Competitions and financial support

2025 Tribute Award
Deadline for nominations: November 21, 2025

Do you know an expert—or are you yourself a COPL alumnus—who stands out for their work and leadership in photonics research and innovation? Submit a nomination now.

This award is intended for a former student who has completed a master’s, doctoral, or postdoctoral program under the supervision of a COPL professor-researcher.

Please note: The nominee must have made an exceptional contribution to the development of the field of photonic optics in research outside COPL or in industry.

Submitting an application
• One-page nomination submitted by a faculty member
• Candidate’s CV
• Deadline: November 21, 2025 – 11:59 p.m.
• Send to: copl@copl.ulaval.ca

Honor Awarded

• Invitation to the Annual Conference
• Visibility in the network’s media
• Presentation of the honoree’s career
• 5-minute speech by the honoree
• Presentation of a plaque

Emerging Entrepreneur Award 2025
Deadline for nominations: November 21, 2025

Whether you are a high-tech entrepreneur or recognized for your leadership in technological innovation, this award is for you.

Description: The Emerging Entrepreneur Award recognizes a former student of the COPL strategic cluster who has distinguished themselves by developing or deploying a technological innovation resulting from the research work of a team led by a faculty member.

Eligibility
• Have obtained your most recent degree within the last five years at the time of application (September 2020).
• Have completed a master’s, doctoral, or postdoctoral program under the supervision of a COPL professor and/or researcher.
• Have actively participated in the commercialization of a discovery or technology with an economic or societal impact for the province of Quebec.
• The candidate must have demonstrated leadership through strategic and significant contributions:
– within a COPL research team that has developed and transferred a technology;
– within a company whose products, either commercialized or in development, are the result of work carried out in the academic laboratories of COPL members;
– as founder or co-founder of a company whose objective is to commercialize such technology.

Selection criteria

Having distinguished themselves during the innovation process:
• through their ability to acquire and apply cross-functional skills to promote discovery, technology development, or product commercialization;
• through leadership and the ability to bring together collaborators, partners, and impact advisors to advance the project.

How to submit an application?
• Write a cover letter explaining, in order: the context, the results obtained and anticipated, and the candidate’s contributions in relation to each of the criteria mentioned above (free style, maximum 2 pages).
• Attach a letter of recommendation from a professor and/or researcher who is a member of COPL (free format, 1 page).
• Attach a short CV (free format, maximum 4 pages).

Send the complete list of required documents to copl@copl.ulaval.ca before November 21 at 11:59 p.m.

Award and honor received
• $1,000 prize
o Commitment to give an online presentation to COPL students
• Award ceremony and presentation of the honoree’s career path
• 5-minute speech by the honoree
• Visibility across the network’s communication platforms

International Collaboration Grant
Maximum $5,000 per project (total budget: $20,000)

The international outreach of COPL, its members and its ambitious research projects are fundamental to the deployment of the cluster and the consolidation of Quebec’s leadership in optics-photonics. COPL supports initiatives aimed at strengthening its leadership through collaborations between its members (professors or students) and international teaching and/or research institutions.

New features of the program: Mobility can be outgoing or incoming. As a result, a member can use this financial leverage to invite an international researcher to his or her home institution. Funding can cover travel expenses and professional fees in exchange for a service (seminar); Open Access publication fees for a co-publication resulting from the international collaboration (to be eligible, a journal must not charge subscription fees).

How to apply?
The member must submit a project requiring travel to the partner’s laboratory, or travel by a partner to the member’s laboratory, to develop a collaborative research project or apply for joint funding.

The selected person must submit a progress report to the COPL within 2 months of completing the stay.

* If an amount to cover publication costs has been claimed, the report should include an invoice for the costs and a copy of the article.

The trip must be completed before December 30, 2026. Proof of ticket purchase and confirmation that travel has taken place will be required.

The application must include the following information:

A. Outgoing mobility:

A.1. Letter from candidate member (maximum 3 pages) including:
– Contact information for the host institution;
– A description of the international host institution;
– The objective and general description of the project;
– Expected spin-offs and structuring character;
– Dates of the stay;
– An estimate of anticipated project expenses (the maximum amount awarded is $5,000).

A.2. Letter of invitation from the host establishment (maximum 1 page) including:
– A statement that the member has been invited;
– A brief description of the project;
– The dates of the stay.

B. Incoming mobility:

B.1. Letter from candidate member (maximum 3 pages) including:
– The contact details of the visiting researcher, including the name of his/her home institution;
– A description of the COPL-relevant research activities carried out at the home institution;
– The objective and general description of the project;
– Expected spin-offs and structuring character;
– Dates on which the visit will take place.
– A description of the seminar offered and the planned date;
* Plan for a high-quality online or co-modal seminar accessible to all COPL members;
– An estimate of travel expenses (maximum $2000, type of ticket must comply with FRQ administrative guidelines), honoraria (maximum $1000 per seminar) and anticipated publication costs*.

