Data standardization support program

• Project description using the required template
• Detailed project budget using the required Excel instructions
• Partner letters of commitment confirming financial or in-kind participation, if applicable
• Project team presentation, project timeline, data management plan, and supplier quotes, if applicable
• Signed Conditions d’octroi de l’aide financière, latest approved financial statements, current board list, and, for private for-profit companies, shareholder and ownership details

Who is eligible?

• Non-profit organizations constituted under Part 3 of the Quebec Companies Act or the Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act
• Cooperatives constituted under the Quebec Cooperatives Act or the Canada Cooperatives Act
• Private for-profit companies constituted under Quebec or Canadian law

Who is not eligible

• Individuals operating sole proprietorships
• Ministries, health and education institutions, and Quebec government budgetary and non-budgetary bodies governed by the Financial Administration Act
• Universities and research centers
• Applicants listed in the Register of Enterprises Ineligible for Public Contracts, applicants who failed to respect obligations after formal notice within the 2 years before the request, and applicants who do not meet the integrity requirements expected of public-fund recipients
• Applicants that are insolvent, bankrupt, have filed a proposal under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act, have taken advantage of a law concerning bankruptcy or insolvency, or were supported in a previous call for projects under this program

Eligible expenses

• Equipment, technology, and tool design, development, acquisition, or adaptation costs
• Subcontracting fees and professional fees
• Study and consulting fees
• Staff training costs
• Labour costs, including benefits
• Administrative costs up to 5%
• Contingency costs up to 10%

Ineligible Costs and Activities

• Costs that are not directly related to the project
• Costs linked to normal operations or routine activities
• Costs already supported by another Ministry program or state-owned enterprise
• Costs incurred before the Ministry signs the grant announcement letter, which are not reimbursed
• Debt financing, loan repayment, financing of a project already completed, land or building acquisition, legal fees, and membership fees for international networks

• General analysis: project alignment with the program purpose and objectives (35%), quality of the descriptive data management plan (30%), and experience and competence of the project team, including external resources (35%).
• A minimum score of 70% is required to move from general analysis to specific analysis.
• Specific analysis: respect for recognized sector standards (15%), clarity and precision of the project (10%), applicant capacity to carry out the project (15%), feasibility and realism of the project and schedule (15%), budget realism and quality (15%), technological approach quality and relevance (10%), sustainable development principles (5%), and impact on ecosystem data quality (15%).
• Projects from applicants whose head office is outside the Quebec and Montreal metropolitan communities receive a 10% bonus.
• Projects that regularly publish descriptive data in open data receive a 5% bonus.

• Register or update your di@pason client partner profile before submitting the application; it is recommended to complete this at least one week before the deadline.
• Submit the application using the online form accessible through di@pason, which is automatically sent to the Ministry office responsible for processing.
• Submit according to the call-for-project dates set out in the Ministry calendar.

• The Ministry assesses applications with CALQ and SODEC in two stages: general analysis and specific analysis.
• A minimum score of 70% is required to reach the specific analysis stage; otherwise, the application is refused.
• During analysis, the applicant must provide any additional information or documents requested by the Ministry and correct any deficiencies within the deadlines given.
• After funding is confirmed, the Ministry pays a first tranche of 50% to 85% of the announced amount; the balance is paid when the accountability report meets the Ministry's requirements, and that report must be filed within 3 months after project end, followed by the mandatory results follow-up 12 months later.
• The beneficiary must sign the funding conditions agreement, keep related documents for 7 years, and allow reasonable access to its premises, books, and documents for verification up to 3 years after project completion or until disputes are resolved, whichever is later.