How much funding can be received?

Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses, capped at $450000 per project.

What is the deadline to apply?

The deadline to apply is not specified.

Who are the financial supporters of the CQRDA — INNOV-R SME?

CQRDA — INNOV-R SME is funded by Centre québécois de recherche et de développement de l’aluminium (CQRDA)

What are CQRDA — INNOV-R SME's eligibility criterias?

The applying entity must be a small or medium-sized enterprise (SME) with 250 employees or less, incorporated under federal or Quebec laws, and registered with the Registraire des entreprises du Québec. The SME must have a business location in Quebec and conduct production and/or research & development activities within the province. The SME must demonstrate the ability to finance 50% of the eligible project costs and show a potential for growth, supported by financial statements from the last two years and a business plan for technology deployment.

CQRDA — INNOV-R SME

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QC, Canada

Innovative projects to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Quebec

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Grant and Funding

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Utilities
Manufacturing
Professional, scientific and technical services

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Centre québécois de recherche et de développement de l’aluminium (CQRDA)

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The INNOV-R SME grant provides up to $450,000 in funding to support innovative industrial research projects in Quebec aimed at significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Eligible activities include the development and improvement of new products or processes in collaboration with another Quebec enterprise or eligible entity.

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Co-financing is available up to 50% of eligible project costs.
Funding for a single project is capped at a maximum of $450,000.
The financial aid includes covering management fees by RSRI from INNOV-R SME funding.
Eligible projects have a maximum duration of two years.
Private financing must cover at least 50% of eligible project costs.
The applying SME must contribute a minimum of 20% of eligible project costs.

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Projects demonstrating a strong potential to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in Quebec.
Development of a new product, process, or significant improvement of an existing product or process.
Projects carried out in collaboration between a Quebec-based SME and another eligible Quebec enterprise or sector.
Innovative industrial research projects with a high potential for GHG reduction.

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$ 40,000

Expand a language training center for refugees

$ 30,000

Create a mobile book library for rural areas

$ 20,000

Develop a digital literacy program for seniors

$ 30,000

Implement an art therapy program for mental health

$ 35,000

Develop a local food resilience program

$ 50,000

Launch a sustainability-focused startup incubator

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The project must demonstrate a strong potential for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in Quebec.
It must achieve a minimum potential of 100,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalent reduced or avoided in Quebec within the first ten years post-commercialization.
The applicant must be an SME established in Quebec, conducting internal production or research and development activities in the province.
Projects must be carried out in collaboration with another Quebec-based company or eligible intermediary environment.
The project must involve the development of a new product or process, or significant improvement of an existing product or process.
The product or process must offer a significant advantage over existing solutions in the market, either nationally or internationally.
The project must involve technological or business risk for the SME.
The project must show significant commercial potential or deployment potential when the product or process is intended for sale.
The project must be of a one-time nature.
The applicant must be a Quebec-incorporated SME (250 employees or less), registered in the Quebec Business Register, having a place of business in Quebec, and engaged in production and/or R&D activities in Quebec.
The SME must demonstrate the capacity to finance 50% of the project's eligible costs and show growth potential, with financial statements from the last two years and a business plan required.
The partners must share costs and benefits equitably, with sufficient contributions.
Transactions between enterprises within the project are not eligible, as they are considered subcontracting.
Non-eligible applicants include development corporations (SADC), entities registered ineligible for public contracts (RENA), and companies under creditor protection or insolvency laws.

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Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) established and operating in Quebec, involved in production or R&D activities
Enterprises of all sizes established according to federal or Quebec laws and registered with the Quebec Enterprise Registrar, engaged in production or R&D activities in Quebec
Non-Profit Organizations (NPOs) or cooperatives established under federal or Quebec laws, registered with the Quebec Enterprise Registrar, engaged in production or R&D activities in Quebec
Hydro-Québec and its subsidiaries
Public organizations such as municipalities, ministries, and public transport corporations
Projects must involve collaboration with another Quebec enterprise or an eligible recipient environment

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Sociétés d’aide au développement des collectivités (SADC).
Enterprises inscrites au registre des entreprises non admissibles aux contrats publics (RENA), including subcontractors listed in the RENA.
Enterprises that failed to respect obligations in previous financial aid agreements from MEIE or IQ within the last two years.
Companies under the protection of the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act or the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act.
Holding companies.
Companies exhibiting unethical behavior that could harm the Government of Quebec's reputation for integrity.

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Professional fees for specialized services, including subcontracting services.
Direct labor costs associated with the project, including social benefits and mandatory contributions.
Travel and accommodation expenses related to the project, conforming to government standards.
Direct material and inventory costs.
Direct equipment costs, calculated based on the ratio of project duration over the useful life of the equipment.
Equipment rental fees.
Fees for acquiring studies or other documentation.
Platform fees.
Costs for preparing and obtaining intellectual property protection, including patent application fees.
Fees for obtaining necessary certifications or approvals for commercialization.
Management fees representing up to 5% of eligible project expenses.
Expenses incurred for the final external audit of the project.

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Companies based in Quebec, Canada.

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Degré d'innovation de la solution développée (50 points).
Qualité de l'équipe de réalisation, du partenariat et de la gestion du projet (50 points).
Potentiel commercial ou potentiel de déploiement de la solution développée (50 points).
Capacité de la PME à réaliser le projet avec succès en termes de ressources financières et humaines (50 points).
Retombées sociales, environnementales et économiques ou autres pour le Québec (50 points).
Capacité de la solution à réduire les émissions de GES au Québec pendant les dix premières années de la phase de commercialisation (50 points).
Quantification des émissions de GES réduites ou évitées, en tonnes de CO2 e/an au Québec (50 points).
Coût par tonne de CO2/e réduite ou évitée au Québec (50 points).
Risques liés au déploiement de la solution (50 points).

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The INNOV-R PME measure is part of Quebec's broader strategy to achieve its objectives of reducing greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) by 2030, aiming for a 37.5% reduction from 1990 levels.
Projects must demonstrate a potential reduction of at least 100,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalent in the first ten years post-commercialization.
While the subvention is primarily for the benefit of the SME submitting the project, partners' contributions are also recognized as admissible.
The RSRI responsible for the project collects management fees up to 5% of eligible project expenses, which are shared between industrial partners and the Ministry for managing the INNOV-R PME measure.
External audit costs incurred at the project's end are required for obtaining the final retention of 20% of the funding.