B.2 Letter from the invited person (maximum 1 page) including:
– Mention of collaborators involved;
– A description of the project and seminar offered;
– Dates of the stay.

*Claiming Open Access publication costs:
If it is envisaged that the collaboration will lead to a joint publication between a regular COPL member and the international research partner, it is possible to claim the costs.

– The journal in which the co-authors wish to publish their article and the costs must be included in the project’s financial package.
– Please note that the grant is limited to $5,000. It is understood that cost overruns will be absorbed by the research member.

Selection criteria
– Clarity and precision of goals
– Matching with COPL’s research program
– Spin-offs and structuring nature of the collaboration (benefits for the researcher, development of expertise, possibility of long-term collaboration, participation in international networks)
– Quality of the partner institution

Co-direction Grant and Financial Support for Inter-institutional Collaboration
Up to $5,000 per project (projected budget: $30,000)

Exchanges between member institutions stimulate synergy, structure collaborations and promote interdisciplinarity.

Two types of financial support are offered:

A- Co-supervision scholarships are COPL’s preferred means of enabling students to gain unique, versatile experience and discover the complementary infrastructures of co-supervisors.

B- New features of the program: Reimbursement of Open Access publication fees for inter-institutional co-publication are now eligible up to a maximum of $5,000 per project.

How to apply?
A- Co-supervision scholarship: To be eligible, the student must be co-supervised by two regular COPL members from two different academic institutions. The student may have already begun his or her program in 2025, or be in the process of beginning it in the fall 2025, winter and summer 2026 semesters.

The scholarship application must include the following documents:

1. Letter from the principal supervisor (maximum 1.5 pages) identifying:
• co-supervisor’s contact information;
• the student’s program of study;
• the semester in which the work is to begin, if applicable;
• the structuring nature of the collaboration.

2. Student’s cover letter (maximum 1.5 pages) containing:
• a description of the research project, highlighting the contributions of both co-directors;
• an outline of the work and collaboration (theoretical or experimental work, planned visits to institutions, planned supervision or co-supervision);
• other elements relevant to the benefits of co-direction for the student member.

3. Curriculum vitae of the student member, highlighting his or her leadership skills.

Evaluation
– Structuring nature of collaboration for COPL (inter-institutional, interdisciplinary, integration into research networks, expected spin-offs)
– Description of project and student’s role (clarity and precision of plan, particularly for next year)
– Student motivation and leadership

B- Reimbursement of Access publication fees
To be eligible, the principal investigator must write a letter (maximum 1 page) requesting reimbursement of publication fees for an article having two co-authors who are regular or associate members of COPL from two different institutions outlining the nature of the collaboration and the impact of the work.

Include :
– Invoice for publication costs
– Copy of article

Student Co-directorship for New Researchers
*$5,000 x 6 scholarships available (budget: $30,000)

Research collaborations between peers at the same institution through student co-directorships, where at least one of the directors is a new researcher, enable new researchers to increase the scope of their projects and accelerate the start-up of their research. With this program, COPL aims to encourage the next generation of researchers to reach their full potential.

New features of the program: Co-directorships between professors-researchers from the same institution are eligible, provided that the research director of the student member is in the “new researcher“ category (New researcher=member holding a regular position at a university but who are not yet associate member at the time of application, typically less than 5 years in the position).

How do I apply?
To be eligible, the student must be co-supervised by two COPL members, whose supervisor is in the “new researcher” category. The student must be identified and present in Canada. The scholarship will be paid out once the student has begun his or her program of study, no later than September 2026.

The application must consist of the following documents:

1. Letter from the principal supervisor (maximum 1.5 pages) identifying:
– co-supervisor’s contact information;
– the student’s program of study;
– the semester in which the work is to begin, if applicable;
– the structuring nature of the collaboration.

2. Student’s cover letter (maximum 1.5 pages) containing:
– a description of the research project, highlighting the contributions of both co-directors;
– an outline of the work and collaboration (theoretical or experimental work, planned visits to institutions, planned supervision or co-supervision);
– other elements relevant to the benefits of co-direction for the student member.

3. Curriculum vitae of the student member, highlighting his or her leadership skills.

Evaluation
• Structuring nature of collaboration for COPL (interdisciplinarity, integration into research networks, expected spin-offs)
• Project description and student’s role (clarity and precision of the plan, particularly for the next year)
• Student motivation and leadership

Access Grant to Scientific Platforms for New Researchers < 5 years old
* $5,000 maximum per project (budget: $20,000)

This entirely new financial support program is in line with COPL’s ongoing project to pool its research infrastructure, and with the broader goal of providing access to major infrastructures for new researchers.

