Who Can Apply to the Individual Market Access Support (SIAM) in Quebec

Quebec’s Individual Market Access Support (SIAM) helps eligible food processors fund market development activities in long-distribution channels across the province. Administered by Aliments du Québec with support from MAPAQ, the program offers a non-repayable contribution for qualified projects that expand market presence, diversify channels, and strengthen commercialization.

As of the current intake period, the SIAM 2025–26 cycle is reserved for first-time recipients to broaden access. Funding is awarded on a continuous basis until the budget is exhausted. A recent financial prequalification phase closed due to high demand; applicants should expect competitive evaluation and ensure complete, well-justified submissions.

This guide explains who can apply to SIAM, including applicant types, size and revenue thresholds, geographic and project requirements, and common edge cases. Use the self-assessment checklist to quickly gauge your fit before preparing a full application.

Program Overview

The Individual Market Access Support (SIAM) is a Quebec government funding program delivered by Aliments du Québec and supported by MAPAQ. It provides non-repayable contributions to help organizations:

• Increase the presence of Quebec food products in long-distribution networks

• Diversify Quebec markets (retail, foodservice, institutional)

• Build commercialization capabilities

• Increase awareness and visibility of Quebec biofood products

• Grow sales of foods processed in Quebec

Key parameters that intersect with eligibility decisions:

• One contribution per enterprise across 2023–2026

• For 2025–26, restricted to first-time recipients who have never benefited from SIAM

• Projects typically run 12 months with a minimum of $20,000 in eligible expenses at application

• Assistance is generally awarded until funds are exhausted, and intakes may close quickly when oversubscribed

Understanding these rules will help applicants determine timing and feasibility before investing in a full submission.

Applicant Type Requirements

To qualify for SIAM, applicants must be established and operating in Quebec and be legally registered. In practice, eligible applicants generally include:

• A business registered in the Registre des entreprises du Québec (REQ)

• A Quebec-based food processor

• A company that subcontracts processing in Quebec, subject to conditions

• An agro-processor, subject to conditions

Foundational requirements for all eligible applicants:

• Operating establishment located in Quebec

• Products commercialized for at least one full year

• Annual revenue exceeding $250,000

• A product portfolio primarily composed of Quebec products

Clarifications and expectations:

• “Food processor” covers a wide range of biofood manufacturing activities, including beverages, dairy, meat, bakery, snacks, sauces, condiments, plant-based, ready-to-eat, frozen, and specialty foods, as long as the transformation activity is demonstrable.

• Companies using co-packers can be eligible if the transformation occurs in Quebec and other conditions are met.

• Agro-processors whose primary activity includes transforming agricultural inputs into food products may qualify, subject to program conditions.

• Applicants must show that the brand’s offer is majority Quebec-made and aligned with long-distribution channels in Quebec.

Size & Scale Criteria

SIAM is designed for established organizations with sufficient market traction to execute a 12‑month commercialization plan. Minimum thresholds include:

• Commercialization history: At least one year of sales activity for the products targeted by the project

• Revenue: More than $250,000 in annual revenue

Additional scale considerations:

• There is no explicit minimum or maximum employee count stated by the program; both SMEs and larger processors may be eligible if they meet core criteria.

• Applicants should demonstrate sufficient operational capacity to deliver the project (e.g., production, sales, and marketing resources or contracted expertise).

Geographic Eligibility

SIAM is a provincial program focused on Quebec market development in long-distribution circuits. Geographic rules to note:

• Applicants must have an operating establishment in Quebec

• The funded commercialization activities must target Quebec markets

• Processing should occur in Quebec, including when subcontracted (conditions apply)

• Out-of-province businesses without a Quebec establishment are not eligible

Regional nuances:

• Projects can target Quebec as a whole or specific regions (for example, Greater Montreal Area or Capitale-Nationale), but the focus must remain on long-distribution channels within Quebec.

Project & Activity Requirements

Applicant eligibility is linked to project fit. To be considered, your project must:

• Have a planned duration of 12 months

• Present at least $20,000 in eligible expenses at the time of application

• Implement commercialization and market development activities in Quebec’s long-distribution channels, aiming to:

• Enter a new market (e.g., moving from retail to foodservice or public institutional)

• Enter a new segment (e.g., adding a new banner or retail chain)

• Scale market share within Quebec (e.g., expanding from a few locations to a province-wide listing)

Examples of eligible activity categories include:

• Product registry and listing preparation

• Market development or marketing specialists (internal or external)

• Marketing and trade marketing activities

• Business development actions

• Quebec trade shows and major industry events

Applicants must show the project’s relevance, structure, and alignment with SIAM’s objective of long-circuit market access.

Financial & Operational Criteria

While SIAM’s rules focus on applicant type, Quebec presence, and commercialization maturity, evaluators also consider execution capacity and compliance. Applicants should expect to demonstrate:

• Capacity to complete the project within 12 months (human resources, suppliers, agencies)

• Sound financial management to carry cost-shared expenses before reimbursement

• Product eligibility and majority Quebec content

• Alignment of activities and budget with long-distribution commercialization goals

Program funding terms at a glance (for eligibility context):

• Non-repayable contribution

• Standard cost share: up to 50% of eligible expenses

• Potential enhancements: up to a maximum of 70% if the project is exclusively organic (+10%) and/or exclusively targets the public institutional market (+10%), applied cumulatively within the cap

• Maximum assistance: up to $100,000 per applicant per 12-month period

• Disbursements occur after acceptance of deliverables and supporting documents; in certain cases, a third payment can finalize salary coverage when a hire or promotion is planned

These terms help applicants assess whether their scale, cash flow, and activity mix align with SIAM’s parameters.

