How much funding can be received?

Receive up to $1.5 million in funding to cover up to 50% of eligible expenses for structuring projects that highlight collaborative research in AI by a cluster of companies that share project costs, benefits and intellectual property.

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This grant is specifically targeted at companies located within Quebec, Canada, as indicated by the requirement for "deux entreprises québécoises" in the project partnership.

Companies located in Quebec, Canada.

grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample

$1,250,000

Developing an AI-driven personalized healthcare system for clinics

$1,500,000

Developing an AI-driven predictive maintenance system for manufacturing companies

$500,000

Creating an AI-based customer service chatbot for retail businesses

grant_single_labels|admissibility

Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific requirements related to the project scope and collaborative efforts in the field of artificial intelligence.

The project must involve a grouping of at least two Quebec-based companies.
Eligible projects are those that demonstrate potential for significant short-term impacts.
The company grouping must share costs, benefits, and intellectual property related to the innovation project.
Each eligible company partner must plan to hire at least one intern per year as part of the project.
The project must focus on product or process innovation utilizing artificial intelligence from planning to pre-commercialization stages.
The project should either involve the development of a new product/process or a significant improvement of an existing one.
The innovation must present a decisive advantage over current market solutions.
The project must entail a technological or business risk or uncertainty for the company.
There must be efforts in research and development associated with the project.
The project should demonstrate commercial potential if intended for sale.

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply

This grant is specifically targeted towards consortia of companies, comprised of at least two Quebec-based enterprises, aiming for significant innovation projects with potential for short-term impactful returns. These projects should involve collaborative cost and benefit sharing among the businesses involved, as well as shared intellectual property related to the innovation. Each partnering enterprise in the project is required to hire at least one intern per year. The purpose of the project should be the development or significant improvement of a product or process using artificial intelligence, with a focus on either organizational improvement or product sale potential. Additionally, projects are expected to demonstrate technological or business risks, necessitate research and development efforts, and showcase strong commercial potential if intended for sale.

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply

Based on the grant information provided, there is no mention of specific types of companies that are not eligible for the grant.

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The eligible projects for this grant focus on the development and improvement of products or processes by leveraging artificial intelligence, in collaboration with multiple businesses. These initiatives require significant R&D efforts and aim to offer competitive advantages in the market.

Development of a new product utilizing artificial intelligence.
Improvement of an existing process with AI integration.
Collaboration among at least two Quebec-based businesses sharing costs and benefits.
Hiring at least one intern per partner business annually.
Real-world demonstration projects up to pre-commercialization phase.

grant_eligibility_criteria|zone

The grant covers specific expenses related to the innovation project utilizing artificial intelligence.

Research and development costs associated with the project.
Personnel costs, including hiring of at least one intern per partner company per year.
Expenses for the demonstration of the product or process in a real-world environment.
Costs for planning and pre-commercialization of the innovative product or process.

grant_single_labels|criteria

Yes, there are evaluation and selection criteria for this grant. Below is a summary followed by the detailed criteria.

The evaluation and selection criteria for the grant focus on the project's relevance to innovation, technological risk, and potential commercial benefits. The project must demonstrate significant improvements, collaboration, and alignment with the objectives of the grant program.

Project relevance to innovation in product or process.
Demonstrate a significant improvement over existing solutions.
Involve two or more Quebec-based companies in the collaboration.
Each participating company must employ at least one intern annually.
Share costs, benefits, and intellectual property among participating companies.
Demonstrate potential for significant short-term benefits.
Display technological or business risk and uncertainty.
Necessitate efforts in research and development.
Show potential for commercial success if the product/process is intended for sale.
Adhere to a maximum project duration of 18 months.
Maximize government aid at 50% of eligible expenses, up to a maximum of $1,500,000 per project.
Ensure total government aid does not exceed 75% of total project expenses.

grant_single_labels|register

Here are the steps to submit an application for this grant:

