UNIVERSITE LAVAL

Their core work

Université Laval is a major Canadian research university in Quebec City with deep expertise in Arctic and subarctic research, climate science, and environmental monitoring. They contribute specialized knowledge in permafrost dynamics, boreal forest ecosystems, and arctic observation systems to large European consortia. Beyond environmental sciences, they maintain strong research groups in breast cancer genomics, advanced photonics (specialty optical fibers, femtosecond laser processing), and marine biotechnology — particularly microalgae. As a non-EU institution, they serve as a key transatlantic bridge bringing North American Arctic field infrastructure and Canadian boreal ecosystem data into European research programs.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In the early period (2015–2018), Université Laval's H2020 involvement centered on breast cancer genomics (B-CAST, BRIDGES), optical fiber research (ROAM), and initial Arctic engagement through INTERACT and INTAROS. From 2019 onward, the focus shifted decisively toward Arctic climate science, permafrost, and environmental decision support (Nunataryuk, ARICE, DecisionES, INTERACT phase 2), with advanced materials (FUNGLASS) and transport logistics (ePIcenter) as secondary threads. The health and digital optics work tapered off while climate adaptation and ecosystem services became the dominant research direction.

Université Laval is consolidating around Arctic climate adaptation and environmental decision support — future partners should expect their strongest engagement in polar and boreal ecosystem projects.

How they like to work

Université Laval never coordinates H2020 projects — they consistently join as a participant or third-party partner, which is typical for non-EU institutions in Horizon 2020. With 309 unique consortium partners across 46 countries, they operate as a broadly networked specialist rather than a hub, plugging Canadian Arctic expertise and infrastructure into diverse European-led consortia. Their participation spans large consortia (INTERACT, INTAROS) as well as focused research networks (MSCA actions), suggesting flexibility in how they engage.

With 309 unique consortium partners across 46 countries, Université Laval has one of the broadest collaboration networks of any Canadian institution in H2020. Their reach spans Europe, the circumpolar Arctic nations, and sub-Saharan Africa (via DEMOSTAF), making them a genuinely global connector.

What sets them apart

As a Canadian university, Université Laval offers what few European partners can: direct access to North American Arctic and boreal field sites, Canadian research infrastructure, and a transatlantic perspective on climate data. Their combination of Arctic environmental science with photonics and biomedical genomics is unusual — they can contribute across very different technical domains within the same institution. For consortium builders, they represent a proven non-EU partner with an established track record of navigating Horizon 2020 participation rules as a third country institution.

Highlights from their portfolio

• ARICE
  Largest single EC contribution (EUR 483,631) — a strategic Arctic icebreaker consortium providing transnational access to polar research vessels.
• INTERACT
  Participated in both phases (2016–2021 and 2020–2024), demonstrating long-term commitment to pan-Arctic terrestrial monitoring infrastructure.
• Nunataryuk
  A major permafrost-coastal erosion project linking Arctic science directly to socio-economic adaptation — combines climate science with community co-design.