CQRDA — INNOV-R SME

Who is eligible?

• 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

Who is not eligible

• 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.

Eligible expenses

• 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.

Eligible geographic areas

• Companies based in Quebec, Canada.

• 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.