How much funding can be received?

The Alimentation Santé 2023-2025 program's Volet 3 supports projects that aim to develop or enhance nutritious food products and can fund up to 70% of eligible expenses, with a maximum of $300,000 per applicant per financial year. Eligible activities include coordination of industry stakeholders, conducting training and information sessions, valorizing successes in creating nutritious food, and undertaking studies or clinical trials to verify the nutritional benefits of food ingredients.

grant_single_labels|terms_and_conditions

This grant offers comprehensive financial support designed to stimulate the development of nutritious food products. The program provides a blend of public and private financing options to ensure sustainable project outcomes.

Financial assistance can cover up to 70% of eligible expenses, with a cap of $300,000 per applicant per fiscal year.
The minimum eligible expenditure for a project is $40,000.
An applicant can receive up to a total of $900,000 over the life span of the program across all its components.
Private funding must constitute at least 20% of eligible expenses.
The cumulative total of public financing, which includes all forms of governmental financial support, cannot exceed 75% of the eligible expenses.
Governmental grants, loans, and loan guarantees count towards 100% in the assessment of total public support.

grant_single_labels|projects

The eligible projects for this grant are geared towards promoting the development or improvement of food products with enhanced nutritional quality. They include activities that encourage collaboration among stakeholders, provide education, and leverage scientific research to support the health attributes of food products.

Encouraging collaboration and coordination among stakeholders to better meet the needs of food processing businesses in developing high nutritional quality foods.
Conducting training and information activities to provide the agri-food sector with knowledge about food health to encourage changes aligned with the program's nutritional criteria.
Engaging in activities that highlight successes in creating or modifying foods with enhanced nutritional quality, or showcasing exemplary practices in food processing businesses.
Carrying out studies, gathering information, or developing tools to inform businesses about developing high nutritional quality foods.
Undertaking clinical studies aimed at providing scientific evidence on an ingredient's nutritional characteristics demonstrating its beneficial health effects.

grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample

$ 18,750

Implementing an organic certification system for a local organic farm business

$ 30,000

Implementing a preventive control plan for a seafood processing plant

$ 37,500

Updating food safety system in a meat processing plant to comply with new government regulations

$ 40,000

Implementation of a Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) system for a dairy processing facility

$ 45,000

Implementation of GFSI-recognized quality system in a beverage production facility

$ 22,500

Updating a food safety management system in a bakery to meet new GFSI standards

grant_single_labels|admissibility

Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific requirements related to the applicant's registration, location, and type.

The enterprise or organization must be registered in the Quebec Business Register.
The enterprise or organization must be located in Quebec or have at least one establishment or branch situated in Quebec.
The applicant must belong to one of the following categories: food processing business groups, research or technology transfer establishments, non-profit organizations specializing in food processing, dissemination centers, consulting service companies, or cooperatives.
Enterprises listed in the Register of enterprises ineligible for public contracts (RENA) are not eligible.

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply

This grant is aimed at promoting and stimulating engagement in the development or improvement of nutritious food products with enhanced or health-related nutritional value. Various entities can apply if they meet the specified conditions.

Food processing business clusters.
Research or technology transfer institutions.
Non-profit organizations specializing in food processing.
Distribution centers.
Consulting service companies.
Cooperatives.

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply

This grant excludes certain companies and sectors based on their activities and registration status. These exclusions are in place to align with the program's health-focused objectives.

Companies registered on the Register of enterprises ineligible for public contracts (RENA).
Businesses involved in the production of animal food.
Producers of nutraceuticals and natural health products.
Manufacturers of products with a Drug Identification Number (DIN).
Companies producing alcohol or cannabis-containing products.
Manufacturers of meal replacements and energy drinks.
Restaurant activities that are not considered as food processing activities.

grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses

The grant covers specific expenses directly related to the implementation and success of the project.

Fees and travel expenses for external consultants authorized by the minister.
Salaries for internal workforce directly dedicated to the project's execution, with financial assistance calculated at 40% of this eligible expense up to $60,000.
Travel expenses for the applicant according to the government's predefined guidelines for public agency contractors.
Expenses related to the validation, publication, and dissemination of studies or tools.
Costs intended for conducting studies or gathering information.
Expenses related to activities promoting the adoption of responsible business practices.
Promotion, venue rental, and logistics costs for event hosting.
Administrative costs not exceeding 15% of the total eligible expenses.

grant_eligibility_criteria|zone

This grant is available to companies that meet the geographical requirements specified by the program. Eligible companies must have a presence within Quebec.

Companies registered in the Quebec Enterprise Register.
Organizations located in Quebec or those with at least one establishment or branch in Quebec.

grant_single_labels|criteria

The projects are evaluated and prioritized based on several key factors to determine their alignment with the objectives of the program.

