Closed
Source verified July 28, 2026
Call for innovation projects in artificial intelligence and quantum technologies – collaborative industrial research and support for entrepreneurship
Supports collaborative AI projects in Quebec
Offered by
Funding available
$ 1,500,000
Deadline
October 30, 2025
Location
Quebec, Canada
Who can apply
Groupings or partnerships of at least two Québec-based private promoter companies
See full eligibility
Overview
The Call for Innovation Projects in Artificial Intelligence and Quantum Technologies supports collaborative projects by Quebec business consortiums, with funding of up to $1.5 million over 24 months. Eligible work includes planning and R&D, solution development, testing, commercialization preparation, and real-world demonstrations or technology showcases.
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At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase performance through digital transformation
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Develop a new product or service
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 1,500,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Quebec
Legal structures
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- All groups
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Preliminary planning activities and studies needed to structure the project, including proof of concept.
- Principle validation and the development of a new solution or the significant improvement of an existing solution through design, engineering, and prototyping.
- Testing and validation activities, including prototype testing, pilot production testing, and controlled-environment demonstrations.
- Commercialization preparation, including commercialization planning, intellectual property protection, and work required to obtain certification or homologation.
- Real-world operational demonstrations and technology showcases with an independent partner when the solution is ready for commercialization.
Documents Needed
- A completed letter of intent
- An SR&ED tax credit estimate to include in the proposal
- Financial statements dated less than six months for the promoter companies
- Letters of support and financial or strategic commitments from the end-user environments
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Groupings or partnerships of at least two Québec-based private promoter companies
- Companies and SMEs from all sectors of activity with an innovation project in artificial intelligence
- At least one participating company must be a startup, VSE, or SME with fewer than 250 employees
Eligible expenses
- Direct costs for personnel involved
- Research-related resources, including students, research professionals, laboratory, and materials
- Equipment and equipment rental
- Certification and the protection and definition of intellectual property
- Studies, documentation, state-of-the-art review, research centre, subcontractor, and platform costs
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Technology watch or applied development (routine engineering) cannot be the main element of the project.
Eligible geographic areas
- Quebec
Selection criteria
- Projects should demonstrate significant, quantifiable and qualifiable impacts on both the research ecosystem and the development end-user community.
- The collaborative aspect and the expertise of the project team form an important assessment criterion.
- Innovation is evaluated on novelty, complexity, tangible added value, and progress compared with the state of the art.
- Structuring impact represents 40% of the score and must be immediate, measurable, significant, concrete, and progressive.
- Projects should show clear commercial relevance and strong strategic positioning supported by quantified analyses.
How to apply
- Make an appointment for an exploratory meeting and prepare your specific questions about the program and support services.
- Download and complete the letter of intent.
- Email the completed letter of intent to infos.partenar-ia@ivado.ca using the required subject format.
- Submit your grant request directly to the RSRI covering your industrial sector.
- Use the application form provided by that RSRI.
Processing and Agreement
- The letter of intent gives applicants a high-level assessment of project eligibility and guidance to structure the project.
- The IVADO-RSRI duo evaluates the proposal and formulates recommendations to optimize it.
- Only well-structured projects with significant impacts will be recommended to the MEIE for funding.
- The RSRI manage the administrative agreement with the MEIE, including follow-up on periodic reporting requested by the MEIE.
Additional information
- You may submit multiple projects on the same subject to advance them to different degrees of maturity.
- You can apply simultaneously with an R&D project and a rollout project.
- The RSRI support participating companies throughout the innovation project, from setup to completion.
- IVADO provides scientific, technical, and innovation-management support focused on artificial intelligence.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Call for innovation projects in artificial intelligence and quantum technologies – collaborative industrial research and support for entrepreneurship Program
What is the Call for innovation projects in artificial intelligence and quantum technologies – collaborative industrial research and support for entrepreneurship?
The Call for Innovation Projects in Artificial Intelligence and Quantum Technologies supports collaborative projects by Quebec business consortiums, with funding of up to $1.5 million over 24 months. Eligible work includes planning and R&D, solution development, testing, commercialization preparation, and real-world demonstrations or technology showcases.
How much funding can be received?
Call for innovation projects in artificial intelligence and quantum technologies – collaborative industrial research and support for entrepreneurship Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses, capped at $1,500,000 per project.
Who is eligible for the Call for innovation projects in artificial intelligence and quantum technologies – collaborative industrial research and support for entrepreneurship program?
To be eligible for the Call for innovation projects in artificial intelligence and quantum technologies – collaborative industrial research and support for entrepreneurship program, you must:
The partnership must include at least two Québec-based companies, including one with fewer than 250 employees.
Participating companies must have a head office, operations, and R&D capacities in Québec.
Part of the project must mature to industrialization or pre-commercialization (TRL 7 and +).
What expenses are eligible under Call for innovation projects in artificial intelligence and quantum technologies – collaborative industrial research and support for entrepreneurship?
Preliminary planning activities and studies needed to structure the project, including proof of concept.
Principle validation and the development of a new solution or the significant improvement of an existing solution through design, engineering, and prototyping.
Testing and validation activities, including prototype testing, pilot production testing, and controlled-environment demonstrations.
Commercialization preparation, including commercialization planning, intellectual property protection, and work required to obtain certification or homologation.
Real-world operational demonstrations and technology showcases with an independent partner when the solution is ready for commercialization.
Who can I contact for more information about the Call for innovation projects in artificial intelligence and quantum technologies – collaborative industrial research and support for entrepreneurship?
You can contact Government of Québec by email at infos.partenar-ia@ivado.ca or by phone at 5142840211.
Where is the Call for innovation projects in artificial intelligence and quantum technologies – collaborative industrial research and support for entrepreneurship available?
The Call for innovation projects in artificial intelligence and quantum technologies – collaborative industrial research and support for entrepreneurship program is available the province of Quebec.
Is the Call for innovation projects in artificial intelligence and quantum technologies – collaborative industrial research and support for entrepreneurship a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Call for innovation projects in artificial intelligence and quantum technologies – collaborative industrial research and support for entrepreneurship is a Grant and Funding