CRIBIQ — PSO-Bioproducts and bioprocesses

• The project must involve at least one industrial company or association.
• For projects involving multiple companies, the major company's contribution to the industrial contribution cannot exceed 80%.
• Contributions from industrial participants cannot originate from governmental aid.
• Non-Quebec industrial participants are eligible as the second company on the project.
• Companies with 25 or more employees must provide a francization certificate or equivalent document.
• Companies operating in Quebec must maintain a website in French.
• The maximum grant subsidy is $500,000 per year, with a maximum total of $1,500,000 over three years, subject to budgetary adjustments by the ministry.

Who is eligible?

• Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)
• Large enterprises
• Enterprises that utilize biomass from plant, animal, aquatic, microbial, or residual sources
• Industries involved in bioenergy (solid, liquid, or gaseous biofuels)
• Industries specializing in bio-based chemicals (chemical intermediates, extractives, biosolvents, biosurfactants, bioadhesives, bio-based inks, biopesticides, etc.)
• Industries focusing on bio-based materials (bioplastics, biocomposites, biopolymers, etc.)

Eligible expenses

• Salaries and benefits, excluding those of university professors currently paid by their institution or a government funding agency, and those of college teachers released for project-related activities.
• Scholarships for students or postdoctoral trainees, with at least 20% of the budget allocated to student training.
• Materials (including small laboratory equipment), consumables, and supplies, but excluding capital equipment expenses.
• Purchase or rental of equipment, limited to a maximum of 25% of total eligible expenses, not exceeding $25,000 (pre-tax) per equipment item.
• Animal care and platform fees.
• Travel and accommodation expenses as per the Quebec Treasury Board standards.
• Management and operational fees for intellectual property (IP).
• Professional fees related to contracts or subcontracting incurred by a QBIC, justified and limited to a maximum of 10% of the total budget, not exceeding $25,000 and must adhere to the public contracts law.
• Management fees by CRIBIQ, representing 5% of the total project cost, taxes additional.

Eligible geographic areas

• Companies operating in Quebec, Canada.

• Caractère innovant ou perspectives d’innovation par rapport à l’état de l’art (critère éliminatoire).
• Adéquation entre les expertises scientifiques et les besoins des entreprises impliquées dans le projet (critère éliminatoire).
• Potentiel de retombées pour chacun des partenaires industriels impliqués.
• Collaboration et rôle actif des partenaires industriels.
• Qualité scientifique du projet.
• Niveau d’excellence ou d’expertise des équipes académiques impliquées versus la réalisation du projet.
• Faisabilité scientifique ou technique du projet.
• Structuration du projet, rigueur de définition des étapes et des livrables, et identification des jalons.
• Potentiel d’utilisation ou d’intégration des résultats du projet par les industriels impliqués dans le projet.
• Perspectives d’applications économiques et commerciales ou d’avantages concurrentiels.
• Réalité du calendrier.
• Justification du montage financier versus les dépenses.
• Formation de personnel qualifié (étudiants gradués, postdoc, techniciens, stagiaires, etc.), implication du personnel en transfert technologique.

• Step 1: Download and Review GuidelinesVisit the CRIBIQ website to download the guide for applicants.
• Review the program objectives and funding modalities.
• Understand the eligibility criteria and evaluation process.
• Step 2: Prepare Letter of IntentPrepare a Letter of Intent highlighting the innovative aspects of your project aligning with CRIBIQ's focus areas.
• Ensure inclusion of company and project details as per guidelines.
• Submit the Letter of Intent by May 14, 2025.
• Step 3: Wait for Eligibility ConfirmationContact Jean Philippe Chenel for eligibility validation before proceeding to detailed application.
• Step 4: Detailed Application PreparationDraft a comprehensive project proposal detailing objectives, methodology, and expected outcomes.
• Include financial projections, partner roles, and detailed budget using the provided calculation grid.
• Gather all required supporting documents.
• Step 5: Submit Detailed ApplicationSubmit the complete application with all necessary documents by July 11, 2025.
• Confirm membership status with CRIBIQ at the time of submission.

• Membership in CRIBIQ is required at the time of submission of the Detailed Application.
• Funding from the Ministry of Economy and Innovation (MEIE) influences the availability of the grant.
• No guarantee of grant approval is provided; terms and conditions are subject to change without notice.
• Membership fees must be paid by the partner organizations involved in the project.
• The industrial contribution must not originate from any government assistance.
• Quebec industrialists' contributions to indirect research costs are acknowledged as eligible expenses akin to those made by Quebec-based companies.
• A French-language website is mandatory for companies operating in Quebec.