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Research, Innovation and Commercialization Tax Credit (CRIC)
Refundable tax credit for Quebec business R&D and precommercialization
Last Update: March 4, 2026
Funding available
$ 50,000 - $ 1,000,000
Timeline
- Open Date : March 26, 2025
Location
Quebec, Canada
Overview
The Research, Innovation and Commercialization Tax Credit (CRIC) offers Quebec businesses a refundable tax credit of up to 30% on eligible expenses, with a maximum of $1 million, for research and development as well as pre-commercialization activities. The program aims to support scientific research, experimental development, product design, and technology validation carried out in Quebec.
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Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Develop a new product or service
- Conduct research and development activities
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 1,000,000 $
- Minimum amount : 50,000 $
- Up to 30% of project cost
Timeline
- Open Date : March 26, 2025
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Manufacturing
- Professional, scientific and technical services
Location
- Quebec
Legal structures
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Startups
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Conducting scientific research projects to advance technological or scientific knowledge, including both pure and applied research.
- Developing new materials, products, devices, or processes through experimental development activities.
- Improving existing materials, products, devices, or processes with technological enhancements.
- Carrying out pre-commercialization activities, such as technology trials, regulatory validations, or certifications necessary before marketing an innovation.
- Designing products to enhance form, aesthetics, functionality, or material selection in connection with prior research and development work.
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Companies operating a business in Quebec that carry out research and experimental development (R-D) activities.
- Companies conducting pre-commercialization activities of innovations developed in Quebec.
Who is not eligible
- Companies that claim another Québec tax credit for the same expenditure (e.g., cannot apply for both CRIC and another tax credit such as the Investment and Innovation Tax Credit (C3i) for the same costs).
- Companies holding an initial certificate for the tax holiday for large investment projects cannot claim CRIC for expenses related to property used or acquired for that project.
Eligible expenses
- Salaries or wages paid to employees conducting eligible activities.
- 50% of payments made to subcontractors under contracts carried out in Quebec.
- 50% of payments to eligible public research centres, research consortia, or eligible university entities.
- Acquisition costs of equipment, excluding buildings, land, or rights to use buildings or land.
Eligible geographic areas
- Quebec
Additional information
- The prescribed application form for the CRIC will be made available in 2025.
- Quebec's legislation is harmonized with federal definitions of R&D for program purposes.
- The Canada Revenue Agency is responsible for the scientific review of R&D work claimed under this program.
- Detailed government documents, such as the Budget 2025-2026 and additional information releases, provide further reference for applicants.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Research, Innovation and Commercialization Tax Credit (CRIC) Program
Here are answers to the most common questions about the Research, Innovation and Commercialization Tax Credit (CRIC). This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.
What is the Research, Innovation and Commercialization Tax Credit (CRIC)?
The Research, Innovation and Commercialization Tax Credit (CRIC) offers Quebec businesses a refundable tax credit of up to 30% on eligible expenses, with a maximum of $1 million, for research and development as well as pre-commercialization activities. The program aims to support scientific research, experimental development, product design, and technology validation carried out in Quebec.
How much funding can be received?
Research, Innovation and Commercialization Tax Credit (CRIC) Funds up to 30% of admissible expenses, capped at $1,000,000 per project.
Who is eligible for the Research, Innovation and Commercialization Tax Credit (CRIC) program?
To be eligible for the Research, Innovation and Commercialization Tax Credit (CRIC) program, you must:
Operate a business in Quebec
Conduct eligible R&D or precommercialization activities in Quebec
Be a corporation (company)
What expenses are eligible under Research, Innovation and Commercialization Tax Credit (CRIC)?
Conducting scientific research projects to advance technological or scientific knowledge, including both pure and applied research.
Developing new materials, products, devices, or processes through experimental development activities.
Improving existing materials, products, devices, or processes with technological enhancements.
Carrying out pre-commercialization activities, such as technology trials, regulatory validations, or certifications necessary before marketing an innovation.
Designing products to enhance form, aesthetics, functionality, or material selection in connection with prior research and development work.
Where is the Research, Innovation and Commercialization Tax Credit (CRIC) available?
The Research, Innovation and Commercialization Tax Credit (CRIC) program is available the province of Quebec.
Is the Research, Innovation and Commercialization Tax Credit (CRIC) a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Research, Innovation and Commercialization Tax Credit (CRIC) is a Tax Credits
Who are the financial supporters of the Research, Innovation and Commercialization Tax Credit (CRIC)?
Research, Innovation and Commercialization Tax Credit (CRIC) is funded by Gouvernment of Québec