innovÉÉ — INNOV-R

• Funding can cover up to 50% of eligible project expenses, based on the financing track.
• A maximum of 80% of eligible project cash expenses can be publicly funded.
• The INNOV-R contribution is capped at $8,500,000 per year through the regular track, or at $499,999 through the express track.
• Private sector partners must contribute at least 20% of eligible costs, with up to 50% of this contribution allowed as in-kind.
• Eligible indirect research costs may be supported at a rate of 27% of certain direct costs, and management fees may be charged up to 5% of eligible expenses (maximum $50,000).

• The project must be a collaborative R&D project within technology readiness levels (TRL) 1 to 6.
• At least one participating company must have R&D and/or production activities in Quebec.
• The project must involve a university, a college center for technology transfer (CCTT), or a public research center.
• The subsidy can cover up to 50% of eligible expenses.
• A maximum of 80% of the project's cash eligible expenses can be covered by public funding.
• The company must provide a minimum contribution of 20% of eligible expenses, with up to 50% of this in-kind.
• Cities and municipalities, non-profit organizations (NPOs), and state corporations may be eligible.
• The project must demonstrate a strong potential to reduce GHG emissions in Quebec.
• Eligibility requires avoiding duplication of financial aid from the Ministry or other government programs funded by the FECC.
• Ineligible entities include those listed in the Register of Ineligible Enterprises for Public Contracts (RENA) and those in default on obligations to the Quebec government.

Who is eligible?

• Enterprises with R&D and/or production activities in Quebec
• Universities, CCTTs (College Centres for Technology Transfer), or public research centres
• Cities and municipalities
• Non-profit organizations (NPOs)
• State enterprises and public organizations
• Additional partners can include enterprises outside Quebec, as second industrial partners

Who is not eligible

• Companies listed in the Register of Ineligible Enterprises for Public Contracts (RENA).
• Companies that have defaulted on their obligations to the Government of Quebec.

Eligible expenses

• Salaries, compensation, and employee benefits.
• Student scholarships.
• Materials, consumables, and supplies.
• Purchase or rental of equipment (up to a maximum of 25% of total eligible expenses).
• Intellectual property operational costs.
• Professional fees.
• Travel and accommodation expenses.
• Monetary compensation for project participation.
• Knowledge dissemination costs.
• Platform fees.
• Subcontracting contract fees.
• Project tracking and reporting fees (management fees).

Eligible geographic areas

• Companies operating within Quebec, Canada.

• Quality scientific evaluation: 50% of the total evaluation score.
• Potential for greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction evaluation: 50% of the total evaluation score.
• Scientific quality of the project: Evaluated within the scientific evaluation score.
• Quality of the research team: Evaluated within the scientific evaluation score.
• Degree of innovation: Evaluated within the scientific evaluation score.
• Capacity to complete the project: Evaluated within the scientific evaluation score.
• Benefits for industrial partner(s) involved in the project: Evaluated within the scientific evaluation score.
• Quality of public-private partnership: Evaluated within the scientific evaluation score.
• Scientific and technological benefits: Evaluated within the scientific evaluation score.
• Benefits for the training of highly qualified personnel (HQP): Evaluated within the scientific evaluation score.
• Social, economic or other benefits for Quebec: Evaluated within the scientific evaluation score.
• Ability of the solution to reduce GHG emissions in Quebec within the first ten years of the commercialization phase: Evaluated within the GHG reduction potential score.
• Quantity of GHG emissions that can be reduced or avoided, measured in tons of CO2 per year in Quebec: Evaluated within the GHG reduction potential score.
• Cost per ton of CO2 reduced or avoided in Quebec: Evaluated within the GHG reduction potential score.
• Quality of methodology used, referring to part 2 of ISO 14064-2 standards, to demonstrate GHG reduction potential: Evaluated within the GHG reduction potential score.
• Risks related to the deployment of the solution, assessed by techno-economic committees of each RSRI and utilized by the GHG committee: Evaluated within the GHG reduction potential score.
• Realism of the reference scenario used: Evaluated within the GHG reduction potential score.

• Projects must achieve a reduction of at least 50,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalent over the first ten years after commercialization.
• Applications require both a general collaborative research project form and a GHG reduction potential annex, to be obtained from the relevant RSRI.
• A free support service is offered to guide applicants in completing the GHG reduction potential section.
• The public mention of the government's financial support is mandatory for all communications regarding the funded project, following specific communication guidelines.