of Acceptance Form from your proposed supervisor in Quebec is required. The supervisor who writes your letter of acceptance cannot submit a letter of reference.

Step 4: Verify the application for completeness

Consult the checklist;
Ensure that the letters of recommendation are submitted with the required form(s);
Ensure that you have provided the department with a copy of all your university transcripts.

Please note that if you are nominated to the provincial competition by Concordia, you will be required to supply official transcripts of all university studies directly to the FRQNT by the provincial deadline of November 1.

Step 5: Submit your application

You must submit your complete application package with copies of your transcripts to your nominating department by July 31.

If preselected by the Graduate Awards Committee, you will be notified in late September by the School of Graduate Studies and an account will be created for you in the FRQNet system.

The FRQNT will then contact you to complete an electronic form with required documents attached. E-forms are available only in the secure zone of the FRQNet system. The forms must be completed and sent electronically. Files cannot be updated after the closing date for applications. You should keep a printed copy of the form for your records. The form may be completed in French or English. If you apply in English, you must provide a French title for your project. The deadline date to submit the online application on the FRQNet system is November 1.

Instructions and forms

Documentation for Applicants

Documentation for Referees

Disbursement process

Students receiving funding from the FRQ will be paid directly by the Fonds once Concordia University has confirmed your full time registration status with the FRQ. The confirmation of registration will be made before the DNE date, however should there be a change in your registration status after the DNE date, you are required to inform SGS and the FRQ immediately. For further information, please refer to the FRQ scholarship holder’s guide or contact the agency’s relevant program manager directly.