The Quebec Sleep Research Network (Sleep Network) is launching its first general call for projects, with the aim of supporting innovative research initiatives related to the major themes of sleep. This initiative is in line with the Sleep Network's mission: to propel sleep science as a highly innovative, cross-sectoral field rooted in the needs of the Quebec population, throughout life.

The program aims to stimulate the emergence of promising projects, based on solid scientific foundations, while promoting the next generation of researchers and the adoption of the principles of equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI). It is also a strategic lever for broader funding, particularly with large granting agencies (e.g., Canadian Institutes of Health Research, CIHR).

Projects will be evaluated according to a binary Pass/Fail system, designed to reduce selection bias. Projects that pass all evaluation criteria will then be entered into a random draw.

Please note that a call for pilot projects on occupational health and safety will also be available in autumn 2025.

Goals

This funding opportunity aims to:

• Support innovative, cross-sector research projects related to sleep, with a potential impact on the physical, psychological and social well-being of individuals ;
• Foster the development of the next generation of scientists, giving priority to projects led by new researchers;
• Encourage EDI best practices, both in team composition and in the research questions addressed;
• Serve as a springboard for large-scale funding applications, in particular by supporting the generation of preliminary data relevant to competitive applications (e.g. CIHR).

In the spirit of transparency and collaboration, the sharing of data, code and protocols is strongly encouraged, but does not constitute a formal evaluation criterion. We also invite you to click on the file entitled “Context of EDI issues in sleep research” at the top of the page to learn more about EDI issues in sleep.

Available budget

A budget of $180,000 is available for this funding opportunity, which will enable us to fund at least 6 pilot projects (maximum of $30,000 per project). Please note that at least three projects from new researchers (less than 10 years after the date of obtaining the Ph.D. or equivalent) will be selected in this funding opportunity.

Eligibility criteria

The person submitting the application (principal investigator) must be affiliated with a managing institution in Quebec (according to the rules of the Fonds de recherche du Québec), must become a member of the Sleep Network and must meet the criteria of status 1, 2, 3 or 4 of the general common rules of the Fonds de recherche du Québec (FRQ). Projects submitted by postdoctoral fellows are eligible only if the fellow submits confirmation of appointment as a researcher/professor before December 31, 2025. Co-investigators and collaborators may be included in the application, without being members of the Sleep Network.

Only one project per principal investigator may be submitted for this funding opportunity. Applications that are incomplete or do not meet the eligibility criteria will not be evaluated.

Eligible Expenses

This program allows expenses for :

• Remuneration (salary and benefits) or scholarship supplement :
  • research professionals (salary);
  • 1st, 2nd and 3rd cycle students (scholarship supplement or salary);
  • postdoctoral fellows (salary).
• Purchase of hardware, software and small research equipment costing less than $10,000;
• The cost of access to computing resources;
• Acquisition of and access to databases and biobanks;
• Platform access costs (computing, microscopy, etc.).

We invite you to consult the FRQ common general rules and the Network Management and Governance Guidelines for full details on eligible expenses.

Conditions de financement

Funds will be forwarded to the research office of the principal investigator's home institution (managing institution). The managing institution will administer the funds according to their policies while respecting the FRQ's common general rules and the Network Management and Governance Guidelines.

For projects requiring ethics approval, funds will only be transferred once REB approval or a letter of exemption from their institution's REB has been obtained.

Please note that funds transferred to the researcher's institution cannot subsequently be transferred to another institution. Eligible expenses are those recognized by the FRQ (see section above for details).

How to submit an application

Only one document is required and must be sent to [email protected] by June 30, 2025, 4pm (Eastern Time).

The format of the application is free, but it must be submitted as a PDF file of no more than two pages (Times 11pt and 2" margins), including 5 free references and the budget. Figures and tables are accepted within the limits of available pages and document margins.

Evaluation criteria

Projects will be evaluated according to a binary Pass/Fail system, followed by a random draw to reduce selection bias. A project must achieve a “Pass” on each of the following three criteria to be eligible for the draw:

1) Scientific relevance

The project must demonstrate strong scientific merit, including :

• Innovative character (hypotheses, methodological approaches, technologies);
• Significant potential impact;
• A clear commitment to making data and other scientific output accessible to the scientific community in the medium term, wherever possible.

2) Feasibility

The team must demonstrate that the project is feasible on time and within budget, taking into account :

• Team composition and expertise;
• Access to the necessary resources (equipment, infrastructure);
• A realistic timetable.

3) Leverage potential

The project must clearly outline its potential to contribute to a subsequent major funding application, identifying in particular the preliminary data targeted and their usefulness in the context of a specific objective.

Each criterion must integrate the principles of equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI), where relevant, in particular by:

• Promoting the inclusion of regional researchers;
• Reflecting diversity in the populations studied and/or the issues addressed;
• Integrating diversity into the research team, including the principal investigator.

Finally, it will be possible for each evaluator to designate one “must-see” project. If a project receives this rating from all the evaluators, it will be eligible for direct funding, without going through the draw.

Timeline of the competition

• May 15, 2025: Launch of call for pilot projects
• June 30, 2025 at 4 pm (Eastern Time) : Submission deadline
• July 2025 to September 2025: Bid evaluation
• September 15, 2025: Winners announced

Principal investigator's commitment

The principal investigator agrees to write a public abstract of 100 words max. within one month of funding approval. This summary should be sent to [email protected]. He or she also agrees to present his or her project at the Sleep Network Scientific Day that will be held on March 27, 2026 in Quebec City.

No later than 6 months after the end of the project, a scientific report (maximum 1 page) presenting the spin-offs of the project must be sent to [email protected]. This report enables Network to document the impact of its activities.

A financial report must be produced at the end of each fiscal year by the principal investigator's managing institution.