INRS pulling together for philanthropy
INRS (Institut national de la recherche scientifique) held its first Philanthropy Week this year from October 19 to 23. The Foundation sent out an invitation to the entire INRS community. Some 100 members took part in the series of daily virtual workshops where staff and faculty members, graduates, students, and members of the Foundation’s board of directors came together to discuss the question “What are your dreams for INRS?”
While Philanthropy Week offered a convivial opportunity to talk to members of the INRS community about their dreams and aspirations, it was also a chance to spread the word about the various initiatives launched by the Foundation for the benefit of its community, including a call for projects for Impulsion INRS, a call for nominations for the 2020 Prix Lumières Awards, and the annual fundraising campaign to foster academic success.
From the outset, INRS director general Luc-Alain Giraldeau delivered an inspiring message for the future of INRS, saying
“I believe in our potential to carry out even more innovative projects… I believe in our ability to go further and be stronger together.”
In the same vein, Foundation director Élise Comtois has positioned it as a lever to help INRS achieve these objectives. She added that each member of the community can make a difference in INRS’s development and outreach.
Some 70 members of the university community took part in the daily videoconference discussions. Several underscored the particular role that INRS can play and how its multidisciplinary activities and research geared toward crucial societal issues should be leveraged in development and outreach activities.
Although Philanthropy Week has come to an end, the Foundation has invited participants to continue their discussions on the future of INRS. The Foundation is embarking on a tour of the Institute’s research centres and teams, and more virtual meetings with community members are planned for the coming weeks.
Thank you to all those who contributed to making this first edition a success!
About the new initiatives announced:
- Prix Lumières Awards 2020
The Prix Lumières Awards recognize graduates whose development and successes serve as an inspiration for our entire community. Applications will be accepted until November 1, 2020. This year’s winners will be unveiled at the (virtual) graduation ceremony on November 28, 2020, at 2 p.m.
- Impulsion INRS
Members of the INRS community are invited to submit funding requests for research initiatives that will increase INRS’s contribution to the economic, social, and cultural development of Quebec. The deadline for submitting proposals is November 30, 2020.
- Annual campaign to foster academic success
The Foundation invites the INRS community to donate to either of the two initiatives in the Support INRS Students Success campaign. The Help Our Students in Precarious Situations Fund helps students struggling with financial difficulties that could jeopardize their studies. The Celebrate the Excellence of Our Students Fund rewards graduates who submitted the best dissertations and theses at each of the four INRS research centres.
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