How much funding can be received?

Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses, capped at $450000 per project.

What is the deadline to apply?

The deadline to apply is 2025-05-16T00:00:00Z.

Who are the financial supporters of the innovÉÉ — INNOV-R — SME?

innovÉÉ — INNOV-R — SME is funded by innovÉÉ

What are innovÉÉ — INNOV-R — SME's eligibility criterias?

The project must be submitted by a small or medium-sized enterprise (SME) established and operating in Quebec, conducting internal production or R&D activities. The SME must demonstrate a strong potential for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in Quebec, with at least 100,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalent reduced or avoided within the first ten years after commercialization. The project must be collaborative, involving another Quebec-based company or public research institution, focusing on developing a new product, process, or significantly improving an existing one.

innovÉÉ — INNOV-R — SME

Last Update: April 5, 2025

QC, Canada

Supporting industrial research for GHG reduction in Quebec

innovÉÉ — INNOV-R — SME at a glance

Eligible Funding

Max. $450,000
Up to 50% of project cost

Timeline

Open Date : April 4, 2025
Closing date : May 16, 2025

Financing Type

Grant and Funding

Eligible Industries

Utilities
Manufacturing
Transportation and warehousing

Grant Providers

innovÉÉ

Status

Open

Overview of the innovÉÉ — INNOV-R — SME program

The INNOV-R PME grant offers a maximum funding amount of $450,000 to support innovative industrial research projects with high potential for greenhouse gas emission reductions in Quebec. Eligible activities must demonstrate significant innovation and collaboration with another Quebec-based company or eligible research environment.

Financing terms and conditions

Maximum financial aid of $450,000 per project, covering up to 50% of eligible expenses.
Private contributions must cover at least 50% of the eligible expenses.
Public organizations can partner with a maximum contribution of 10% of total expenses.
Project duration is capped at 2 years.
5% of the budget must be allocated for program management fees, collected by InnovÉÉ.

Eligible projects & activities

Development of new products or processes with significant improvements for GHG reduction.
Collaboration with another Quebec enterprise or a public research institution for project implementation.
Projects demonstrating strong potential to reduce or avoid at least 100,000 tonnes of CO2 eq. within the first ten years after commercialization.
Projects that present an innovative advantage compared to existing market solutions at a national or international level.
Projects demonstrating commercial potential or significant deployment when the product or process is intended for sale.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 20,000

Launching a community art program for mental health awareness

$ 25,000

Launching a digital literacy program for seniors

$ 30,000

Developing an eco-friendly packaging line for local products

$ 85,000

Implementing renewable energy solutions in rural areas

$ 75,000

Creating a bilingual educational platform for immigrant children

$ 95,000

Establishing a mobile health clinic for underserved communities

Eligibility criteria of the innovÉÉ — INNOV-R — SME program

The project must demonstrate a strong potential for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in Quebec, with a minimum potential of 100,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalent reduced or avoided during the first ten years after commercialization.
The application must be submitted by a small or medium enterprise (SME) established in Quebec, engaged in internal production or research and development (R&D) activities within the province.
The project must be developed in collaboration with another Quebec-based company or a public research institution in Quebec.
The project must involve the development of a new product or process, or a significant improvement to an existing product or process.
The project must present a necessary level of innovation, providing a distinct advantage over existing market solutions and within its sector nationally or internationally.
The project must include a technological or business risk or uncertainty for the SME.
The project must demonstrate commercial potential or significant deployment potential if the product or process is intended for sale.
The project must have a punctual nature.

Who is eligible?

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) established in Quebec.
Companies involved in research and development (R&D) within Quebec.
Public enterprises or institutions of research based in Quebec.
Businesses demonstrating a strong potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Companies aiming to develop new products, processes, or improve existing ones with significant innovation.
Organizations engaged in collaborative projects with other Quebec-based enterprises or research institutions.
Entities capable of demonstrating significant commercial or deployment potential for their innovative solutions.

Who is not eligible

Companies registered on the Register of Ineligible Enterprises for Public Contracts (RENA), including subcontractors involved in the project.
Companies that have not fulfilled obligations related to previous financial aid from the MEIE or Investissement Québec within two years preceding the application.
Companies under protection from creditors or bankruptcy laws.
Holding companies.
Companies with ethical behavior that may harm the image of integrity of the Quebec government.

Eligible expenses

Professional fees for specialized services, including subcontracting services.
Direct labor costs assigned to the project, including social benefits and contributions to mandatory plans.
Travel and subsistence expenses related to the project's execution, compliant with current government management policies.
Direct costs of materials and inventory.
Direct costs of equipment, calculated based on the project's duration versus the equipment's useful life.
Equipment rental fees.
Costs for acquiring studies or other documentation.
Platform fees.
Costs for preparing an intellectual property protection strategy, obtaining IP protection, acquiring IP rights or licenses, including patent application fees such as agent fees.
Costs for obtaining necessary homologation or certification for commercialization.
Management fees representing up to 5% of the project's eligible expenses, collected by the industrial cluster.
Fees incurred for conducting the final external audit of the project (end of the project, conditional for obtaining the 20% retention).

Eligible geographic areas

Companies established in Quebec, Canada.

Eligibility criteria of the innovÉÉ — INNOV-R — SME program

Degree of innovation of the solution developed.
Quality of the project team's execution, partnership, and project management.
Commercial potential or deployment potential of the solution developed.
Ability of the SME to successfully carry out the project, in terms of financial and human resources.
Social, environmental, economic or other benefits for Quebec.
Ability of the solution to reduce GHG emissions in Quebec during the first ten (10) years of commercialization.
Quantification of GHG emissions reduced or avoided, in CO2 equivalent tons/year in Quebec.
Cost per ton of CO2 equivalent reduced or avoided in Quebec.
Risks associated with the deployment of the solution.

How to apply to the innovÉÉ — INNOV-R — SME program

Launch of the call for projects

Consult the Innov-R website and the RSRI sites for project announcements.

Deposit of the letter of intent

Complete and sign the letter of intent by the authorized person.
Include attachments such as financial statements.
Check eligibility against the criteria in sections 4.1 and 4.2.
Submit the letter of intent before the deadline.

Analysis and response to letters of intent

Receive a post-analysis response to find out if you are invited to submit a detailed application.

Submission of the detailed request

Gather the required documents such as financial statements and the business plan.
Complete the application form and have it signed by the authorized person.
Include a project schedule, letters of commitment from partners, and financial arrangements.
Submit all documents to the relevant RSRI based on your targeted sector.

Project Evaluation

The projects are evaluated by a committee of experts for technical-economic feasibility and the potential for reducing GHG emissions.

Confirmation of the funding for the selected projects

Receive a funding confirmation by email from the RSRI to which the project was submitted.

Additional information

5% of the project's budget must be allocated for program management fees, which are collected by InnovÉÉ.
Public organizations can participate as partners but are limited to a maximum of 10% of the total project expenses.
The INNOV-R PME initiative is part of Quebec’s broader Green Economy Plan 2030, aimed at significant GHG reductions.
The funding is administered by the Ministry of Economy, Innovation, and Energy (MEIE) and sourced from the Electrification and Climate Change Fund (FECC).

Contact innovÉÉ

514 875-0032

Apply to this program

Investment support for feasibility studies in Quebec