How much funding can be received?

Receive up to $350,000 in funding to cover up to 30% of eligible expenses for a product or process innovation project involving AI, from the planning stage through to real-life demonstration.

grant_single_labels|terms_and_conditions

This grant provides financial support for innovative projects leveraging artificial intelligence in small and medium-sized enterprises. It offers specific assistance caps and rates to align with the commercial potential and development risks associated with these projects.

Maximum aid amount is $350,000 per project.
Maximum aid rate is 30% of eligible expenditures.
Maximum accumulation of government aid is 50% of the total project expenses, increasing to 75% for projects with research center collaboration or technology showcase projects.

grant_single_labels|projects

This grant is intended to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in developing innovative artificial intelligence (AI) projects. The projects should focus on the production of goods and services or internal research and development activities.

Innovation in product or process using artificial intelligence, from planning to pre-commercialization.
Development of new products or processes or significant improvement of existing ones.

grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample

$ 117,000

Developing a smart traffic management system using AI

$ 72,000

Creating an AI-powered energy consumption prediction tool for smart homes

$ 57,000

Enhancing a retail analytics platform using machine learning

$ 64,500

Creating an AI-based predictive maintenance tool for industrial machinery

$ 79,500

Automating quality inspection in manufacturing with AI

$ 78,000

Developing an AI-driven health monitoring system for elderly care

grant_single_labels|admissibility

Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific requirements related to the company's profile and the proposed innovation project.

The applicant must be a small or medium-sized enterprise (SME).
The project must involve the use of artificial intelligence in product or process innovation.
The project should cover stages from planning to pre-commercialization.
The project must focus on developing a new product or process or significantly improving an existing one.
The innovation must provide a significant advantage over existing market solutions.
The project must involve technological or business risks or uncertainties.
The project should involve research and development efforts.
The project must demonstrate commercial potential if the product or process is intended for sale.

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply

Eligible applicants for this grant are small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with innovation projects that utilize artificial intelligence in the production of goods or services or in internal research and development activities. The project must involve the development of a new product or process or the significant improvement of an existing one, demonstrate a decisive advantage over existing market solutions, involve technological or business risk or uncertainty, require research and development efforts, and show commercial potential.

grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses

The eligible projects for this grant focus on the development and innovation of new products or processes using artificial intelligence. They aim to enhance internal R&D capabilities and product commercialization for SMEs.

Development of new products or processes incorporating artificial intelligence from planning to pre-commercialization stages.
Improvement of existing products or processes with significant advancements using artificial intelligence.
Projects demonstrating a competitive advantage of the new product or process over current market solutions.
Initiatives involving technological or business uncertainties requiring research and development efforts.
Commercialization potential for products or processes intended for sale.

grant_single_labels|criteria

There are evaluation and selection criteria for this grant. The following are the key criteria used:

Relevance of the project to the call for proposals
Quality and feasibility of the project
Economic and social impacts of the project
Capacity and expertise of the project team
Cost-effectiveness of the project
Compliance with regulatory requirements

grant_single_labels|register

Step 1: Download Form
- Right-click on the link to the PDF form on the website.
- Select "Save target as" for PC users or "Download linked file as" for Mac users.
- Save the file to a preferred location on your computer.
Step 2: Open Form
- Right-click on the downloaded PDF file.
- Select "Open with" and choose Adobe Reader.
Step 3: Complete Form
- Fill out all required fields in the application form as per the guidelines.
- Ensure all information is correct and complete to avoid issues during submission.
Step 4: Sign Form
- Electronically sign the completed PDF application form as required.
Step 5: Submit Application
- Convert the completed and signed form into PDF format if it isn't already.
- Email the signed application to equipe.ia@economie.gouv.qc.ca.
- Ensure the application is sent by the stipulated deadline (before October 15, 2023, at 16:00).

grant_single_labels|otherInfo

Here are additional relevant details for this grant:

The grant can be combined with other public funding, with a maximum cumulative aid limit of 50% of total project expenses, and 75% for collaborations with research centers and technology showcase projects.
The maximum financial aid available per project is $350,000, covering up to 30% of eligible expenses.
Projects must involve substantial risk or uncertainty, either technologically or in terms of business, for the applying company.
Dynamic PDF forms must be downloaded and opened with Adobe Reader version 10 or later to function properly.
The deadline for submission was October 15, 2023, at 16:00, indicating the importance of observing strict deadline adherence for future applications.
Applicants must ensure the submitted electronic version of the application is signed and in PDF format.

grant_single_labels|documents

Collaborative Industrial Research and Support to Innovative Entrepreneurship — Stream 2

Apply to this program

Empowering SMEs in Artificial Intelligence Innovation

The Volet 2 of the funding call offers up to $350,000 for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) engaged in pioneering product or process innovations utilizing artificial intelligence. This initiative is aimed at fostering technological advancements and supporting economic growth by aiding SMEs in their journey from planning to pre-commercialization stages.

In-Depth Insight into the AI Innovation Grant

This grant, designed to spur advancements in artificial intelligence, is a significant opportunity for SMEs involved in developing innovative products or processes. The focus is on using AI to enhance production capabilities or improve internal R&D activities, driving both organizational improvements and market-ready offerings. With a maximum funding of $350,000 per project provided over two years, this grant is structured to shoulder up to 30% of the eligible project expenses, encouraging companies to undertake innovations that hold promising commercial potential.

The program targets projects that differentiate themselves decisively from existing market solutions, poised to represent technological or business advancements. It also accounts for projects with inherent risks or uncertainties, acknowledging the labor-intensive nature of R&D in the AI field. By highlighting projects with a credible potential for commercial success, the grant underlines its commitment to advancing market competition through innovation.

One of the hallmarks of this grant is its emphasis on collaborative efforts, particularly when involving research centers. This facet not only facilitates a deeper engagement with the academic and research community but also provides an elevated threshold for government aid, raising it up to 75% for technologically showcasing projects. Such collaborations are invaluable, bringing forth a blend of academic insights and practical, market-driven approaches.

In addition to financial support, the program seeks to optimize the route from concept to implementation. The structured aid is uniquely beneficial for SMEs, which often face more significant hurdles in accessing substantial R&D funding compared to larger enterprises. Further, the grant nurtures a collaborative environment among enterprises, fostering shared learning and a synergistic push towards sustainable innovation.

For applicants, the process involves submitting a detailed proposal showcasing the innovation's unique value proposition and potential market impact. This stringent evaluation ensures that only projects with compelling technological advancements and significant market potential gain support, thereby aligning with the strategic objectives of fostering sustained technological growth and competitiveness.

The grant program indirectly benefits the wider economy by pushing the envelope of what AI can achieve across various sectors. By supporting projects at the cutting edge of technology, it enhances the country's competitive position in the global market while creating a ripple effect of growth opportunities for related industries.

Ultimately, this grant is not just a financial incentive but a catalyst for transformative innovation in AI. It empowers SMEs to undertake ambitious projects that might otherwise be beyond their reach, encouraging a culture of innovation that resonates across the business landscape and sets a precedent for future technological ventures.