New features of the program: The program can be used to cover laboratory access fees, technician fees, Open Access publication fees for new researchers.

How do I apply?
To be eligible, a member must submit a project proposal, explaining the anticipated costs and benefits. The project must be completed within one year of receiving funding. A progress report must be submitted to COPL within 2 months of project completion.

The funding application must include the following information:

1. Letter from applicant member (maximum 1 page) including:
– The contact details of the person receiving the funding;
– A description of the project, including targeted platforms and/or publication journals;
– Expected spin-offs and structuring character;
– Project costs (the maximum amount awarded is $5,000).

Selection criteria
• Clarity and precision of the project combined with the use of the targeted platform or type of review
• Fit with COPL’s research programming
• Spin-offs and structuring nature of the project (benefits for the researcher, development of expertise, outreach, collaborations)

Soutien financier aux collaborations internationales
*Maximum 5000 $ par projet (budget total prévu: 20 000 $)

Le rayonnement international du COPL, de ses membres et de ses audacieux projets de recherche est fondamental au déploiement du regroupement et à la consolidation du leadership québécois en optique-photonique. Le COPL appuie les initiatives visant à renforcer son leadership par des collaborations entre ses membres (professeur.es ou étudiant.es) et des établissements d’enseignements et/ou de recherche à l’international.

Nouveautés du programme: La mobilité peut être sortante ou entrante. Par conséquent, un membre peut utiliser ce levier financier pour inviter une chercheuse ou un chercheur international.e dans son établissement d’attache. Le financement peut couvrir des frais de déplacement et des honoraires en échange d’une prestation de service (séminaire); des frais de publication Open Access pour une co-publication résultant de la collaboration internationale (pour être admissible, une revue ne doit pas facturer de frais d’abonnement).

Comment postuler?
La personne membre doit proposer un projet qui nécessite un déplacement dans le laboratoire du partenaire ou du déplacement d’un partenaire dans le laboratoire du membre visant le développement d’un travail de recherche collaboratif ou d’une demande de financement conjoint.

La personne sélectionnée devra remettre un rapport de progrès au COPL dans les 2 mois suivant la réalisation du séjour.

* Si un montant pour couvrir les frais de publication a été réclamé, le rapport devra inclure une facture des frais et copie de l’article.

Le séjour doit être réalisé avant le 30 décembre 2026. Une preuve d’achat du titre de transport et la confirmation que le déplacement a eu lieu seront requises.

La demande doit être constituée des renseignements suivants:

A. Mobilité sortante 

A.1. Lettre de la personne membre candidate (maximum 3 pages) incluant:
– Les coordonnées de la personne-ressource dans l’établissement d’accueil;
– Une description de l’établissement d’accueil à l’international;
– L’objectif et une description générale du projet;
– Les retombées attendues et le caractère structurant;
– Les dates de réalisation du séjour;
• Une estimation des dépenses anticipées pour la réalisation du projet (le montant maximal accordé est de 5 000 $).

A.2. Lettre d’invitation de l’établissement d’accueil (maximum 1 page) incluant:
– La mention que la personne membre est invitée;
– Une brève description du projet;
– Les dates de réalisation du séjour.

B. Mobilité entrante

B.1. Lettre de la personne membre candidate (maximum 3 pages) incluant:
– Les coordonnées de la chercheuse ou du chercheur invité.e incluant le nom de son établissement d’attache;
– Une description des activités de recherche pertinentes au COPL menées dans l’établissement d’attache;
– L’objectif et une description générale du projet;
– Les retombées attendues et le caractère structurant;
– Les dates de réalisation de la visite;
– Une description du séminaire offert et la date prévue;
* Prévoir un séminaire en ligne ou comodal de bonne qualité accessible à l’ensemble des membres du COPL;
– Une estimation des frais de déplacement (maximum 2000$, le type de billet doit respecter les directives administratives du FRQ), des honoraires (maximum 1000 $ par séminaire et frais de publication anticipés*).

B.2. Lettre de la personne invitée (maximum 1 page) incluant:
– La mention des collaboratrices et collaborateurs impliqué.es.s;
– Une description du projet et du séminaire offert;
– Les dates de réalisation du séjour.

*Réclamation de frais de publication Open Access :
S’il est envisagé que la collaboration mène en une copublication conjointe entre un membre régulier du COPL et le partenaire chercheur international, il est possible d’en réclamer les frais.

• La revue dans laquelle les coauteurs souhaitent publier leur article et les couts doivent être inscrits dans le montage financier du projet.
• À noter que le montant de la subvention est limité à 5000 $. Il est entendu que les dépassements de couts soient absorbés par le membre chercheur.

