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Évolution-Compétences — Innovation and knowledge component

Supports innovative workforce skills development projects

Offered by
Commission des partenaires du marché du travail (CPMT)

Source change captured

Funding available
Up to 100% of project cost
Deadline
Open continuously
Location
Canada
Who can apply
Associations and other member organizations of the Commission des partenaires du marché du travail (CPMT)
See full eligibility

Overview

Évolution-Compétences – volet Innovation et connaissance supports regional projects in Montérégie, Estrie, Mauricie, Gaspésie–Îles-de-la-Madeleine, Lanaudière and Côte-Nord, with reimbursement that can reach 100% of eligible expenses. Eligible initiatives include diagnostics or studies, innovative training tested with pilot groups, and concertation activities related to skills development knowledge.

At a glance

Funding available

Maximum share of project costs
100%
Financing goals
  • Conduct research and development activities
  • Develop workforce skills

Eligible candidates

Location
  • Canada
Eligible Industries
All industries
Annual revenue
All revenue ranges
Organisation size
All organization sizes
Audience
All groups
Legal structures
Non-profit, Public or Parapublic institution, For-profit business

Start applying for this program

Take a practical assessment to gain a clear understanding of how well this program aligns with your specific needs and long-term goals.

Availability timeline

2026
Periods: 1

Latest changes

Lanaudière guide adds regional priorities and process details

A new official Lanaudière guide for the Évolution-Compétences Innovation and knowledge stream now sets out regional priorities, eligible and ineligible activities, the submission steps, and the contact person.

See more

The official Lanaudière guide for the Évolution-Compétences Innovation and knowledge stream now identifies two regional priorities: labour shortages and SME challenges. It also adds detailed guidance on the kinds of projects sought, the activities allowed and not allowed, and the project-selection criteria. The guide further lays out a multi-step submission process, including a pre-submission orientation, a simplified pre-deposit form that may be requested, the information required for the official application, and a quarterly-style deposit calendar with spring/summer, fall, and winter cycles. It also publishes the contact person and email address for submissions.

Official source: cpmt.gouv.qc.ca
October 1, 2026

Eligibility

Who is eligible?

  • Associations and other member organizations of the Commission des partenaires du marché du travail (CPMT)
  • Private or public organizations that demonstrate they have the resources and expertise to carry out the project
  • Educational institutions recognized by the ministère de l’Éducation and the ministère de l’Enseignement supérieur
  • Indigenous organizations working in employability and skills development

Who is not eligible

  • Municipalities
  • Quebec government ministries, agencies, and state-owned corporations, and federal government ministries, agencies, and state-owned corporations
  • Organizations funded more than 50% by public funds, except those in the sector covered by the Comité sectoriel de main-d’œuvre de l’économie sociale et de l’action communautaire, Compétence culture, private non-conventioned long-term care centres, and Indigenous businesses or organizations
  • Political parties or associations
  • Organizations with an outstanding debt to the ministère de l’Emploi et de la Solidarité sociale unless covered by a written repayment agreement, organizations engaged in controversial activities, organizations affected by a labour dispute, and organizations subject to the Charter of the French language without a francization certificate

Eligible expenses

  • Salaries for internal resources assigned to the project and for staff from collaborating organizations
  • Professional fees for researchers, consultants, trainers, and other project specialists, as well as essential project inputs such as databases, software, licences, platforms, and specialized technical tools
  • Room and equipment rental, and wages for workers participating in the project
  • Travel, meal, and accommodation costs, as well as interpreter services or adapted pedagogical material for workers with limitations
  • Pedagogical and promotional materials, linguistic revision, diagnostic tool licences, applicable tax reimbursement, and project administration costs

Ineligible Costs and Activities

  • Activities started before the agreement is signed by all parties
  • Training delivered in a language other than French, except English-language training when Quebec laws and regulations allow it for the participant’s job function
  • Projects that can be funded through another FDRCMO or FDMT subsidy program
  • Activities related to human resources management

Eligible geographic areas

  • Montérégie
  • Estrie
  • Mauricie
  • Gaspésie–Îles-de-la-Madeleine
  • Lanaudière
  • Côte-Nord

Activities funded

  • Development of diagnostics, analyses, or studies to improve knowledge related to skills development
  • Development, piloting, dissemination to pilot groups, and evaluation of innovative training
  • Concertation activities related to knowledge development

