UNIVERSITE DU QUEBEC A RIMOUSKI

Their core work

UQAR is a Canadian university specializing in marine sciences, ocean research, and blue biotechnology. Their H2020 involvement centers on marine biodiversity — particularly microalgae and diatom research — and access to oceanographic research infrastructure including research vessels and autonomous underwater vehicles. They bring a North American marine science perspective to European consortia, contributing expertise in cold-water and North Atlantic marine ecosystems.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

UQAR's earliest H2020 involvement (2015) focused on fundamental marine evolutionary biology and species distribution modeling under climate change. By 2017-2019, their participation shifted toward applied marine biotechnology (microalgae cultivation, biorefinery, pigment extraction) and research infrastructure access. The trajectory moves clearly from basic marine ecology toward commercially relevant blue biotechnology and shared oceanographic infrastructure.

UQAR is moving from fundamental marine ecology toward applied blue biotechnology and infrastructure sharing, positioning them as a transatlantic bridge for ocean research consortia.

How they like to work

UQAR never coordinates H2020 projects — they participate as a partner or third party, contributing specialized marine science capabilities to large European-led consortia. With 65 unique partners across 29 countries from just 3 projects, they join very large international networks rather than small focused teams. This suggests they are valued for niche contributions (Canadian marine expertise, North Atlantic access) rather than project management capacity.

Despite only 3 projects, UQAR has connected with 65 partners across 29 countries — a remarkably wide network driven by participation in large infrastructure and MSCA mobility consortia. Their reach spans well beyond Europe, reflecting their role as a non-EU associated partner.

What sets them apart

As a Canadian university in Rimouski (on the St. Lawrence estuary), UQAR offers European consortia direct access to North Atlantic and subarctic marine environments that are otherwise difficult to reach from Europe. Their combination of blue biotechnology expertise and cold-water marine ecology makes them a rare transatlantic partner for ocean-focused projects. For consortium builders, they satisfy the growing demand for international cooperation beyond EU borders.

Highlights from their portfolio

• EurofleetsPlus
  Their only directly funded project (EUR 175,800), part of a major European research fleet alliance — shows UQAR is trusted to contribute research vessel infrastructure from the Canadian side.
• GHaNA
  Five-year project on Haslea microalgae for blue biotechnology and aquaculture — represents UQAR's most commercially relevant research with applications in natural pigments, biorefinery, and antimicrobial compounds.