Montréal, June 17, 2024 —Génome Québec, in partnership with the Fonds de recherche du Québec – secteur nature et technologies (FRQ), is particularly proud to launch today the fourth cycle of the Genomics Integration Program – Agriculture and Bio-food, Forestry and Environment. The total investment for this cycle is $1.5 million from Génome Québec, plus $300,000 from FRQ. This program aims to promote innovation in areas such as biodiversity, ecosystem environmental health, animal health, soil health, pathogen detection in wastewater and genomic data management.
The projects selected under this program will focus on the use of genomic approaches to provide concrete solutions in the agriculture and bio-food, forestry and environment sectors, while contributing to a healthier, more sustainable world.
“We are delighted to be collaborating once again with the Fond de recherche du Québec secteur nature et technologies on a priority theme for both organizations, as we firmly believe that genomics can help stimulate innovation to address the global challenges caused by climate change and biodiversity loss. This partnership is further proof of our determination to put science at the service of society and its future”, emphasizes Stéphanie Lord-Fontaine, Vice-President, Scientific Affairs at Génome Québec.
“A new funding opportunity for the research community is always good news, especially if it helps to face the climate crisis and the decline in biodiversity. I’m happy to pursue this collaboration with Génome Québec, which will enable us to support innovative research projects carried out in partnership with users, and the development of sustainable solutions adapted to the challenges we face”, says Janice Bailey, Scientific Director of the Fonds de recherche du Québec – secteur Nature et technologies.
What is the Genomics Integration Program – Agriculture and Biofood, Forestry and Environment?
This program supports projects ranging from $100,000 to $300,000 by covering half of the funding for partnerships between academic researchers and users partners capable of implementing and/or commercializing the research results. The funds must be used to develop a proof of concept that can be leveraged to secure subsequent funding. The funds can also be used to help the user partner integrate the proof-of-concept results at the end of the project. Projects must relate to fields such as agriculture and biofood, forestry, and the environment and include an omics technology component—for example, the development of new omics technology, the use of artificial intelligence to mine omics data, genetic engineering, synthetic biology, etc.
About Génome Québec
Génome Québec’s mission is to catalyze the development and excellence of genomics research and promote its integration and democratization. It is a pillar of the Québec bioeconomy and contributes to Québec’s influence and its social and sustainable development. The funds invested by Génome Québec are provided by the ministère de l’Économie, de l’Innovation et de l’Énergie du Québec (MEIE), the government of Canada, through Genome Canada, and private partners. To learn more, visit www.genomequebec.com.
About the Fonds de recherche du Québec
Reporting to the ministère de l’Économie, de l’Innovation et de l’Énergie du Québec (MEIE), the mission of the Fonds de recherche du Québec is to ensure the strategic and coherent development of Québec research and to support it financially, to support the training of researchers, to establish the partnerships necessary to achieve its mission, to support the mobilization of knowledge and to promote research and science in French in natural sciences and engineering, health sciences, social sciences and humanities, arts and letters. Visit the website to learn more: Fonds de recherche du Québec
– 30 -
Contacts
Laura Castrec
Programs Manager
FRQ – secteur NT
418 643-8560, extension 3287