MEDTEQ+ — AVISÉ program

• Non-repayable financial contribution up to $500,000 for projects evaluated in a single environment, or up to $700,000 for projects evaluated in multiple environments.
• MEDTEQ+ funding covers up to 50% of total eligible project costs.
• Private sector contribution must represent at least 25% of total eligible expenses.
• Combined government contributions (municipal, provincial, federal) may not exceed 75% of total eligible expenses.
• Disbursement schedule: 25% advance at contract signature and project launch, 50% after incurring and validating 75% of eligible expenses, and final 25% after project completion and submission of supporting documents.

• The applicant must be a legally constituted for-profit company, a consortium of such companies, or a social economy enterprise in the health technology sector, including digital health and artificial intelligence, registered in Quebec, with an established business location and active operations in the province.
• The company must hold the rights to use the intellectual property for the product or innovation involved in the project.
• At least one founder or founding team member must be dedicated full-time (35 hours or more per week) to the business.
• The project must focus on evaluating a new or significantly improved product, technology, or process that is at the pre-commercialization stage (Technology Readiness Level 7 to 9), with demonstrated innovation and commercial potential.
• The project must be developed in collaboration with an expert evaluation team from the relevant network and meet all specified collaboration and evaluation requirements.

Who is eligible?

• For-profit companies in the medical technology sector
• For-profit companies in digital health technologies, including those using artificial intelligence
• Social economy enterprises as defined by Quebec legislation

Who is not eligible

• Companies listed on the Register of Enterprises Ineligible for Public Contracts (RENA), including subcontractors registered on RENA.
• Companies listed on the non-compliance list for the francization process by the Office québécois de la langue française.
• Companies that have defaulted on obligations related to previous government financial assistance within the last two years.
• State-owned enterprises, companies controlled by government entities (municipal, provincial, or federal), municipal organizations, or companies majority-owned by a state enterprise.
• Holding companies, companies under bankruptcy or insolvency protection, and companies whose main activity relates to arms production, fossil fuel extraction/production (excluding carbon transition), gambling, violent games or combat sports, sexual exploitation, or tobacco/drug-related business.

Eligible expenses

• Direct labour costs dedicated to the project, including benefits and mandatory contributions.
• Student scholarships.
• Materials, consumables, and supplies required for the project.
• Purchase or rental of equipment (up to a maximum of 25% of total eligible expenses).
• Travel and accommodation expenses directly related to project execution, in accordance with government standards.
• Professional fees for technology evaluation by expert evaluators.
• Professional fees for the implementation and usage of the technology by evaluation sites.
• Professional and specialized service fees, and subcontracting expenses.
• Costs for disseminating project results.
• Fees for specialized platforms.
• Acquisition costs for studies or other documentation needed for the project.
• Monetary compensation for participant involvement.
• Project management fees charged by MEDTEQ+.
• Indirect research costs (FIR) related to the project.

Eligible geographic areas

• Quebec (companies must be registered in Quebec, have an establishment, and actively operate there)

• Innovative character of the technology (maximum 25 points): Presence of a decisive advantage of the product or process compared to existing solutions nationally or internationally. Must obtain at least 80% (20 out of 25) for admissibility.
• Overall value of the innovation and social acceptability (maximum 25 points): Relevance for health systems, potential impact on various levels (population, clinical, organizational, sociocultural, environmental), response to identified priority needs, and social acceptance.
• Feasibility and relevance of the project in relation to the objectives of the call for projects (maximum 25 points): Quality and realism of the implementation plan, schedule and budget, quality of partners, risk management, sustainable development considerations, project pertinence, and risk assessment.
• Company's capacity to carry out the project (maximum 15 points): Alignment with business strategy, track record and key achievements, internal expertise and experience relevant to the project’s requirements.
• Potential benefits for the company and its sector (maximum 10 points): Market potential, business model and go-to-market strategy, commercialization experience, and intellectual property position and strategy.

• Applicants must ensure the inclusion of all required documents, such as signed forms and video presentations, for a complete application.
• An online information session will be offered, with the recording subsequently available on the MEDTEQ+ website.
• Evaluation committees may request a brief Q&A session with applicants whose proposals are considered eligible.
• Annual follow-up reports on project outcomes are required one and two years after project completion.