Fund to stimulate international business tourism – Stream 1

Q: What is the deadline to apply?

The program is accepting continuous intake

Q: Who can I contact for more information about the Fund to stimulate international business tourism – Stream 1?

You can contact Gouvernement du Québec by email at fstai@tourismelaval.com or by phone at 4385080830.

Q: Where is the Fund to stimulate international business tourism – Stream 1 available?

The Fund to stimulate international business tourism – Stream 1 program is available the province of QC.

Q: Are Indigenous Peoples eligible for the Fund to stimulate international business tourism – Stream 1 program?

Yes, Indigenous Peoples are eligible to apply for the Fund to stimulate international business tourism – Stream 1 program.

Last Update: July 22, 2025

QC, Canada

FSTAI stimulates international business tourism in Quebec

At a glance

Eligible Funding

From $5,000 to $200,000
Up to 50% of project cost

Timeline

Closing date : November 1, 2024

Financing Type

Grant and Funding

Eligible Industries

Arts, entertainment and recreation

Funds Providers

Unspecified

Program status

Closed

Overview

The Fonds pour stimuler le tourisme d’affaires international (FSTAI) Volet 1 offers non-repayable grants to enhance international business tourism in Québec by supporting the creation of business plans and bid books. Eligible activities include organizing international-scale congresses, corporate meetings, and trade shows, with a maximum funding of $50,000 per project and $200,000 per applicant.

Financing terms and conditions

The Fund to stimulate international business tourism provides financial support with specific conditions to maximize the impact of granted projects. This involves both direct assistance and conditions regarding fund matching and sourcing.

The financial support is a non-repayable grant.
The applicant and their partners must provide a portion of the funding, as detailed in the project's cost table.
The matching contribution from partners cannot include governmental sources, asset transfer, or in-kind contributions.
Total governmental funding must adhere to a maximum percentage of the total project cost.
Calculations for cumulative government aids consider repayable assistance at 50% of its value.
A minimum project scale is required, with eligible costs starting from $5,000.
Maximum aid per project is capped at $50,000.
The overall maximum assistance per applicant for all projects under streams 1 and 2 is $200,000.
Additional aid will not be provided to cover project cost overruns.

Activities funded

The Fund to stimulate international business tourism in Quebec supports the planning and preparation of international-scale business events to enhance the region's economic vitality. It finances the creation and development of bid books or business plans for eligible events.

Organization of international congresses held in Quebec.
Planning and hosting of major business meetings with international participation.
Execution of commercial exhibitions that attract international attendees and exhibitors.

Eligibility

Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific requirements related to the applicant's profile and operations within the event sector in Quebec.

The applicant must be one of the following: a for-profit organization (OBL), a non-profit organization (OBNL), a cooperative, a municipal entity, or an Indigenous community, organization, or nation recognized by the National Assembly.
Applicants must be engaged in the event sector as an organizing entity, a specialized event promotion entity, or a destination management organization.
Applicants must be a legally constituted company or entity in Quebec.

Who is eligible?

Eligible applicants for the Fonds pour stimuler le tourisme d’affaires international (FSTAI) include for-profit organizations, non-profit organizations, cooperatives, municipal entities, and Indigenous communities, organizations, and nations recognized by the National Assembly. Applicants must be active in the event sector, such as organizing or promoting events or managing destinations. They must also be legally constituted entities in Quebec. Specialized research applicants associated with research and education institutions will receive different financial support conditions. Ineligible applicants include suppliers and event agencies, government ministries and entities, government-controlled companies, state-owned enterprises, companies under bankruptcy protection, companies on the ineligibility registry for public contracts (RENA), companies that have defaulted on previous financial assistance obligations, and political parties.

Who is not eligible

This grant excludes certain companies and entities based on their status and main activities. Restrictions are in place to ensure the funds support entities driving international business tourism events in Quebec.

Event supplier companies and event agencies.
Ministries and agencies of the Government of Quebec or Canada.
Companies controlled directly or indirectly by a provincial or federal government.
Companies majority-owned by a state-owned enterprise.
Companies under the protection of the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act or the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act.
Companies listed in the Register of companies ineligible for public contracts (RENA).
Companies that have failed to meet obligations or have been legally notified in relation to prior financial aid during the two years before this grant application.
Political parties.

Eligible expenses

The grant covers specific expenses directly related to the preparation of business plans or bid books for international business tourism events.

Fees for external firms including consultation, writing, translation, editing, photo research, graphic design and layout, document research, legal or accounting services, and other pre-approved fees.
Printing costs for documents.
Shipping expenses.
Submission fees.

Eligible geographic areas

This grant is aimed at entities legally constituted and operating in Quebec, emphasizing regional economic and tourism development.

Organizations must be active and legally registered in the province of Quebec.

Selection criteria

The evaluation and selection of projects for this grant are based on specific criteria to ensure alignment with the grant’s objectives.

Eligibility.
Quality of the application.
Realism of the budget.
Potential impacts.
Scope and potential reach.
Potential for recurrence.
Alignment with the capacity of the host destination.
Valorization of Quebec's areas of excellence, innovation zones, industrial clusters, or high-potential tourism sectors.

How to apply

Become acquainted with the applicant's guide

Read the Applicant's Guide to fully understand the criteria and processes.

Preparation of documents

Fill out and sign the financial aid application form.
Prepare the submitted applications or confirmations of commitments from other governments.

Submission of the application

Send the request by email to fstai@tourismelaval.com.
Requests can be submitted on an ongoing basis, but project calls end on the specific dates mentioned.

Additional information

The following additional details may be relevant for applicants:

The maximum financial assistance per applicant for all projects under components 1 and 2 combined is $200,000.
The grant is provided as a non-repayable subsidy.
Applicants must ensure that their own and their partners' contributions do not come from sources considered under the cumulative government aid calculation, asset transfers, or contributions in goods and services.
The maximum cumulative aid from all government sources, including FSTAI, must adhere to the specified percentage limits based on total project costs.
The financial support amount may vary based on the availability of financial resources and the number of eligible applications.
A project cannot receive increased financial support to cover any cost overruns for approved projects.

Contacts

fstai@tourismelaval.com

4385080830

Apply to this program

Frequently Asked Questions about the Fund to stimulate international business tourism – Stream 1 Program

Here are answers to the most common questions about the Fund to stimulate international business tourism – Stream 1. 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 Fund to stimulate international business tourism – Stream 1?

How much funding can be received?

What is the deadline to apply?

Is the Fund to stimulate international business tourism – Stream 1 a grant, loan, or tax credit?

Who are the financial supporters of the Fund to stimulate international business tourism – Stream 1?

Who is eligible for the Fund to stimulate international business tourism – Stream 1 program?

To be eligible for the Fund to stimulate international business tourism – Stream 1 program, you must: The applicant must be a legally constituted entity in Quebec, such as a for-profit entity, non-profit organization, cooperative, municipal entity, or recognized Indigenous community or organization. The organization must be active in the event sector, including being an organizing entity, a promotion-specialized entity, or a destination management organization. Applicants specialized in research or affiliated with a research and educational institution are eligible for distinct financial aid modalities.