Critères de sélection
• Clarté et précision des objectifs
• Adéquation avec la programmation de recherche du COPL
• Retombées et caractère structurant de la collaboration (bénéfices pour le chercheur, développement de l’expertise, possibilité de collaboration à long terme, participation à des réseaux internationaux)
• Qualité de l’établissement partenaire de cette collaboration

Bourse de codirection et soutien financier pour collaborations interinstitutionnelles
*5 000 $ maximum par projet (budget prévu: 30 000$)

Les échanges entre institutions membres du regroupement stimulent la synergie, structurent les collaborations et favorisent l’interdisciplinarité.
Deux types de soutien financier sont offerts :

A. Les bourses de codirection sont le moyen privilégié du COPL pour permettre aux étudiantes et étudiants d’acquérir une expérience unique, polyvalente et de découvrir les infrastructures complémentaires des co-superviseurs.

B. Nouveautés du programme: Le remboursement des frais de publication Open Access pour copublication interinstitutionnelle sont maintenant admissibles jusqu’à l’atteinte du maximum de 5 000$ par projet.

Comment postuler ?

A. Bourses de codirection
Pour être admissible, l’étudiant.e doit être codirigé.e par deux membres réguliersdu COPL en provenance de deux établissements universitaires différents. L’étudiant.e peut avoir déjà commencé son programme en 2025 ou être en voie de le commencer aux sessions d’automne 2025, d’hiver et d’été 2026.

La demande de bourse doit être constituée des documents suivants:

1. Lettre de la directrice ou du directeur de recherche principal (maximum 1.5 page) identifiant:

• les coordonnées de la codirectrice ou du codirecteur;
• le programme d’études de l’étudiant.e;
• la session visée pour le début des travaux, le cas échéant;
• le caractère structurant de la collaboration.

2. Lettre de motivation de l’étudiant.e (maximum 1.5 page) contenant:

• une description du projet de recherche qui met en valeur les contributions des deux codirections;
• un aperçu du déroulement des travaux et de la collaboration (travail de nature théorique ou expérimentale, séjours prévus dans les institutions, suivi prévu pour la supervision ou cosupervision);
• autres éléments pertinents quant aux bénéfices de la codirection pour le membre étudiant.

3. Curriculum vitae du membre étudiant faisant ressortir son leadership.

Évaluation
•Caractère structurant de la collaboration pour le COPL (interinstitutionnel, interdisciplinaire, intégration à des réseaux de recherche, retombées attendues)
• Description du projet et rôle de l’étudiant.e (clarté et précision du plan, en particulier pour la prochaine année)
• Motivation et leadership de l’étudiant.e

B. Remboursement des frais de publication Open Access
Pour être admissible, le chercheur principal doit rédiger une lettre (maximum 1 page) demandant le remboursement des frais de publication d’un article ayant deux coauteurs membres réguliers ou associés du COPL provenant de deux institutions différentes exposant la nature de la collaboration et l’impact des travaux.

Inclure :
– Facture des frais de publication
– Copie de l’article

Bourse de codirection pour nouveaux chercheurs
*5 000 $ x 6 bourses disponibles (budget : 30 000$)

Les collaborations de recherche entre pairs d’un même établissement à travers la codirection étudiante, dont au moins un des directeurs fait partie des nouveaux chercheurs, permettent à ces derniers d’accroître la portée de leurs projets et d’accélérer le démarrage de leur recherche. Le COPL souhaite par ce programme encourager la relève à déployer son plein potentiel.

Nouveautés du programme: La codirection entre professeurs-chercheurs d’un même établissement est admissible pourvu que le directeur ou la directrice de recherche du membre étudiant soit dans la catégorie « nouveau chercheur »  (Nouveau chercheur=membre professeur occupant un poste régulier dans une université, mais qui n’est pas encore agrégé au moment de la demande, typiquement moins de 5 ans dans la fonction).

Comment postuler ?
Pour être admissible, l’étudiant.e doit être codirigé.e par deux membres du COPL dont le directeur ou la directrice est dans la catégorie “nouveau chercheur“. L’étudiant.e doit être identifié.e et être présent.e au Canada. La bourse sera versée une fois que l’étudiant.e aura commencé son programme d’étude au plus tard en septembre 2026.

La demande de bourse doit être constituée des documents suivants:

1. Lettre de la directrice ou du directeur de recherche principal (maximum 1.5 page) identifiant:
   – les coordonnées de la codirectrice ou du codirecteur;
   – le programme d’études de l’étudiant.e;
   – la session visée pour le début des travaux, le cas échéant;
   – le caractère structurant de la collaboration.

