I.Q.C.4.0 — Section 1
QC, Canada
Support Quebec industries in their adoption of digital and intelligent technologies to increase their productivity, competitiveness and resilience.
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Grant and Funding
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- Construction
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- Ministère de l'économie, de l'innovation et de l'énergie du Québec (MEIE)
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To obtain this action plan, companies and contracting authorities will take part in a personalized digital diagnostic process in which their level of digital maturity will be assessed, and their specific challenges and needs identified. The action plan will present the essential elements of a successful digital transition, and key performance indicators for follow-up.
Phase III of the Quebec Initiative for Construction 4.0 (IQC4.0), authorized in decree number 365-2021 of March 24, 2021 by the Ministère de l'Économie et de l'Innovation (MEI), aims to support the Quebec construction industry in the digital shift, particularly in the deployment of Building Data Modeling (BDM or more commonly BIM) on a large scale. This phase is a continuation of the IQC4.0 program, which began in March 2018. To date, more than 250 companies have been diagnosed. It is also part of the Construction Action Plan (CAP) announced on March 21, 2021, as well as the Offensive en Transformation Numérique (OTN) announced on March 29, 2021.
Quebec Ministry of the Economy and Innovation is investing $13.7 million in this new phase of the Quebec-wide initiative. The project is led by two organizations accustomed to supporting the digitization of businesses, the Groupe BIM du Québec and the Institut de gouvernance numérique, in partnership with professional associations in the construction industry.
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- Eligible projects:
- Adoption of 4.0 technologies, such as artificial intelligence, robotics, the Internet of Things, etc.
- Improvement of business processes
- Development of new products or services
- Increased productivity and competitiveness
Examples of eligible projects:
- Implementation of a computer-aided production management system (CAPM)
- Acquisition of robots to automate repetitive tasks
- Development of a mobile application for inventory management
- Implementation of an e-commerce platform
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1. Be a company in the manufacturing or business services sector.
- Manufacturing: This includes companies that transform raw materials into finished products.
- Business services: This includes companies that provide services to other companies, such as IT, marketing or accounting services.
2. Have a head office in Quebec.
- The company must be registered in Quebec and have its principal place of business there.
3. Have a project to implement digital and intelligent technologies.
- The project must be aimed at adopting 4.0 technologies, such as artificial intelligence, robotics, the Internet of Things, etc.
- The project must have a significant impact on the company's productivity, competitiveness or resilience.
4. Submit a grant application before March 31, 2028.
- The deadline for applications is March 31, 2028.
- It is important to apply as early as possible, as grants are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.
In addition, the project must meet the following criteria:
- Be realistic and feasible.
- Respect the laws and regulations in force in Quebec.
- Not have already received a grant from the Quebec government for the same project.
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To be eligible for the IQC 4.0 grant, a company must meet the following criteria:
- Be a manufacturing or business services company.
- Have a head office in Quebec.
- Have a project to implement digital and intelligent technologies.
- Submit a grant application before March 31, 2028.
In addition, the project must meet the following criteria:
- Aim for the adoption of digital and intelligent technologies.
- Have a significant impact on the company's productivity, competitiveness or resilience.
- Be realistic and achievable.
Voici quelques exemples d'entreprises qui pourraient être éligibles à la subvention IQC 4.0 :
- Une entreprise manufacturière qui souhaite automatiser une partie de sa production.
- Une entreprise de services aux entreprises qui souhaite développer une nouvelle application mobile.
- Un commerce de détail qui souhaite mettre en place un système de paiement en ligne.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
The following companies are not eligible for the IQC 4.0 grant:
- Companies that are not located in Quebec.
- Companies that do not have their head office in Quebec.
- Companies that are not part of the manufacturing or business services sector.
- Companies that have already received an IQC 4.0 grant for the same project.
- Companies in bankruptcy or insolvency.
- Companies that are related to a member of Investissement Québec's staff.
In addition, the following projects are not eligible for the IQC 4.0 grant:
- Projects that do not involve the adoption of digital and intelligent technologies.
- Projects that do not have a significant impact on a company's productivity, competitiveness or resilience.
- Projects that are not realistic or feasible.
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
- Eligible expenses (approximate percentage):
- Acquisition of software and hardware (40%)
- Implementation of cloud solutions (20%)
- Staff training (15%)
- Hiring consultants (10%)
- Studies and diagnostics (5%)
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All Québec
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1. Read the IQC 4.0 program guide.
- The program guide contains all the information you need to understand the program and eligibility criteria.
- You can download the program guide from the Investissement Québec website.
2. Determine if your company is eligible.
- Make sure your company meets all the eligibility criteria.
- You can use the online self-assessment tool to determine if your company is eligible.
3. Prepare a grant application.
- The grant application must be completed online and include all required documents.
- You can find grant application forms and instructions on the Investissement Québec website.
4. Submit your grant application.
- The deadline for applications is March 31, 2028.
- It is important to submit your application as soon as possible, as grants are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.
5. Follow the evaluation process.
- Your grant application will be evaluated by Investissement Québec.
- You will be informed of Investissement Québec's decision in writing.
6. Receive the grant.
- If your grant application is approved, you will receive the grant in several installments.
- The first payment will be made after the grant contract has been signed.
- Subsequent payments will be made according to the progress of your project.
Apply to this program
Initiative Québécoise pour la Construction 4.0: Supporting Quebec's Construction Industry in the Digital Transition
The Initiative Québécoise pour la Construction 4.0 (IQC4.0) is a transformative program aimed at enhancing the digital maturity of Quebec's construction industry. Backed by the Quebec government, it provides tailored action plans and significant financial support to help companies integrate advanced digital technologies like Building Information Modeling (BIM).