The ability to mobilize stakeholders and actors within the biofood sector.
The relevance of the project concerning the objectives of the program and the specific stream.
The visibility and reach of the project's results dissemination among the food processing industry.
The involvement of the food processing industry.
The feasibility, realism, and viability of the project.
The technical, organizational, administrative, and financial capacities to carry out the project.

grant_single_labels|register

Here are the steps to submit an application for this grant:

Step 1: Prepare Required Documents
Complete and sign the financial aid application form.
Fill the template for supplemental information.
Gather CV and proof of expertise for both the external consultant and internal specialist.
Collect the service offer of the external consultant and the payslip of the internal specialist.
Prepare verified, reviewed, or compiled financial statements by an external CPA representing a full year of operations or a detailed business plan for businesses or organizations operating for less than a complete year.
Assemble all official supporting documents that confirm eligible expenses.
Step 2: Submit Application
Send all required documents via email to transfo@mapaq.gouv.qc.ca.
Step 3: Confirmation and Follow-up
Receive an email confirmation of the receipt of your complete application.
If eligible, expenses will be considered starting from the date of your application submission.

grant_single_labels|otherInfo

Here are additional relevant details for this grant:

The grant covers up to 70% of eligible expenses, with a maximum of $300,000 per applicant per financial year.
A minimum of $40,000 in eligible expenses is required for a project to qualify for funding.
The total funding an applicant can receive is capped at $900,000 for the entire duration of the program across all streams.
Private financing must constitute at least 20% of eligible expenses.
The cumulative public aid cannot exceed 75% of the eligible expenses.
A structured appeal process is available, allowing applicants to contest decisions within 30 days of notification.
Applicants who have been previously found non-compliant with financial assistance conditions may face ineligibility.
All applicants have the option to receive guidance from MAPAQ before applying, although this does not guarantee acceptance.

grant_single_labels|documents

MAPAQ — Food Processing Program — Component 3

grant_single_labels|contact

transfo@mapaq.gouv.qc.ca

418 380-2110

Apply to this program

Nutritional Innovation Funding in Quebec

The "Programme Alimentation Santé 2023-2025" offers significant financial support for projects aiming at developing or improving health-oriented food products in Quebec. This initiative is geared towards fostering partnerships and knowledge dissemination within the biofood sector, aligning with strategic health and nutritional objectives.

Detailed Insights Into the Health Nutrition Program 2023-2025

The "Programme Alimentation Santé 2023-2025," under its Projet Structurants stream, is an essential funding initiative aimed at stimulating innovation and development in the biofood sector within Quebec. Managed by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food of Quebec (MAPAQ), this program supports entities involved in food processing to enhance the nutritional value of food products or develop innovative health-oriented foods. The program underscores the importance of creating food products with improved nutritional profiles, such as reduced sodium, sugar, and saturated fats, or those enriched with bioactive compounds like omega-3 fatty acids or probiotics, which have recognized health benefits.

Eligible applicants include food processing business groups, research and technology transfer institutes, non-profit organizations specializing in food processing, dissemination centers, consulting firms, and cooperatives, all of which must be registered with the Quebec Enterprise Register and possess a significant presence in Quebec. However, entities listed on the Register of Enterprises Ineligible for Public Contracts (RENA) are excluded from participation. The program specifically excludes certain products such as animal food, nutraceuticals, natural health products, and any food with a Drug Identification Number (DIN), as well as alcoholic and cannabis products. Restaurants and food service activities are also outside the program's scope.

Projects must seek to achieve objectives such as enhancing collaboration and coordination across the sector to cater to the development needs of nutritious foods, facilitating knowledge transfer through training and information dissemination, promoting the achievements in creating or modifying foods to improve their nutritional quality, and conducting studies to provide scientific evidence on health benefits. Financially, the program covers up to 70% of eligible expenses, with a maximum of $300,000 per applicant per fiscal year and an overall cap of $900,000 over the program's lifespan. A minimum project expenditure threshold is set at $40,000.

The financial structure requires at least 20% contribution from private funding, ensuring that cumulative public assistance does not exceed 75% of the eligible expenses. Eligible costs encompass consultant fees, internal labor costs specifically dedicated to the project, participant travel expenses in compliance with government directives, validation and dissemination costs of studies and tools, and administration fees up to 15% of total eligible expenses. Ineligible costs include those associated with acquiring motorized rolling stock, general operating expenses, and any part of the refundable Canadian Goods and Services Tax (GST) or Quebec Sales Tax (QST).

Prospects for funding submission entail a formal application process with mandatory documents including a detailed financial aid application form, resumes, proof of expertise, a service offer from external consultants, internal specialist payroll slips, financial statements audited by a CPA, and any supporting documentation justifying eligible expenses. Assessment involves rigorous financial and project analysis to ensure alignment with program goals, project feasibility, and applicant capability. Successful proposals receive a letter confirming eligibility and financial terms, with payment contingent on meeting outlined conditions and submission of required documentation.

With the aim of fostering robust health-oriented innovation in the biofood sector, the "Programme Alimentation Santé 2023-2025" serves as a critical resource for enhancing the nutritional quality and health benefits of food products manufactured within Quebec.