2. Lettre de motivation de l’étudiant.e (maximum 1.5 page) contenant:
   – une description du projet de recherche qui met en valeur les contributions des deux codirections;
   – un aperçu du déroulement des travaux et de la collaboration (travail de nature théorique ou expérimentale, séjours prévus dans les institutions, suivi prévu pour la supervision ou cosupervision);
   – autres éléments pertinents quant aux bénéfices de la codirection pour le membre étudiant.

3. Curriculum vitae du membre étudiant faisant ressortir son leadership.

Évaluation
•Caractère structurant de la collaboration pour le COPL (interdisciplinarité, intégration à des réseaux de recherche, retombées attendues)
• Description du projet et rôle de l’étudiant.e (clarté et précision du plan, en particulier pour la prochaine année)
• Motivation et leadership de l’étudiant.e

Soutien financier d’accès aux plateformes scientifiques pour nouveaux chercheurs < 5 ans
*5 000 $ maximum par projet (budget : 20 000$)

Entièrement nouveau, ce programme de soutien financier s’inscrit dans la continuité du projet de mutualisation du parc d’infrastructures de recherche caractérisant le COPL ainsi que dans une perspective plus large d’accès à des infrastructures majeures pour les nouveaux chercheurs.

Nouveautés du programme: Le programme peut servir à couvrir les frais d’accès aux laboratoires, les honoraires du personnel technique, les frais de publication Open Access pour les nouveaux chercheurs.

Comment postuler ?
Pour être admissible, la personne membre doit proposer un projet, expliquer les frais anticipés pour le réaliser et les retombées attendues. Le projet doit être entièrement réalisé dans l’année suivant l’obtention du financement. Un rapport de réalisation devra être transmis au COPL dans les 2 mois suivant la concrétisation du projet.

La demande de financement doit être constituée des renseignements suivants:

1. Lettre de la personne membre candidate (maximum 1 page) incluant:
   – Les coordonnées de la personne bénéficiaire;
   – Une description du projet dont les plateformes et/ou les revues de publications ciblées;
   – Les retombées attendues et le caractère structurant;
   – Les couts de réalisation du projet (le montant maximal accordé est de 5 000 $).

Critères de sélection
– Clarté et précision du projet combiné à l’utilisation de la plateforme ou le type de revue ciblé
– Adéquation avec la programmation de recherche du COPL
– Retombées et caractère structurant du projet (bénéfices pour le chercheur, développement de l’expertise, rayonnement, collaborations)

Winter competition
3 scholarships of  $5000 

Application dates:
February 10 to 28, 2025

(1 scholarship reserved for a student led by a young researcher)

Mobility between member institutions stimulates synergy, structures collaborations and fosters interdisciplinarity. Co-supervision grants are COPL’s preferred means of enabling students to gain unique experience and discover the complementary infrastructures of co-supervisors.

How do I apply?

To be eligible, the student must be co-supervised by two regular COPL members from two different academic institutions. Students may have already begun their program in 2024, or be in the process of starting it in the winter, summer or fall of 2025.

The application must include the following documents:

1. Letter from the principal supervisor (maximum 1.5 pages) identifying:
– Co-supervisor’s contact information;
– the student’s program of study;
– the semester in which the work is to begin, if applicable;
– the structuring nature of the collaboration.

2. Letter of motivation from the student (maximum 1.5 pages) containing :
– a description of the research project, highlighting the contributions of both co-directors;
– an outline of the work and collaboration (theoretical or experimental work, planned visits to institutions, planned supervision or co-supervision);
– other elements relevant to the benefits of co-direction for the student member.

3. Curriculum vitae of the student member, highlighting his or her leadership skills.

Evaluation criteria:

•  Structuring nature of the collaboration for COPL (inter-institutional, interdisciplinary, integration into research networks, expected results).
• Description of project and student’s role (clarity and precision of plan, particularly for next year)
•  Student motivation and leadership

To submit your application or if you have any further questions, please write to copl@copl.ulaval.ca

Winter competition
2 grants of $5000 

Call for applications:
February 10 to 28, 2025

The international outreach of COPL, its members and its daring research projects is fundamental to the deployment of the cluster and the consolidation of Quebec’s leadership in photonic optics. COPL supports initiatives aimed at strengthening its position in the ecosystem through collaborations between its members (professors or students) and international teaching and/or research institutions.

How to apply?

To be eligible, the member must present a project that requires travel to the partner’s laboratory, and aims to develop mutual research work or a joint funding application. The selected member must submit a progress report to COPL within 2 months of completing the visit.

The stay must be completed by December 31, 2025. The grant will only be transferred on presentation of proof of stay.