Step 1: Gather Required Documentation
- Ensure you have Adobe Reader version 10 or later to access PDF forms.
- Download and save the Guide and Application Form for the AI Innovation Projects from the ministry’s website.
Step 2: Complete the Application Form
- Fill out the "Formulaire de demande d’aide financière" for AI innovation projects in either Volet 2 or 3.
- Ensure all required fields are completed and the form is signed electronically.
Step 3: Prepare Supporting Documents
- Prepare additional required documents such as project proposals, budgets, and letters of support.
- Ensure all documents are formatted correctly and ready to be submitted electronically.
Step 4: Submit the Application
- Email the completed and signed application form, along with all supporting documents, to equipe.ia@economie.gouv.qc.ca.
- Ensure submission is completed before the deadline of October 15, 2023, at 16:00.

grant_single_labels|otherInfo

Outlined below are additional relevant details for this grant:

The maximum aid cap is 1,500,000 CAD per project, which cannot exceed 50% of eligible expenses.
The cumulative aid limit from government sources cannot exceed 75% of the project's total expenses.
The maximum allowable project duration is 18 months.
Applicants must submit their application electronically by the specified deadline.
There are specific software requirements for accessing and completing application documents, namely Adobe Reader version 10 or later.

grant_single_labels|documents

Collaborative Industrial Research and Support to Innovative Entrepreneurship — Stream 3

Apply to this program

Unlock Funding for Groundbreaking AI Innovation Projects

This strategic grant offers significant financial support aimed at stimulating AI-driven innovation projects involving collaborative industrial research to benefit businesses in Quebec. It focuses on projects that promise substantial short-term economic impacts through new product or process development.

Detailed Insights into the AI Innovation Grant and Its Significance

This competitive grant initiative is particularly tailored to foster collaborative innovation projects that involve a consortium of at least two businesses based in Quebec, targeting the advancement and application of artificial intelligence technologies. The emphasis of this funding is on mobilizing AI in the industrial sector, encouraging the transition from conceptual design to real-world demonstration, which provides a critical pathway for new technologies to reach maturity and market readiness.

Eligible projects must highlight the transformative potential of AI by either developing a new product or process, or significantly improving an existing one. The aim is to create significant competitive advantages in the market. Proposals should clearly articulate the innovative edge of the AI application, encompassing both technological advancements and market opportunities.

The grant also mandates that participating companies share not only the financial investments but also intellectual property rights and commercialization benefits, ensuring all partners gain equitable advantages from the collaborative effort. This collaborative dimension is critical to ensuring that complex AI technologies can be developed and sustained effectively while maximizing the shared expertise and resources.

An important requirement for each partner company in these projects is to employ at least one intern annually, a stipulation that strengthens the link between academic institutions and industry, ensuring that emerging talent is integrated into innovative practice and development activities. This reinforces the local talent ecosystem and ensures that the workforce remains adept at meeting the evolving demands of AI technology development.

The grant funding extends up to $1,500,000 per project, covering up to 50% of eligible expenses, with the possibility of accumulating government aid to cover 75% of the project's total cost. This financial structure provides a robust foundation for businesses to experiment with and refine cutting-edge AI solutions, enhancing their potential for commercial success.

A key aspect of this grant is its time-bound nature, requiring projects to be completed within an 18-month framework. This timeframe fosters a sense of urgency and focus, promoting rapid development cycles and ensuring projects adapt swiftly to technological advancements and market changes.

While fostering innovation, this grant also recognizes the intrinsic challenges associated with the high-risk, high-reward nature of AI projects. It supports stakeholders in navigating these uncertainties through structured financial aid and collaborative frameworks, enhancing the feasibility of transitioning AI concepts from lab research to impactful commercial applications.

Overall, this AI-focused grant not only facilitates technological advancements within the industry but also reinforces Quebec's reputation as a hub for innovation by incentivizing projects that promise robust economic returns and align with long-term strategic objectives within the AI sector.