How much funding can be received?

Funds up to 30% of admissible expenses.

What is the deadline to apply?

The deadline to apply is not specified.

Who are the financial supporters of the Research, Innovation and Commercialization Tax Credit (CRIC)?

Research, Innovation and Commercialization Tax Credit (CRIC) is funded by Gouvernement du Québec

What are Research, Innovation and Commercialization Tax Credit (CRIC)'s eligibility criterias?

The applicant must be a company operating a business in Quebec and conducting eligible R&D or pre-commercialization activities. Individuals, trusts, and certain public corporations are not eligible. The company's work must be recognized as R&D by the federal government based on a harmonized definition.

Research, Innovation and Commercialization Tax Credit (CRIC)

Last Update: May 16, 2025

QC, Canada

Supports innovation and commercialization activities with tax incentives

Research, Innovation and Commercialization Tax Credit (CRIC) at a glance

Eligible Funding

Up to 30% of project cost

Timeline

Continuous Intakes

Financing Type

Tax Credits

Eligible Industries

Professional, scientific and technical services

Grant Providers

Gouvernement du Québec

Status

Opening Soon

Overview of the Research, Innovation and Commercialization Tax Credit (CRIC) program

The Research, Innovation and Commercialization Tax Credit (CRIC) offers up to 30% on the first $1 million of eligible expenditures, supporting Quebec companies in research and development (R&D) as well as pre-commercialization activities. Eligible activities include product and process development, prototyping, feasibility testing, regulatory certification, and market studies.

Financing terms and conditions

Enhanced rate of 30% applicable on the first $1 million of eligible expenditures per fiscal year.
Base rate of 20% on eligible expenditures exceeding the initial $1 million.
Associated corporations must share the $1 million expenditure cap for the enhanced 30% rate.

Eligible projects & activities

Development or improvement of products, processes, or technologies through research and development (R&D).
Prototyping and feasibility testing of new products or processes.
Pre-commercialization activities stemming directly from eligible R&D work.
Design and improvement of products as part of the pre-commercialization phase.
Conducting regulatory tests and obtaining necessary certifications for products being prepared for commercialization.
Industrial design and packaging development related to new products.
Market studies required for the commercialization of new products.

Eligibility criteria of the Research, Innovation and Commercialization Tax Credit (CRIC) program

The applicant must be a corporation operating a business in Quebec.
The corporation must carry out research and development (R&D) or pre-commercialization activities in Quebec.
Eligible activities include direct R&D or pre-commercialization, or subcontracting these activities to local partners.
Eligible R&D activities include the development or improvement of products, processes, or technologies, prototyping, and feasibility tests.
Eligible pre-commercialization activities include design and improvement of products, regulatory testing and certifications, industrial design and packaging, and necessary market studies for commercialization.
Eligible expenditures include salaries of employees located in Quebec involved in R&D, subcontracting expenses with companies based in Quebec, payments to research centers or university organizations, and capital expenses for new assets used exclusively for eligible activities for at least two years.
R&D work must be recognized as such by the federal government according to a harmonized definition.
Pre-commercialization activities must result directly from eligible R&D work.
The project must exceed a minimum exclusion threshold, either $50,000 or an amount calculated based on the number of employees engaged in eligible activities.
The eligible fiscal year must begin after March 25, 2025.

Who is eligible?

Technology companies
Manufacturing companies
Companies specializing in life sciences
Any enterprise operating in Quebec directly engaging in R&D or pre-commercialization activities
Companies subcontracting R&D or pre-commercialization activities to local partners in Quebec

Who is not eligible

Individuals
Trusts
Certain public corporations

Eligible expenses

Salaries of employees located in Quebec involved in R&D.
Subcontracting costs with Quebec-based companies.
Payments to research centers or university organizations.
Capital expenditures for the purchase of new assets used exclusively for eligible activities for at least two years.

Eligible geographic areas

Companies operating in Quebec.

Eligibility criteria of the Research, Innovation and Commercialization Tax Credit (CRIC) program

Respect of the exclusion threshold determined based on expenses and the number of employees involved in the covered activities.
Compliance of the declared works with the definition of R&D recognized by the federal government.
Rigorous and detailed documentation of eligible expenses.
Justification of the use of capital assets in Quebec for 730 consecutive days.
Verification of the origin of locally subcontracted activities, if applicable.
Sharing of expense limits for associated companies according to established rules.

How to apply to the Research, Innovation and Commercialization Tax Credit (CRIC) program

Step 1: Assess Eligibility and Plan ActivitiesReview the requirements to confirm that your organization and activities qualify for the CRIC program.
Carefully plan your R&D and pre-commercialization projects to maximize eligible expenditures.
Step 2: Document Eligible ExpensesKeep thorough documentation of all eligible costs, including salaries, subcontracting, capital purchases, and payments to research partners.
Ensure that capital assets are used exclusively for qualifying activities in Quebec for the required period (at least 730 consecutive days).
Step 3: Calculate Eligible Expenditures and Exclusion ThresholdDetermine the total amount of qualified expenditures.
Calculate the exclusion threshold based on the formula provided by the government (minimum $50,000 or a formula based on the number of employees).
Assess expenses in excess of the threshold for credit calculation.
Step 4: Prepare and File the Tax Credit ClaimComplete the designated forms for the CRIC as part of your corporate tax filing for a fiscal year beginning after March 25, 2025.
Accurately declare all qualifying expenditures and supporting information as required.
Step 5: Retain Supporting DocumentsKeep detailed documentation and evidence of all expenses and activities claimed in case of audit or review by government authorities.

Additional information

The enhanced 30% tax credit rate applies to the first $1 million of eligible expenses, with a base rate of 20% for spending above this threshold.
The augmented rate is accessible regardless of the size or asset value of the business.
The credit applies to fiscal years beginning after March 25, 2025.
The exclusion threshold is either $50,000 or an amount calculated based on the number of employees involved in R&D or pre-commercialization, and applies before the tax credit is calculated.
Government assistance received by the applicant reduces the amount of eligible expenditures for the tax credit calculation.
Associated companies must share the $1 million limit for the enhanced 30% rate.
Sound documentation of eligible expenses and detailed identification of pre-commercialization activities are encouraged to maximize the benefit.
The Quebec government has committed $2.4 billion to the CRIC over five years, with a planned increase in annual budget allocation through 2030.