The application must include the following information:

1. Letter from the applicant, maximum 3 pages, including:
– Contact information for the host institution;
– A description of the international host institution;
– The objective and general description of the project;
– Expected spin-offs and structuring character;
– Dates of the stay;
– An estimate of expenses, i.e. how the budget will be used (the maximum amount awarded is $5,000).

2. Letter of invitation from the host institution (maximum one page) including:
– The name of the invited member;
– A description of the project;
– Dates of the stay.

Evaluation criteria:

– Clarity and precision of objectives
– Suitability with COPL’s research program
– Spin-offs and structuring nature of the collaboration (benefits for the researcher, development of expertise, possibility of long-term collaboration, participation in international networks)
– Quality of host institution

To submit your application or if you have any further questions, please write to copl@copl.ulaval.ca

The Virtual Student Symposium will take place on Tuesday, March 19th, from 12:00 PM to 1:45 PM

You have until Sunday March 10th to register.

REGISTRATION FORM

The speech contest organized by COPL aims to provide a platform for student members to present their research projects developed during their graduate studies.

In the form of a friendly competition, speakers are invited to present the context of their research, objectives, methodology, results, and next steps within a 5-minute timeframe. It’s suggested to use visual support and to highlight the fields of application of the research object.

Following the presentation, 2 minutes will be dedicated to audience questions.

The 2 speakers who stand out for the quality, content and relevance of their presentation will receive a prize awarded by industrial collaborators, EXFO company and Institut national d’optique (INO).

1st place – $500 (EXFO)
2nd place – $300 (INO)

Award recipients will benefit from visibility on the COPL website and LinkedIn page (announcement of finalists and possible rebroadcast of the presentation).

Eligibility

• Be a full-time master’s or doctoral student
• Present in either French or English (both languages accepted for the presentation)
• Belo Be part of one of the 8 institutions and be under the supervision of a professor who is a member of the COPL (Concordia U, ÉTS Montréal, INRS, McGill U, Polytechnique Montréal, U.Laval, UQTR, U. Sherbrooke).

Assessment
Composition of the jury

• 2 members of the COPL among research professionals and postdoctoral researchers
• 2 industry members from the organizations that will present the awards

Evaluation criteria

Details:

Understanding the topic: Judges will assess your understanding of the subject. Make sure you master the concepts you present.

Ability to captivate the audience: The jury will observe your ability to maintain the audience’s attention and your enthusiasm to present.

Quality and relevance of visual supports: Reviewers will be influenced by the quality and design of the visual materials.

Respect for Time: Respect for associated time is important. The jury will analyze the balance of time devoted to each point presented.

Clarity and structure of the speech: The logical organization and clarity of the speech will be effective. Make sure your presentation has an introduction, development and conclusion.

Research objectives and impact: Make sure you clearly define the objective of your research and illustrate what its impact will be. Highlight the most important aspects that distinguish your research proposal and its impact for the advancement of knowledge or the development of innovative technologies.

Answers to Questions: How you answer questions from the audience or judges can also influence your evaluation. Be prepared to answer concisely and clearly.

REGISTRATION FORM

Support for inter-group projects
Amount: $10,000 ($5,000 per cluster/2 minimum) – Enhanced according to the number of clusters involved
Deadline: October 2, 2023

COPL is joining forces with CQMF, INTRIQ, ReSMiQ, RQMP and STARacom to launch a financial support program designed to stimulate projects involving several strategic clusters.

Two categories of projects can be supported by this program: 1) Application-oriented projects; 2) Fundamental research projects.

Co-Principal Investigators must indicate to which category their project belongs in the application form. The evaluators will take this into account by applying different criteria according to the type of project (see list of evaluation criteria).

Project eligibility criteria

• The principal applicant must be a co-investigator affiliated with one of the strategic cluster participating in this program.
• The official composition of the team presented in the funding application must include at least two (2) co-investigators belonging to distinct strategic cluster, including the principal applicant of one or other of the cluster involved.
• The minimum number of groups represented by the affiliations of the co-investigators working on the project must be two (2).
• Team members may also include collaborators. However, their affiliation cannot be used to calculate the number of strategic cluster represented in the application.
• Co-investigators may only be included in the official composition of a single application.
• Teams receiving funding must submit a detailed breakdown of the amount received, in accordance with FRQNT rules.
• Researchers belonging to several clusters must participate by choosing a single affiliation (the most relevant to the project presented).

Evaluation criteria

1. Project work plan (10/50): the project must have a clear and coherent work plan demonstrating a high probability of achieving the objectives within the proposed timeframe.

2. Team composition and scientific merit (10/50): the composition of the team must include researchers whose affiliation favors the greatest possible diversity in terms of participating group and competence. The project must be scientifically sound and generate new knowledge or apply existing knowledge in an innovative way.

