Research Support Fund (RSF)
The Research Support Fund (RSF) assists Canadian postsecondary institutions and their affiliated research hospitals and institutes with the expenses associated with managing the research funded by the three federal research granting agencies: Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR).
Indirect Research Costs
Indirect research costs represent the operational expenses that, although they cannot be directly attributed to a specific research project or related to the execution of research work, are nonetheless essential to the overall support of research activities. These are general overhead costs common to several research projects, crucial for creating a research environment.
Among these costs, primarily related to research services and spaces, we can include:
- Administrative Costs: Include salaries of administrative staff, grant management, and accounting.
- Infrastructure: Comprises building maintenance and utilities, refurbishment and renovation of research spaces, and renewal of general equipment.
- Technology: Covers IT and telecommunications services and networks, research data management, as well as maintenance of computer equipment and software.
- Support Services: Encompasses libraries, legal and security support services, including ethical certification and intellectual property management, cleaning, etc.
These costs enable universities and their staff, including researchers, to fulfill their research mission.
Utilization of the Research Support Fund at RMC Saint-Jean
Royal Military College Saint-Jean (RMC Saint-Jean) is grateful for the support made possible through the Research Support Fund. For 2026-27, RMC Saint-Jean will receive $37,231 (indicative grant value). These funds will enable us to launch several initiatives to provide a better research environment. Here are some examples:
Management and administration of an institution's research enterprise
Most of the grant allocated by the Research Support Fund will be invested in research administrative services to consolidate the Research and Valorization Office, and to support research activities (e.g., grant application support, research workshops, etc.). The Research Support Fund will ensure sound grant management and improve processes related to the financial administration of research funds, in collaboration with the Office of the Comptroller, the Finance Department staff, and the Acquisition Department. The grant will also contribute to the professional development of research administration staff. Finally, the acquisition of a software license for research data management aims to ensure effective accountability.
Intellectual Property and Knowledge Mobilization
This category of expenditure focuses on showcasing the expertise of RMC Saint-Jean professors during a Research Valorization Week at the College in 2026.
Research Resources
Last year, with the Research Support Fund, we were able to maintain key documentary resources and acquire new ones, including subscriptions to important databases and scientific journals. A small portion of the 2026-27 grant will be dedicated to acquiring books and periodicals.
Research Facilities
The Research Support Fund will provide support for updating the research content and faculty profiles on the RMC Saint-Jean website.
| Expenditure Category | Notional Amount | Notional Amount Used Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Research Facilities | $2,000 | 5.4 % |
| Research Resources | $2,231 | 6 % |
| Management and administration of the institution's research enterprise | $30,000 | 80.6 % |
| Regulatory requirements and accreditation | $0 | 0 % |
| Intellectual property and knowledge mobilization | $3,000 | 8.1 % |
| Total | 37,231 $ | 100 % |
The Research Support Fund at RMC Saint-Jean: At the Heart of a Growing Research Culture
During the 2025–2026 academic year, the RSF base grant supported the growth of a vibrant research culture at RMC Saint-Jean. This funding contributed to a series of outreach initiatives organized in collaboration with partners from higher education and broader society. Below is an overview of Research Week, an initiative fully aligned with the strategic priorities of the 2024–2029 Strategic Research Plan.
Highlights of the 2026 Research Week
In January 2026, RMC Saint-Jean hosted the first edition Research Week. This knowledge-mobilization initiative aimed to introduce a broad audience to the research conducted by faculty members and students, particularly in the fields of international studies, climate security, and the education of military personnel.
To bring this ambition to life, Research Week centred on three panel discussions—flagship events that highlighted the relevance of the Centre for Research on Security and Crisis Governance (CRITIC), the importance of partnerships, and their contribution to fostering a research culture among students.
The first panel discussion, “Understanding a World in Turmoil: Research at CRITIC,” highlighted CRITIC’s role as a hub for interdisciplinary research on defence, security, and crisis management issues. During the second panel discussion, “Research and Military Education in Security and Defence,” the President of the Institut militaire de Québec, Brigadier-General (Retired) Richard Giguère, underscored the value of collaboration between our research teams and this important partner in the military academic community, highlighting the complementary nature of our educational missions and the unique character of our military university.
Finally, the panel discussion “Emerging Student Leaders in International Studies: The Perspective of Future Officers” highlighted the interest of naval cadets and officer cadets—recipients of undergraduate research initiation scholarships from the Fonds de recherche du Québec—in undergraduate research and graduate studies.
Throughout the week, members of the academic community and government departments took part in the activities, along with Fort Saint-Jean Chapter alumni and residents of the City of Saint-Jean. All had an opportunity to discover the work of our researchers through a kiosk showcasing their publications.
Made possible through the support of the Research Support Fund, this annual event will foster the development of a research culture across the institution and raise awareness of its relevance. Research Week thus supports our key strategic priorities by enhancing the visibility of faculty research among diverse audiences and fostering interaction among members of the Royal Military College Saint-Jean community.
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