Detailed Overview of the Initiative Québécoise pour la Construction 4.0
The Initiative Québécoise pour la Construction 4.0 (IQC4.0) is an ambitious program designed to accelerate the digital transformation of Quebec’s construction industry. Authorized by decree number 365-2021 on March 24, 2021, and supported by the Ministry of Economy and Innovation (MEI), the IQC4.0 seeks to equip participating companies with customized action plans that will help them either start or continue their digital transition. This initiative, originally launched in March 2018, is now in its third phase, with more than 250 companies having already participated in the digital diagnostics phase.
The Quebec government has allocated 13.7 million CAD to this new phase, aiming to make a significant impact across the province. The IQC4.0 project is managed by two experienced organizations: the Group BIM of Quebec and the Institut de Gouvernance Numérique. These organizations work in partnership with professional associations in the construction domain to provide the necessary support and resources.
Program Phases and Structure
IQC4.0 involves a structured five-phase approach to ensure a comprehensive and tailored transition for each participating company:
1. Selection of Companies and Donneur d’ouvrage
- Call for Applications: An open call invites companies to apply for participation.
- Review and Decision: Applications are reviewed, and decisions are made based on established criteria.
2. Initial Contact
- Fiche d'entreprise: A detailed company profile is created to understand the business better.
3. Diagnostic Phase
- Current State Analysis: Experts evaluate the company’s current digital maturity.
- Desired State Definition: The company’s digital aspirations and goals are outlined.
4. Planning
- Deployment Plan Presentation: A comprehensive digital transition plan is presented to the company.
5. Feedback and Follow-up
- Implementation Monitoring: Mechanisms are established to monitor progress and offer feedback.
Benefits of the IQC4.0 Initiative
The goal of IQC4.0 is to drive the entire construction industry in Quebec towards higher productivity, efficiency, and sustainability through digital transformation. Some key benefits include:
- Increased Productivity: By adopting digital tools, companies can streamline their processes, resulting in significant productivity gains both on and off-site.
- Optimized Business Processes: Enhanced digital maturity allows for the optimization of various business processes, improving overall operational efficiency.
- Collaboration Enhancement: Digital tools facilitate better collaboration between business partners, which is essential for successful completion of construction projects.
- Reduced Administrative Burden: Automation and digital solutions can considerably reduce administrative tasks, allowing companies to focus on more strategic activities.
- Adaptability to Remote Work: The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the importance of remote work. Digital transformation enables seamless organization, execution, and real-time sharing of data, fostering effective remote collaboration.
- Better Decision-Making: Centralized and interconnected data systems facilitate quicker and more informed decision-making, ultimately generating more value.
- Cost Efficiency: Digital tools can optimize resource utilization, reducing the need for physical resources and lowering overall costs.
Participation Criteria and Commitment
The IQC4.0 initiative invites companies and donneur d'ouvrage to participate based on several criteria. To ensure a diverse representation across various disciplines and regional areas, participants must:
- Be based in Quebec.
- Operate in the construction sector or environment-built sector.
Participation is free; however, companies need to invest between 20 to 40 hours over three months. A serious commitment is required from company leaders, as they will participate in scheduled meetings and complete specified tasks to progress through their digital transformation. Experts will support each step to ensure a tailored and effective transition process.
Support Provided in Subsequent Phases
Once companies receive their digital action plan (Phase 1 and 2), they can access further support through training and accompaniment programs. Key features include:
- Up to 50% Reimbursement: Companies can get up to 50% reimbursement of their training and accompaniment costs, including software purchases, updates, and relevant equipment costs.
- Training and Support: Essential for workers to integrate new technologies effectively.
The program's structure for training and accompaniment includes:
- Selection of Companies: Call for applications, dossier review, and decision.
- Initial Contact: Creation of a company profile.
- Plan Revision: Updates to the deployment plan as needed.
- Activity Initiation: Implementation of planned activities, including employee training and technology integration.
- Monitoring and Feedback: Continuous tracking of progress and providing necessary feedback.
Specific Program for Locomotives Numériques
The "Locomotives Numériques" component focuses on supporting improvement projects for Quebec suppliers through structured digitization and automation processes. It includes the adoption of digital technologies and workforce training on these new tools.
Companies identified as "locomotives" will:
- Have a shared improvement project with their suppliers.
- Have completed the IQC4.0 diagnostic.
- Not have previously participated in a locomotive numérique.
- Be based in Quebec.
- Operate in the construction or built environment sector or be a client in these areas.
Engagement includes up to 50% reimbursement of project costs and a commitment to active participation and project management. Companies are guided through:
- Selection: Application call, dossier review, and decision.
- Initial Contact: Establishing company and supplier profiles.
- Plan and Budget Review: Evaluation and approval of the submitted project and budget.
- Activity Initiation: Formation of teams and commencement of activities.
- Coordination and Feedback: Ongoing project tracking and feedback.
Conclusion
The Initiative Québécoise pour la Construction 4.0 is a groundbreaking program aimed at propelling Quebec’s construction industry into the digital age. By offering tailored action plans, significant financial support, and ongoing accompaniment, the IQC4.0 enables companies to harness the power of digital transformation effectively. This makes the construction industry more productive, collaborative, and adaptable to changing realities, ultimately laying the groundwork for sustained growth and innovation.