Ineligible Applicants

Organizations that typically do not meet SIAM eligibility include:

• Businesses without an operating establishment in Quebec

• Companies with less than one year of commercialization for the targeted products

• Businesses with annual revenue at or below $250,000

• Entities that do not transform food (e.g., distributors without processing) unless they meet the program’s transformation conditions

• Applicants whose products are not primarily Quebec-made

• Enterprises that already received a SIAM contribution during the 2023–2026 period (one-contribution rule)

• For 2025–26 specifically, any enterprise that has previously benefited from SIAM (first-time recipients only)

Note: Specific exclusions can vary; consult the program’s applicant guide for definitive ineligibility rules.

Special Cases & Exceptions

Certain scenarios require additional attention:

• Contract manufacturing (co-packing): Brands that subcontract processing may be eligible if the transformation occurs in Quebec and other criteria are met; documentation may be required to prove location and scope.

• Agro-processors: May qualify where transformation and Quebec content are clear; eligibility can depend on product lines and market focus.

• Multi-brand or related entities: The one-contribution rule across 2023–2026 should be considered where related parties operate multiple brands; applicants should be prepared to clarify ownership and relationships.

• Non-profits and cooperatives: The program emphasizes businesses registered in Quebec; eligibility for non-profit entities may depend on their legal status and transformation activity. Confirm requirements for your legal form before applying.

• Organic or public institutional focus: Projects exclusively dedicated to organic lines or the public institutional market may be eligible for enhanced cost-share rates within the 70% cap. Exclusivity matters.

When in doubt, prepare concise documentation that establishes transformation in Quebec, commercialization history, Quebec majority content, and alignment with long-distribution channels.

Self-Assessment Checklist

Use this yes/no checklist to quickly assess SIAM eligibility:

• Is your organization registered in the Registre des entreprises du Québec?

• Do you have an operating establishment in Quebec?

• Are you a food processor, an agro-processor, or a brand that subcontracts processing in Quebec under eligible conditions?

• Have you commercialized the targeted products for at least one year?

• Is your annual revenue above $250,000?

• Is your product offering primarily composed of Quebec products?

• Does your proposed project focus on long-distribution commercialization in Quebec for 12 months?

• Can you present at least $20,000 in eligible expenses at application?

• Have you avoided receiving a SIAM contribution during 2023–2026? And for 2025–26, are you a first-time recipient?

If you answered “yes” to all items, you are likely a strong fit. If you answered “no” to any core criteria (REQ registration, Quebec establishment, one-year commercialization, revenue threshold, or Quebec-majority products), SIAM is unlikely to be a match without addressing those gaps.

Examples: Who Qualifies vs. Who Does Not

Likely eligible scenarios (if all other conditions are met):

• A Montreal-based snack manufacturer with $3M in annual revenue seeking a province-wide retail listing expansion with a 12‑month marketing and trade plan

• A Quebec City beverage brand that uses a Quebec co-packer, has two years of sales, and plans to enter public institutional foodservice with an exclusive project

• A Saguenay bakery scaling from regional to multi-banner distribution, supported by market development specialists and trade marketing

Likely ineligible scenarios:

• An Ontario-based brand with no Quebec establishment, even if selling into Quebec

• A startup with six months of sales and $180,000 in revenue

• A distributor without food transformation activity and without meeting program transformation conditions

• A company whose products are not primarily Quebec-made

Frequently Asked Eligibility Questions

• Am I eligible for SIAM if I subcontract processing?

Yes, if the processing takes place in Quebec and you meet all other criteria; additional proof may be required.

• Can I apply if I already received SIAM?

The program allows one contribution per enterprise during 2023–2026; for 2025–26, only first-time recipients are eligible.

• Is SIAM available outside Quebec?

No. Applicants must have an operating establishment in Quebec, and projects must target Quebec long-distribution channels.

• Does SIAM have revenue requirements?

Yes. Applicants must have annual revenue above $250,000.

• Do I need at least one year of commercialization?

Yes. You must have marketed the targeted products for a minimum of one year.

• Are agencies and consultants eligible as applicants?

No. The applicant must be the business undertaking the market development project. However, agency and specialist fees can be eligible project costs.

Conclusion

The SIAM program is tailored to established Quebec food processors ready to scale their commercialization in long-distribution channels. If your organization is registered in Quebec, has an operating establishment, exceeds the $250,000 revenue threshold, has at least one year of product commercialization, and offers primarily Quebec-made products, you likely meet core eligibility. Ensure your 12‑month project is aligned with Quebec market development, presents at least $20,000 in eligible expenses at application, and respects the first‑time recipient rule for 2025–26 and the one‑contribution limit across 2023–2026. With a structured plan and clear documentation, eligible applicants can proceed confidently toward a competitive submission.