Innovation Program — Stream 1 – Support for innovation projects

Who is eligible?

The eligible applicants for this grant program include enterprises or groupings of enterprises across various sectors legally constituted under Quebec or Canadian laws and having an operational establishment in Quebec. Moreover, social economy enterprises as defined by the Social Economy Act can also apply, subject to specific pre-application validation requirements.

• Businesses of any industry legally incorporated under the laws of Quebec or Canada with operations in Quebec.
• Social economy enterprises, provided they comply with processes established by the Ministry of Economy and Innovation prior to application submission.
• Projects must be undertaken by a standalone business, a coalition of businesses, or in collaboration with public research centers.
• Applicants listed in the Register of businesses ineligible for public contracts are excluded.
• Enterprises that failed to meet obligations in previous financial aids from the Quebec government within the past two years may not apply.
• State-run entities or those controlled by municipal, provincial, or federal governments are not eligible.
• Companies under protection of the Company Creditors Arrangement Act or Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act are ineligible.
• Holdings companies and those engaged in business practices that could negatively impact the integrity of the Quebec government are prohibited from applying.
• Businesses involved in certain sectors like weapon production, fossil fuel extraction, or prohibited ethical activities (e.g., gambling, violence, or exploitation) are also not eligible.

Who is not eligible

This grant excludes certain companies and industries due to their compliance status, control structure, or main activity. The restrictions aim to ensure that funds are directed toward companies that align with the program's goals of fostering innovation and sustainable economic growth in Quebec.

• Companies registered on the "Registre des entreprises non admissibles aux contrats publics (RENA)."
• Companies controlled directly or indirectly by a government or government-controlled entity.
• Companies under protection by the "Loi sur les arrangements avec les créanciers des compagnies" or the "Loi sur la faillite et l’insolvabilité."
• Holding companies.
• Companies involved in unethical practices damaging to the Quebec government's image.
• Companies involved in the following sectors:
• Production or distribution of weapons.
• Fossil fuel industries, excluding activities aiming at carbon reduction.
• Gambling and games of chance, violent games, combat sports, racing.
• Sexual exploitation industries (e.g., erotic bars, escort agencies).
• Production and sale of tobacco or drugs, with exceptions for cannabis and industrial hemp.
• Activities protected by the "Charte canadienne des droits et libertés" (e.g., religion, politics).

Eligible expenses

The grant covers specific expenses that are reasonable and essential for the completion of the project.

• Professional fees for specialized services, including those detailed in the service offer of an eligible public research center.
• Subcontracting services.
• Direct labor costs assigned to the project, including social benefits and mandatory contributions, as well as project management fees.
• Travel and accommodation expenses related to the implementation of the project, in line with current government standards, including for potential clients attending demonstrations or visiting a technical showcase.
• Direct costs of materials and inventory.
• Direct costs of equipment, calculated based on the project's duration relative to the equipment's useful life.
• Equipment rental charges.
• Acquisition costs for studies or other documentation.
• Animal facility and platform expenses.
• Costs for preparing an intellectual property protection strategy, obtaining intellectual property protection, and acquiring intellectual property rights or licenses, including patent agent fees.
• Certification or accreditation necessary for commercialization.
• Participation costs in exhibitions and trade shows to present the product or process and attract potential clients to the technical showcase.
• In cases of projects submitted by a non-profit organization for a group of companies, financial aid can cover up to 7% of admissible project expenses for the following:
• Project setup costs by a non-profit organization.
• Project management fees by a non-profit organization.

Eligible geographic areas

The Innovation Program — Stream 1 is specifically designed for companies with an operational establishment in the Quebec region of Canada. The program aims to bolster economic growth and innovation within the province.

• Bas-St-Laurent
• Gaspésie-Iles-de-la-Madeleine
• Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean
• Côte-Nord
• Capitale Nationale
• Mauricie
• Estrie
• Centre-du-Québec
• Montréal
• Outaouais
• Laval
• Abitibi-Témiscamingue
• Nord du Québec
• Lanaudière
• Laurentides
• Chaudière-Appalaches
• Montérégie

Here are some additional relevant details for this grant:

• The funding provided is in the form of a non-repayable contribution.
• Private contributions must make up at least 25% of eligible expenses, or 20% for social economy enterprises.
• Applications are reviewed continuously, but funding is subject to budget availability.
• The project duration cannot exceed five years, with a preference for timelines under three years.
• Government aid cannot be combined with aid from other Ministry of Economy and Innovation programs or Investissement Québec.
• The grant includes contributions from ministries or government organizations at the federal, provincial, and municipal levels.
• Recipients must notify the minister immediately if they receive additional financial aid for the project.
• Demand for aid is processed by Investissement Québec's administrative units.