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CQRDA — Providers-Clients
Joint innovation support for Quebec aluminum partners
Last Update: April 9, 2026
Funding available
$ 1,000,000
Timeline
- Closing date : March 27, 2026
Location
Quebec, Canada
Overview
This program supports joint innovation projects between equipment suppliers and aluminum-sector clients in Quebec. It helps fund the introduction of new products or processes, technology deployment, and modernization efforts in aluminum production and processing.
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Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
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 : 1,000,000 $
- Up to 30.000002% of project cost
Timeline
- Closing date : March 27, 2026
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Manufacturing
Location
- Quebec
Legal structures
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Canadians
- Startups
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Innovation projects to introduce a new product or process in an aluminum plant or processing facility in Quebec
- Proof of concept, product or process development, testing, validation, demonstration, and deployment of new technology
Documents Needed
- Completed and signed application form
- Budget and financial package
- Financial statements for the last two years
- Signed letter confirming each partner’s participation
- Detailed supplier offer, CVs, Gantt schedule, and expense justification
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Equipment suppliers
- Quebec aluminum processors
- Primary aluminum producers in Quebec
- Joint partnerships between Quebec companies
Who is not eligible
- Companies controlled by a government or a municipal entity
- Companies mostly owned by a Crown corporation
- Businesses under bankruptcy or creditor protection proceedings
- Companies listed in the Registre des entreprises non admissibles aux contrats publics
- Companies with related-party ties to a partner supplier
Eligible expenses
- Professional fees and specialized subcontracting
- Direct labor, project management, materials, inventory, and small equipment rental or purchase
- Travel, accommodation, studies, documentation, and commercialization certification or homologation costs
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Expenses incurred before the application is submitted
- Internal transactions between participating partners, including equipment or technology purchases by the client from another partner
- Debt service, loan repayment, and regular operating costs
- Recurring software subscriptions, software updates, and intellectual property maintenance
- Land, building construction, expansion, and Quebec sales taxes
Eligible geographic areas
- Quebec
Selection criteria
- Overall quality of the project and the supplier-client partnership
- Risk level, realism of the implementation plan, and technical and financial capacity of the partners
- Innovation level, commercial potential, and expected follow-up sales
- Contribution to modernization, productivity, competitiveness, and Quebec economic benefits
How to apply
1
Reading the Guide
Make sure to read the entire application presentation guide available on the CQRDA website.
2
Preparation of Documents
- Fill out the form "Call for Innovation Projects in Supplier/Client Partnership Mode – Request for Financial Assistance".
- Develop the budget and financial package.
- Draft and sign the project participation letter by each partner.
- Provide financial statements from the last two years or projected ones for a new business.
- Compile the detailed service offer from suppliers or project specialists.
- Include a summary CV of the resources participating in the project.
- Prepare a detailed schedule in the form of a GANTT chart.
- Justification of detailed expenses for each partner.
- Any other documents necessary for analysis by the expert committee.
3
Submission of the Request
- Send the application electronically to the email address: ProjetsRD@cqrda.ca.
- Verify that the documents are complete and meet the eligibility criteria before sending.
4
Waiting for the Evaluation
- Requests will be evaluated by a committee of independent experts.
- Wait for confirmation of the acceptance or rejection of the request.
Processing and Agreement
- The CQRDA first checks whether the application is admissible
- Eligible applications are then reviewed by an expert committee
- Only selected projects with all required approvals are accepted
- Approved beneficiaries sign a funding agreement with the CQRDA
Additional information
- Applications must be submitted jointly by the partners.
- The project must be completed before March 31, 2028.
- A signed collaboration agreement will be required if the project is approved.
- The program documents include a guide, application form, and financial package template.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the CQRDA — Providers-Clients Program
What is the CQRDA — Providers-Clients?
This program supports joint innovation projects between equipment suppliers and aluminum-sector clients in Quebec. It helps fund the introduction of new products or processes, technology deployment, and modernization efforts in aluminum production and processing.
How much funding can be received?
CQRDA — Providers-Clients Funds up to 30.000002% of admissible expenses, capped at $1,000,000 per project.
Who is eligible for the CQRDA — Providers-Clients program?
To be eligible for the CQRDA — Providers-Clients program, you must:
Joint application by Quebec partners
Equipment supplier and aluminum-sector client
Project includes technology implementation
What expenses are eligible under CQRDA — Providers-Clients?
Innovation projects to introduce a new product or process in an aluminum plant or processing facility in Quebec
Proof of concept, product or process development, testing, validation, demonstration, and deployment of new technology
Who can I contact for more information about the CQRDA — Providers-Clients?
You can contact Centre québécois de recherche et de développement de l’aluminium (CQRDA) by email at projetsRD@cqrda.ca or by phone at 418-545-5520.
Where is the CQRDA — Providers-Clients available?
The CQRDA — Providers-Clients program is available the province of Quebec.
Is the CQRDA — Providers-Clients a grant, loan, or tax credit?
CQRDA — Providers-Clients is a Partnering and Collaboration