MAPAQ — Biofood Innovation Program – Component 3

Q: How much funding can be received?

MAPAQ — Biofood Innovation Program – Component 3 Funds up to 90% of admissible expenses, capped at $210000 per project.

Q: What is the deadline to apply?

The deadline to apply is not specified.

Q: Is the MAPAQ — Biofood Innovation Program – Component 3 a grant, loan, or tax credit?

MAPAQ — Biofood Innovation Program – Component 3 is a Grant and Funding

Q: Who are the financial supporters of the MAPAQ — Biofood Innovation Program – Component 3?

MAPAQ — Biofood Innovation Program – Component 3 is funded by Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPAQ), Gouvernement du Québec

Q: Who is eligible for the MAPAQ — Biofood Innovation Program – Component 3 program?

To be eligible for the MAPAQ — Biofood Innovation Program – Component 3 program, you must: • For-profit commercial fisheries or aquaculture business with a location in Quebec • Not registered on the Registre des entreprises non admissibles aux contrats publics (RENA) • Must comply with language and employment equality requirements if applicable (based on company size and funding amount)

Q: Who can I contact for more information about the MAPAQ — Biofood Innovation Program – Component 3?

You can contact Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPAQ) by email at pib.depot@mapaq.gouv.qc.ca.

Q: Where is the MAPAQ — Biofood Innovation Program – Component 3 available?

The MAPAQ — Biofood Innovation Program – Component 3 program is available the province of QC.

Q: Are Indigenous Peoples eligible for the MAPAQ — Biofood Innovation Program – Component 3 program?

Yes, Indigenous Peoples are eligible to apply for the MAPAQ — Biofood Innovation Program – Component 3 program.

Last Update: July 22, 2025

QC, Canada

Supports applied innovation in Quebec's fisheries and aquaculture sector

At a glance

Eligible Funding

From $20,000 to $210,000
Up to 90% of project cost

Timeline

Unspecified

Financing Type

Grant and Funding

Eligible Industries

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
Manufacturing

Funds Providers

Unspecified

Program status

Open

Overview

The Biofood Innovation Program – Component 3 offers up to $210,000 per project to support applied research and experimental development in commercial fisheries and aquaculture in Quebec. This funding aims to foster new knowledge, products, or processes through innovative activities involving scientific uncertainty and external expertise.

Financing terms and conditions

Maximum financial assistance per project: $210,000
Maximum financial assistance per year per project: $70,000
Minimum financial assistance per project: $20,000
Total financial assistance available per promoter for this program component: $250,000
Public aid rates vary from 65% to 90% of eligible expenses depending on project location and whether results are publicly disseminated, with a maximum public funding accumulation rate of 90%

Activities funded

Applied research and experimental development aimed at creating new or significantly improved products or processes in the commercial fisheries and aquaculture sector.
Projects advancing technological maturity from at least level 2 to a maximum of level 5, featuring scientific or technological uncertainty.
Initiatives incorporating scientific trials and analyses following a research protocol.
Projects engaging external experts with the necessary expertise to deliver innovative results in the sector.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 43,400

Upgrade shared workspace with adaptive technologies for accessibility

$ 70,000

Implement solar panels on daycare roof for sustainable energy savings

$ 54,000

Develop an e-commerce platform to expand fresh produce sales

$ 79,950

Purchase energy-efficient equipment for local organic food processing

$ 37,500

Launch circular textile repair service for reducing community waste

$ 25,200

Automate inventory tracking for a cultural cooperative bookshop

Eligibility

The applicant must have an establishment located in Quebec.
The applicant must be a commercial fishing or aquaculture company, a processor of aquatic products, or a band council.
The project must be carried out in Quebec and have a maximum duration of 3 years.
The project must involve applied research and experimental development, aiming to create or significantly improve a product or process.
The project must utilize aquatic biomass and include scientific or technological uncertainty, with the involvement of qualified external experts as needed.

Who is eligible?

Commercial fishing companies
Commercial aquaculture companies
Companies involved in the processing of aquatic products
Band councils

Who is not eligible

Provincial or federal ministries, budgetary organizations, Crown corporations, and government-controlled companies.
Municipal entities.
Financial cooperatives and banking institutions.
Companies or subcontractors listed in the Register of Enterprises Ineligible for Public Contracts (RENA).
For-profit companies with more than 100 employees requesting $100,000 or more that do not meet employment equity requirements.

Eligible expenses

Salaries and social charges for staff and students directly involved in the project.
Consultant fees for specialized expertise.
Costs of contracts with research institutions for specialized services (based on actual salaries and benefits).
External laboratory analysis fees.
Travel and accommodation expenses for project-related activities and meetings (following Quebec government guidelines).
Rental or usage costs of equipment, supplies, and infrastructure.
Infrastructure setup costs for experimental facilities (up to $7,000 per unit).
Purchase of equipment (up to $7,000 per unit).
Specialized training costs.
Costs related to communications and dissemination of project information.
Salaries for company staff directly assigned to project execution (eligible only for calculating the required company contribution).

Eligible geographic areas

Businesses with an establishment located in Quebec.
Projects must be carried out within Quebec.

Selection criteria

Relevance of the project to sector and Ministry priorities, and alignment with the program's objectives.
Magnitude of expected short- and long-term outcomes for Québec’s commercial fisheries and aquaculture sector.
Level of interest and participation from the industry.
Scientific quality of the literature review, bibliography, and experimental protocol.
Technical, organizational, administrative, and financial capacity to successfully complete the project.
Appropriateness of project costs given its complexity and scale.
Expected benefits in relation to project costs.
Commercial potential and business application of the proposed product or process.
Realism of the project timeline and funding plan.

How to apply

Check eligibility requirements

Ensure your organization is eligible according to all listed criteria
Verify project meets all eligibility requirements

Prepare application documents

Complete the financial assistance application form (in French)
Prepare budget forecasts using the "Plans de financement et calendrier de réalisation" form
Gather partner commitment attestations, if required
Collect CVs for project execution team members
Optionally include research partner service offers

Submit the application by email

Send all required documents in one email (in French) to pib.depot@mapaq.gouv.qc.ca
Ensure all documents are included and properly completed

Confirm receipt of application

Receive automatic acknowledgment of receipt
If not received, check spam folder and contact MAPAQ quickly if needed

Eligibility and completeness review

Application and project eligibility are assessed
If ineligible, you are notified and process ends

Project evaluation by committee

Project is analyzed by a Ministry evaluation committee
External scientific or technological expert opinion may be sought if needed
Review based on criteria such as project relevance, scientific quality, sectoral impact, cost relevance, and sustainability

Receive funding decision and next steps

Receive decision letter by email regarding project funding
If approved, sign the financial assistance agreement
If not approved, receive refusal letter

Additional information

All documentation for an application must be completed in French, as required by the Charter of the French Language, except as otherwise provided for by exceptions in the Charter.
All required documents must be transmitted in a single email to pib.depot@mapaq.gouv.qc.ca, and applicants are responsible for ensuring receipt of the automatic acknowledgment of submission.
Additional questions or requests for information can also be sent to pib.depot@mapaq.gouv.qc.ca.

Contacts

pib.depot@mapaq.gouv.qc.ca

Apply to this program

Frequently Asked Questions about the MAPAQ — Biofood Innovation Program – Component 3 Program

Here are answers to the most common questions about the MAPAQ — Biofood Innovation Program – Component 3. This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.