How to apply

  • For Lanaudière, preliminary discussions with Services Québec and project qualification are optional; a simplified pre-submission form may be requested as part of this process.
  • For the September Lanaudière call for proposals 2026, submit the complete official application to Renaud-A M-Dufresne at Renaud-Alexis.Merette-Dufresne@servicesquebec.gouv.qc.ca; the posted deadline is 16 October 2026 or when the available funds are exhausted, whichever comes first.
  • For Montérégie, first submit the project summary (Appendix 2) to Andréanne Beaudoin at andreanne.beaudoin@servicesquebec.gouv.qc.ca before 21 September 2026.
  • Upon invitation, submit the complete Montérégie project and the required documents to the same address no later than Wednesday 28 October 2026 at 16 h; the call for proposals closes earlier if the available budget is exhausted.
  • For Estrie, first submit the project summary (Appendix 2) to Andréanne Beaudoin at andreanne.beaudoin@servicesquebec.gouv.qc.ca; following the preliminary review, you may be invited to submit the complete project.
  • Submit the complete Estrie project and the required documents to the same address no later than Thursday 15 October 2026 at 16 h; the call for proposals closes earlier if the available budget is exhausted.

Documents Needed

  • A summary project presentation form when the regional call includes an initial screening stage.
  • A detailed project presentation describing the context or problem, objectives, planned activities, expected results, and indicators.
  • A detailed implementation plan with a schedule.
  • A detailed financial plan or cost breakdown, including promoter and partner contributions where applicable.
  • Supporting partnership documents, such as letters of support, and, where applicable, a signed board resolution and a list of participating businesses.

Selection criteria

  • How clearly the project responds to the program objectives and the applicable regional priorities or problem
  • The project’s innovative character and its distinction from existing regional or government actions
  • The project’s regional, territorial, or sectoral reach, including its transferability and structuring impact
  • The level of concertation and involvement of labour-market partners
  • The quality of the implementation plan, indicators, follow-up mechanisms, expected outcomes, and the applicant’s capacity to deliver the project

Processing and Agreement

  • Applications are received and reviewed on a rolling basis, subject to available budget and the applicable regional call.
  • Files are evaluated by a committee made up of regional CRPMT members in collaboration or concertation with Services Québec.
  • Applicants may be invited to present their project or answer requests for clarification during the review process.
  • Recommended projects must be approved by the regional CRPMT, and applicants then receive a response.
  • No project may begin before the agreement is officially signed by all parties.

Additional information

  • This stream is one of the three components of the Évolution-Compétences program.
  • An application for financial assistance may be submitted under each of the program’s streams.
  • Calls for projects may further specify eligible activities and training methods; otherwise, the delivery method is at the promoter’s discretion.

Contacts

partenaires@mess.gouv.qc.ca
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Frequently Asked Questions about the Évolution-Compétences — Innovation and knowledge component Program

What is the Évolution-Compétences — Innovation and knowledge component?

Évolution-Compétences – volet Innovation et connaissance supports regional projects in Montérégie, Estrie, Mauricie, Gaspésie–Îles-de-la-Madeleine, Lanaudière and Côte-Nord, with reimbursement that can reach 100% of eligible expenses. Eligible initiatives include diagnostics or studies, innovative training tested with pilot groups, and concertation activities related to skills development knowledge.

How much funding can be received?

Évolution-Compétences — Innovation and knowledge component Funds up to 100% of admissible expenses.

What is the deadline to apply?

The program is accepting continuous intake

Who is eligible for the Évolution-Compétences — Innovation and knowledge component program?

To be eligible for the Évolution-Compétences — Innovation and knowledge component program, you must: The applicant must be an eligible organization able to carry out the project. The project must align with the objectives of Évolution-Compétences, volet Innovation et connaissance. The project must meet the applicable regional call requirements and cannot exceed 24 months.

What expenses are eligible under Évolution-Compétences — Innovation and knowledge component?

Salaries for internal resources assigned to the project and for staff from collaborating organizations Professional fees for researchers, consultants, trainers, and other project specialists, as well as essential project inputs such as databases, software, licences, platforms, and specialized technical tools Room and equipment rental, and wages for workers participating in the project Travel, meal, and accommodation costs, as well as interpreter services or adapted pedagogical material for workers with limitations Pedagogical and promotional materials, linguistic revision, diagnostic tool licences, applicable tax reimbursement, and project administration costs

Who can I contact for more information about the Évolution-Compétences — Innovation and knowledge component?

You can contact Commission des partenaires du marché du travail (CPMT) by email at partenaires@mess.gouv.qc.ca.

Where is the Évolution-Compétences — Innovation and knowledge component available?

The Évolution-Compétences — Innovation and knowledge component program is available across Canada.