PRÉCISE 2026-2027 competition
Programme de recherche sur l’évaluation des contaminants et des incidences sur la santé et sur l’environnement (PRÉCISE)
(Contaminants and Environmental Health Impact Assessment Research Program)
2026-2027 competition
Please note: the research program currently open for funding is presented in French by the Fonds de recherche du Québec (FRQ). The excerpts from the program rules presented on this page have been translated by artificial intelligence, and the French version prevails in the event of a discrepancy between the two versions.
Program objectives
This call for proposals, the first in NOHEIC's program, targets innovative research projects with high transformative potential and significant spin-offs for the Quebec population. The call for proposals also aims to mobilize different fields of research, while emphasizing intersectoral and inter-order networking. With a view to sustainable development and health, its main objective is to advance knowledge on the health of communities and individuals in relation to metal contaminants such as those emitted by the Horne smelter.
Targeted research themes
Projects must fit into at least one of the two themes described below.
Theme 1: Assessment of health and wellness risks associated with exposure to contaminants of industrial origin, with priority given to those linked to smelter activities.
Projects may include, but are not limited to:
Risk assessment for populations exposed to emissions - the general population, vulnerable populations, workers, etc. - current or past :
- On physical health (e.g. illnesses, dysfunctions) ;
- On mental health (e.g. feelings of injustice or powerlessness, stress, anxiety, various psychological disorders);
- On community health (e.g. social cohesion, polarization, attachment to territory and community, impact on quality of life, externalities).
The development or adaptation of risk assessment methods, integrating epidemiological, environmental, economic, social or other approaches.
The impact of risk communication approaches and tools on physical, mental and community health. Projects could target both population and individual communication efforts. In addition, projects could look at the reception, perception and understanding of the messages conveyed, as well as the competence and training of risk communicators.
Theme 2: Dynamics and profiles of exposure to contaminants of industrial origin, with priority given to those linked to smelter activities.
Projects may include, but are not limited to, the following:
Methods for measuring contaminants in the human body and verifying their effects (e.g., best practices, recommended tools).
Temporal and spatial mechanisms of exposure (e.g. peak exposures, seasonality, wind direction and speed, particle size and chemical composition).
Habits and behaviors (e.g. lifestyle, types of activity, simple gestures such as hand-washing and housekeeping habits).
Physiological aspects, fate of contaminants (e.g., excretion or bioaccumulation) and impregnation of populations (e.g., via general diet and consumption of edibles harvested, trapped, hunted or fished in smelter footprint areas).
Concepts and methods to consider (non-exhaustive)
Exposure profiles | Reliability and validity of measurement tools and instruments | Biomarkers of exposure, effect or susceptibility | Body burden and cumulative exposure | Synergistic, toxic, metabolic, carcinogenic or mutagenic effects | Toxicokinetic and toxicodynamic models
Additional information
Depending on the targeted research theme or methodology, it may be appropriate to include other regions of Quebec that also have contaminant emissions or contaminants already present in the environment in the projects. The results of the research projects could thus generate more significant spin-offs for the Quebec population, user communities and decision-makers.