3. Research competence (10/50): the research team must have the necessary expertise to meet the defined objectives and bring the project to fruition. Academic expertise can be complemented by the know-how of potential industrial partners.

4a. Expected spin-offs and impacts (10/50): the proposal should indicate how the research work will benefit the economy, health, the environment or other users within a reasonable timeframe. A tangible impact must be demonstrated, as well as the benefits in terms of the outreach of the participating groups. The participation of industrial partners will be taken into account. The proposal must explain how the support obtained from the clusters will make it possible to apply for an appropriate grant from NSERC, FRQNT or any other funding agency.

4b. Scientific challenge (10/50): the proposal must highlight the fundamental aspect of the research or proof of concept, the scientific advances the project is expected to make and their impact.

5. Contribution to the training of highly qualified personnel (10/50): the proposal should highlight the research training of the students who will be involved in the project.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Applied research projects (category 1) will be evaluated according to criteria 1, 2, 3, 4a, and 5; Fundamental research projects (category 2) will be evaluated according to criteria 1, 2, 3, 4b, and 5.

For more information on this support program and to find the application form, visit the official ReSMiQ competition page and contact Eric Legua(eric.legua@resmiq.org).

Student co-supervision scholarships
Amount: $5000
Deadline: No calls for the moment 

Mobility between member institutions of the cluster stimulates interdisciplinary knowledge and cross-disciplinary applications. Co-direction grants are the means favoured by COPL to encourage this complementarity of expertise.

For the 2023-2024 fiscal year, two $5000 scholarships are available.

COPL faculty members have until June 1, 2023 to nominate a student.

How to apply?

To be eligible, the student must be co-supervised by two COPL members from two different academic institutions.

The application must consist of a project description of no more than one page, a CV of no more than two pages and a letter from the principal supervisor.

Evaluation criteria:

• Student excellence: publication record, accomplishments, scholarship
• Leadership, social involvement, professional development activities
• Structuring character of the co-direction within the COPL

To submit your application or if you have any questions, please write to us at copl@copl.ulaval.ca

Support for online training activities
Amount: Up to $5,000
Deadline: No calls for the moment 

The COPL wishes to encourage the development of online training tools and distance learning courses in order to share knowledge and best practices with stakeholders. To this end, COPL members (students, post-doctoral researchers, research professionals or professors) are invited to apply for funding for such training projects. The COPL offers support up to $5000 per project.

2 awards are available for the 2023-2024 fiscal year.

How to apply?

The application for support must include a description of the project’s objectives, the pedagogical tools to be developed (deliverables), the target clientele, the team involved, a timeline and a budget. The request can be written in free format in a document not exceeding 5 pages.

Evaluation criteria:

OBJECTIVES
Are the objectives clearly stated? Are they compatible with the development of online learning tools and distance education courses?

DELIVERABLES
Does the project bring a new, original and sustainable contribution?

TARGET GROUP
Can the project’s scope be quantified? Will the learning tools benefit a large number of COPL students?

TEAM
Does the team have the resources to complete the project?

DEADLINE
Is the timetable realistic?

BUDGET
Is the intended use of the COPL contribution clearly explained?

To submit your application or if you have any questions, please write to us at copl@copl.ulaval.ca

Grant to strengthen international collaborations
Amount: Up to $5,000
Deadline: No calls for the moment

International initiatives aimed at strengthening collaborations are part of COPL’s development priorities. By supporting the networking of its members in international research communities, it contributes to the deployment and consolidation of Quebec’s expertise in optics-photonics beyond its borders.

For the 2023-2024 fiscal year, two scholarships, each of up to $5,000, are available to its members.

To take advantage of the financial support, we invite regular member professors to submit an application for support by June 1, 2023.

Two main evaluation criteria:

• The overall objective and expected impact
• Planned co-publications or participation in conferences or workshops

How to apply?

The application is free-form, but must include the following information:

• First name, last name and home university of the principal applicant
• The first and last name of the student or researcher involved in the application
• The contact information of the international contact person at the institution
• The general objective and expected impact of the international collaboration project
  • Details on planned co-publications or participation in conferences or workshops, if any
  • Information on authors’ names, journals or conference titles, if applicable
• Assessment of expenses, i.e., use of budget (maximum amount awarded is $5,000)

To submit your application or if you have any questions, please write to us at copl@copl.ulaval.ca

2024 Tribute Award 
Deadline for nominations: January 27, 2025

Eligibility
• The former student must have completed a master’s, PhD, or postdoctoral program under the direction of a COPL research professor.

Selection criteria
• The former student must have made an outstanding contribution to the development of the field of optics and photonics, either in the research community outside COPL or in the industry.

