CQRDA — INNOV-R SME
QC, Canada
Innovative projects to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Quebec
grant_single|update March 16, 2025
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|maxCount
- grant_single|projectCostPercent
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|grantStatusClosed
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Manufacturing
grant_single|grantors
- Centre québécois de recherche et de développement de l’aluminium (CQRDA)
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|closed
grant_single_labels|preview
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.
grant_single_labels|terms_and_conditions
- Maximum funding of 50% of eligible expenses.
- Projects must secure a minimum of 50% private financing, with the applying SME contributing at least 20% of eligible expenses.
- Maximum project funding limit is $450,000 CAD, inclusive of RSRI management fees covered by INNOV-R SME.
- Funding is disbursed exclusively to the SME applying for the project, even in cases of collaborations with larger enterprises or institutions.
- Funding is not available to support expenses incurred by public organizations, although their contributions are considered admissible.
- Project duration should not exceed two years.
grant_single_labels|projects
- Projects demonstrating a strong potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Quebec.
- Development of new products or processes focused on significant GHG emission reductions.
- Enhancement of existing products or processes to improve GHG emission outcomes.
- Collaborative projects between Quebec SMEs and other eligible entities for GHG reduction solutions.
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$ 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
$ 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
grant_single_labels|admissibility
- The project must demonstrate a strong potential to reduce at least 100,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalents within the first ten years of commercialization.
- The project must be submitted by a small or medium-sized enterprise (SME) based in Quebec with internal production or R&D activities.
- The project must be executed in collaboration with another Quebec-based company or a qualified partner.
- The focus of the project must be on developing a new product or process or significantly improving an existing one with considerable innovation.
- The project must present a significant technological or business risk or uncertainty for the SME.
- The project must display a high commercial potential or substantial deployment potential if intended for sale.
- The application must be submitted by a federally or provincially registered SME with 250 or fewer employees, listed in Quebec's enterprise register, and operating in Quebec.
- The SME must be able to finance 50% of the project's eligible costs and demonstrate growth potential through financial statements and a business plan.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
- Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) established in Quebec, engaging in internal production or R&D activities.
- Enterprises of all sizes constituted according to federal or Quebec laws with a business location in Quebec, participating in production and/or RSDE activities.
- Non-profit organizations (NPOs) or cooperatives constituted according to federal or Quebec laws, registered in the Registraire des entreprises du Québec and engaging in production and/or RSDE activities.
- Hydro-Québec and its subsidiaries.
- Public organizations such as municipalities, ministries, or transport societies.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
- Societies for Community Development Assistance (SADC).
- Enterprises registered in the Register of Enterprises Not Eligible for Public Contracts (RENA), including those subcontractors registered in RENA.
- Companies that have not met their obligations after being duly notified, concerning financial aid granted by the MEIE or IQ within the Economic Development Fund (FDE), or IQ's own funds, in the two years prior to the application.
- Companies under the protection of the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act (RSC 1985, ch. C-36) or the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (RSC 1985, ch. B-3).
- Holding companies.
- Companies with ethical issues that could tarnish the government's image of integrity and probity, even by association.
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
- Professional fees for specialized services, including subcontracting services.
- Direct labor costs for personnel assigned to the project, including social benefits and mandatory contributions.
- Travel and accommodation expenses directly related to the project, in accordance with government standards.
- Direct material and inventory costs.
- Direct equipment costs, calculated based on the ratio of project duration to the equipment's useful life.
- Equipment rental fees.
- Acquisition costs of studies or other documentation.
- Platform fees.
- Costs for preparing intellectual property protection strategies, obtaining intellectual property protection, and acquiring rights or licenses.
- Fees for obtaining necessary approvals or certifications for commercialization.
- Management fees up to 5% of eligible expenses, divided between industrial partners and the Ministry of Economy, Innovation and Energy (MEIE) for project management.
- Costs for conducting a final external audit at the project's end.
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
- Companies based in Quebec, Canada.
grant_single_labels|criteria
- Degré d’innovation de la solution développée (worth 50 points).
- Qualité de l’équipe de réalisation, du partenariat et de la gestion du projet (worth 50 points).
- Potentiel commercial ou potentiel de déploiement de la solution développée (worth 50 points).
- Capacité de la PME à réaliser le projet avec succès en termes de ressources financières et humaines (worth 50 points).
- Retombées sociales, environnementales et économiques ou autres pour le Québec (combined worth 50 points).
- Capacité de la solution à réduire les émissions de GES au Québec during the first 10 years of commercialization (part of 50 points).
- Quantification of GES emissions reduced or avoided, in tonnes of CO2e/year in Quebec (part of 50 points).
- Cost per tonne of CO2e reduced or avoided in Quebec (part of 50 points).
- Risks related to the deployment of the solution (part of 50 points).
grant_single_labels|apply
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
- Beneficiaries of the funding must submit a final external audit report confirming all eligible expenses incurred and sources of financing received at the end of each funded project. Without this, a full reimbursement of the financial assistance could be requested.
- Any communication activities related to the grant must acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Quebec and adhere to the guidelines in the "Guide on Public Communications for Financial Assistance Beneficiaries" under the Green Economy Plan 2030.
grant_single_labels|contact
info@cqrda.ca
418-545-5520
Apply to this program
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