MAPAQ — Biofood Innovation Program – Component 2

• Non-repayable contribution covering up to 80% of eligible project expenses, with a potential bonus rate of 10% for projects aligned with ministerial or governmental priorities.
• Minimum funding amount per project: $25,000 (research, development, and adaptation projects), or $4,000 (knowledge transfer activities).
• Maximum total funding per project varies by project category and applicant type (e.g., up to $254,000 for certain 4-year university projects including indirect research costs; up to $230,000 for other eligible applicants).
• Payment is made in up to 5 installments, each contingent upon approved deliverables and financial documentation.
• Total public financial support (including tax credits) must not exceed 90% of eligible project expenses.

Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific requirements for the applicant's profile.

• The applicant must have an establishment located in Québec.
• Eligible applicants include research establishments, technology transfer establishments, associations, and groups of enterprises or producers.

Who is eligible?

• Research institutions located in Quebec
• Technology transfer establishments located in Quebec
• Associations and groups of businesses or producers located in Quebec

Who is not eligible

• Provincial and federal government ministries, agencies, and Crown corporations, as well as entities controlled by such organizations.
• Municipal entities.
• Financial cooperatives and banking institutions.
• Applicants who have defaulted on prior grant obligations within the last two years after formal notice by the Minister.
• Applicants under bankruptcy protection or subject to insolvency laws, or under administrative or judicial orders related to animal welfare or safety regulations.

Eligible expenses

• Salaries and wages for personnel and students directly involved in the project.
• Social security contributions related to project personnel.
• Scholarships granted to students participating in the project.
• Consulting fees for external experts or consultants.
• Purchase of equipment, up to a maximum unit cost of $7,000.
• Purchase of materials and supplies necessary for the project.
• Costs for usage or rental of materials, supplies, equipment, buildings, and land.
• Laboratory analysis fees.
• Travel and accommodation expenses, in accordance with government rates, limited to $5,000 for knowledge transfer activities.
• Registration fees for demonstration activities, conferences, or scientific meetings related to knowledge transfer.
• Publication fees for scientific articles reviewed by a committee, including open access dissemination fees, up to $5,000.
• Expenses for communication and dissemination of information related to knowledge transfer.
• Costs for specialized training.
• The non-refundable portion of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and Quebec Sales Tax (QST).

Eligible geographic areas

• Companies with an establishment located in Quebec.

• Relevance of the project to sector and Ministry priorities as well as the program and call for projects objectives.
• Magnitude of expected short- and long-term results for the Quebec biofood sector.
• Presence and quality of deliverables and knowledge transfer activities.
• Level of industry contribution and participation.
• Scientific quality of literature review, bibliography, and experimental protocol.

• A minimum of four calls for projects will be launched during the program's duration on the Ministry's website.
• The maximum cumulative public financial support (from Quebec and Canadian government sources) for a single project cannot exceed 90% of eligible expenses.
• Applicants must declare all received public funding upon each payment claim, and any surplus over the public funding cap must be reimbursed.
• Supporting documentation and deliverables must be provided before each disbursement, as detailed in the financial assistance agreement.