Call for collaborative and structuring innovation projects in Quebec's strategic sectors

• Maximum financial aid of $1,000,000 per project, for up to 24 months.
• Subsidy covers up to 35% of eligible expenses for SMEs and large enterprises, and up to 50% for startups or when certain research expenses/quantum computing platform costs are involved.
• Total government support (including all public sources and tax credits) must not exceed 75% of eligible project costs, with private contributions covering at least 25%.
• No single company may receive more than 80% of the total grant awarded to the project consortium.
• For real-world demonstration or technology showcase projects, funding is capped at $350,000 per consortium.

• The applicant must be part of a consortium composed of at least two Quebec-based companies, including at least one SME or one innovative young company (startup).
• Each company in the consortium must be legally constituted under Quebec or Canadian federal law and registered with the Registraire des entreprises du Québec.
• Each participating company must have its head office and an operational establishment in Quebec, with employees or subcontractors working mainly in Quebec.
• The project must focus on the development or significant improvement of a product, service, or process in one of the following strategic sectors: quantum technologies, aerospace, digital and microelectronic technologies, or energy transition.
• The project must demonstrate a required degree of innovation, involve research and development efforts, and respect at least one principle of sustainable development under Quebec law.

Who is eligible?

• Consortiums of Quebec-based companies, including at least one SME (small or medium-sized enterprise) or an innovative startup
• Companies in the quantum technologies sector
• Companies in the aerospace sector
• Companies in digital technologies and microelectronics
• Companies involved in the energy transition sector

Who is not eligible

• Companies listed on the Register of Enterprises Ineligible for Public Contracts (RENA), including subcontractors appearing on this register.
• Businesses or organizations affiliated with, or funded by, universities, research institutes, or laboratories associated with military, national defense, or state security organizations that may pose a risk to Canada's national security.
• Businesses listed on the Office québécois de la langue française (OQLF) Register of Non-Compliant Enterprises regarding the francization process.
• State-owned companies or entities controlled by a government (municipal, provincial, or federal), a municipal entity, or companies mostly owned by a state corporation.
• Businesses whose primary operations are in weapons production or distribution, fossil fuel exploration/extraction/refining, gambling, violent gaming or animal combat sports, sexual exploitation, production/sale/services related to tobacco or drugs (except cannabis/hemp), or activities primarily religious, political, or advocacy-related.

Eligible expenses

• Specialized service fees, including subcontracting services.
• Salaries, wages, and mandatory benefits for project staff, as well as project management costs.
• Travel and accommodation expenses related to project activities, including for prospective clients visiting demonstrations or technology showcases.
• Direct costs of materials and inventory needed for the project.
• Direct equipment costs, calculated based on project duration, equipment lifespan, and usage during the project.
• Equipment and land rental expenses.
• Costs for purchasing studies or relevant project documents.
• Animal facility and technological platform usage fees.
• Costs related to preparing and securing intellectual property, including patent agent fees and acquiring rights or licenses.
• Expenses required for obtaining certifications or regulatory approvals necessary for commercialization.
• Project setup costs from incubators or accelerators supporting startups (up to 2% of eligible expenses, max $25,000).
• Exhibition and trade show expenses for presenting products or processes and attracting potential clients to technology showcases.
• Project setup and management fees by an industrial research sector cluster (RSRI), up to 5% of eligible expenses, max $100,000 per project.

Eligible geographic areas

• Quebec

• Level of innovation of the project (15%).
• Scientific and technological quality: project need, objectives, data quality, methodology, industrial feasibility, responsible development (15%).
• Project execution: implementation steps, justification for financial support, intellectual property management, adherence to at least one principle of sustainable development (10%).
• Collaboration and expertise: commitment and expertise of partners, involvement of research and innovation organizations, company capability to achieve the project (20%).
• Anticipated impacts: economic and sectoral benefits, alignment with innovation zones, advancement of knowledge, market potential, and broader adoption (40%).

• The Quebec Ministry of Economy, Innovation and Energy may publish the list of projects or companies funded on its website.
• Beneficiaries must not transfer intellectual property developed through the project outside Quebec for five years post-completion, except with prior approval from Investissement Québec.
• For technological showcase projects, a partnership agreement outlining roles and responsibilities must be included in the application.
• Supporting documents, including all required forms and letters, must be prepared in French.