Concordia researchers fear effects of funding cuts to scientific research

The Quebec government’s plans to cut funding for scientific research in universities have left researchers and administrators worried.

According to The Link, the Fonds de recherche du Québec – Nature et technologies will see a decrease from $50 million to $35 million.

The cuts are due to the ending of the Stratégie québécoise de la recherche et de l’innovation

A new national research policy will provide new funding, but is only to be revealed in 2013-2014.

A group of Quebec researchers have started a petition with over 9000 signatures collected so far.

Assistant professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Concordia Guillaume Lamoureux stated that the FRQNT is responsible for the strategic clusters for research that together work on transdisciplinary questions. Lamoureux states that clusters who do not get their funding renewed would see the end of their research currently in progress.

Concordia has six research teams that receive a total of $285 000 in FRQNT funding.

Associate director of research and development at Concordia Dominique Michaud stated that the university does not yet know what will be the specific impact on the budgets.