Submission of an application
• One page presentation of the application by a faculty member
• CV of the candidate
• Deadline: January 27th, 2025
• Send to: copl@copl.ulaval.ca

Evaluation
• By the Executive Committee

Honour awarded
• Invitation to the Annual Conference
• Visibility within the network’s media
• Presentation of the honoree’s career
• 5-minute speech by the honoree
• Awarding of a plaque

Antsar Rih Hlil, PhD student
2020 recipient of a $5,000 scholarship

Director: Younès Messaddeq, Université Laval
Co-director: Raman Kashyap, Polytechnique Montréal

Project: Experimental methodology for the fabrication of novel photosensitive materials in the form of PDMS.

Cheng Jiang, PhD student
2020 recipient of a $5,000 scholarship

Director: Jinyang Liang, INRS
Co-director: Frédéric Leblond, Polytechnique Montréal

Project: High-Speed Spatial-Frequency Domain Imaging using Band-Limited Image Projection.

Joël Edouard Nkeck, PhD student
2020 recipient of a $5,000 scholarship

Director: François Blanchard, École de technologie supérieure (ÉTS)
Co-director: Denis Morris, Université de Sherbrooke

Xianglei LIU, PhD student
2020 recipient of a $5,000 scholarship

Director: Jinyang LIANG, INRS
Co-director: Daniel Côté, Université Laval

Project: Single-shot Wide-field Mapping of Partial Oxygen Saturation.

Asma Mimouni, PhD student
Recipient of a $5,000 scholarship in 2022

Director: Bora Ung, École de technologie supérieure (ÉTS)
Co-director: Younès Messaddeq, Université Laval

Mohamad Taherian, PhD student
2022 recipient of a $5,000 scholarship

Director: Martin Bolduc
Co-director: Sylvain Cloutier

Project: Ultra-rapid annealing processes and non-contact in-line characterization tools for localized control during the print fabrication of flexible materials and sensors.

Hugo Le Moel, PhD student
2023 recipient of a $5,000 scholarship

Director: Frédéric Leblond, Polytechnique Montréal
Co-director: Daniel Côté, Université Laval

Project: Raman spectroscopy system for real-time detection tissues responsible for focal cortical dysplasia (FCD).

Fariha Mehjabin, PhD student
2023 recipient of a $5,000 scholarship

Director: Martin Rochette, McGill University
Co-director: Younes Messaddeq, Université Laval

Project: BGG fiber optic couplers

Pablo Bianucci, Professor, Concordia University
International Collaboration Grant 2022

Objectives: Visit of two research groups to strengthen collaborations.
– Institute of Applied Physics “Nello Carrara” (IFAC) in Florence, Italy
– Politecnico de Bari in Bari, Italy

Christine Tremblay, Professor, École de technologie supérieure (ÉTS)
International Collaboration Grant 2022

Objectives: Strengthen international collaborations and multidisciplinary and complementary activities between École de technologie supérieure (ÉTS) and Institut Polytechnique de Paris/Télécom SudParis (TSP)

Jinyang Liang, Professor, INRS
for Yingming Lai and Miguel Marquez, PhD students
International Collaboration Grant 2022

Objectives: This grant inaugurates the collaboration between the research teams of prof. Jinyanf Liang’s from INRS and prof. Henry Arguello from the Universidad Industrial de Santander (UIS). It will enable the integration of advanced deep-learning algorithms into novel computational imaging systems

Jérôme Genest, Professor, Université Laval
for Mathieu Walsh, PhD student
International Collaboration Grant 2022

Objectives: To strengthen collaborations with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in Boulder, Colorado, U.S.A.

“COPL’s support will therefore have helped to firm up our collaborations with NIST, but also to initiate fruitful collaborations with 3 separate groups at the University of Colorado. At least 3 conference presentations have already been accepted, and 3 scientific papers will be produced by the end of 2023.”

Martin Bernier, Professor, Université Laval
for Lauris Talbot, PhD student
International Collaboration Grant 2023

Objectives: Collaboration with Stanford University to conceptualize and demonstrate the first athermal Volumetric Bragg Grating (VBG).

François Blanchard, Professor, École de technologie supérieur (ÉTS)
for Rejeena R. Sebastian, PhD student
International Collaboration Grant 2023

Objectives: Collaboration with Nagoya University in Japan to develop a broadband terahertz (THz) pulse detection method using frequency difference and parametric amplification.

Daniel Côté, Professor, Université Laval
for Shadi Masoumi, PhD student
International Collaboration Grant 2023

Objectives: Intensify collaborations with the Wellman Center for Photomedicine at Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard University, Boston, USA.

The research aims to develop and test a technique incorporating a catheter in a DBS (Deep Brain Stimulation) electrode that could be used to map white matter architecture in ex vivo brain tissue for guidance during surgical interventions to treat movement disorders such as Parkinson’s disease.

To come