Doctoral Awards

Updated July 15, 2020

Duration and value

One year; two $12,500 awards

Purpose of the awards

These awards are intended to support students registered at the doctoral level in Québec universities during their research project. During their doctoral studies, the students use the archival fonds and heritage collections of Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec (BAnQ) or conduct research on one of the following topics: book history, print history, publishing history in Québec; history and sociology of reading in Québec; and the Aboriginal documentary heritage of Québec.

Eligibility criteria and rules of use

Awardees must have obtained their master's degree and be registered full-time in a doctoral programme at a Québec university, plan to continue their university activities for two consecutive sessions, and plan to start or continue the project for which the award is provided when their doctoral award comes into effect. They must conduct their research on an aspect or on a component of the archival fonds and heritage collections of BAnQ or on one of the following themes: book history, printing history and publishing history in Québec, history and sociology of reading in Québec, and the Aboriginal documentary heritage of Québec. Moreover, the awardees must also participate in dissemination activities related to their research and devote at least 30 hours per week to the project for which they obtained the award if they work or perform other duties on a part-time basis.

Finally, an awardee must:

• be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident within the meaning of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (S.C. 2001, c. 27);
• be a resident of Québec within the meaning of the Health Insurance Act (CQRL, c. A-29);
• have been domiciled in Québec for at least one year.

An awardee may also be a foreign student registered at a Québec university who has a study permit issued by the Government of Canada that is valid for the duration of his studies.

Applicants for a doctoral award may not submit a project more than twice. Persons having received an award under the Research support programme must wait three years before submitting a new project.

A complete application includes  

• A one-page* cover letter;
• The form [Word – 1,39 Mo] (in French only) duly completed, dated and signed;
  If you are unable to fill out this form, help is available. Please contact us by dialing 514 873-1101, extension 6785 (Montréal region) or 1 800 363-9028, extension 6785 (all regions of Québec outside the Montréal region).
• A research paper, namely a copy of a published article or analysis related to the candidate’s areas(s) of research (maximum 15 pages or 6000 words*);
• Two one-page letters of recommendation (maximum 400 words) placed in sealed envelopes and signed across the flap**;
• All transcripts of university studies, duly authenticated by the institution;
• A curriculum vitae (maximum four pages*).

* The extra pages will be removed from the file before it is sent to the jury.

** In the case of a co-supervised project, one of the two letters of recommendation must be signed by the research co-supervisor representing the Québec university.

Language of applications

All items must be written in French or English. Any document in another language must be accompanied by a French translation certified by an accredited translator.

Selection criteria

• Suitability of a project given the objective of promoting BAnQ’s fonds and collections or the objective of completing a research project on one of the following topics: book history, print history and publishing history in Québec; history and sociology of reading in Québec; and the Aboriginal documentary history of Québec;
• Scientific quality of the research;
• Feasibility of the project within the time prescribed by the university to which the candidate is attached;
• Quality and relevance of university training.

Method of selection

Examination of applications by jury members who grant two doctoral awards.

Composition of the jury

Five members, including three members from faculties of Québec universities, representing distinct universities and different disciplines, and two BAnQ representatives.

Annual timetable

Competition closing date: November 15 (the files must be mailed no later than this date; the postmark serves as proof of the mailing date)
Announcement of jury’s decision: No later than March 31
Start date of award: No later than September 1 following announcement of the jury’s decision