Mining Research and Innovation Support Program
grant_single|update April 5, 2025
QC, Canada
Supports mining R&D and innovation in Quebec industry
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|maxCount
- grant_single|projectCostPercent
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|grantStatusClosed
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
grant_single|grantors
- Ministère des Ressources naturelles et des Forêts (MRNF)
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|closed
grant_single_labels|preview
The Mining Research and Innovation Support Program in Quebec provides partial funding of up to 40% of eligible expenses, with a maximum grant of $600,000, to support research and development projects that enhance the competitiveness of the mining industry through innovation, addressing at least two dimensions of sustainable development. Eligible activities include developing or improving processes, technologies, or models in collaboration with a research partner.
grant_single_labels|terms_and_conditions
- The program covers up to 40% of eligible project expenses, with a maximum grant amount of $600,000.
- Beneficiaries can participate multiple times, provided each application is for a distinct project.
- For projects with a duration equal to 12 months, financial aid is disbursed in a single payment post-project completion and approval of the final report by the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources (MERN).
- For projects lasting between 12 and 24 months, the aid is disbursed in two payments—an initial payment at 12 months upon approval of an interim report, and a final payment upon project completion and approval of the final report.
- For projects exceeding 24 months, three installments are paid—a first installment at 12 months upon interim report approval, a second at 24 months, and a final payment after the project's completion and approval of the final report.
- The total government assistance must not exceed 70% of eligible project costs. Overriding this limit results in a reduction of MERN's contribution to adhere to the cap.
- The financial assistance from the MERN can be combined with other governmental (provincial, federal, municipal) financial aids, but cumulative support must not surpass 70% of the project's eligible expenses.
grant_single_labels|projects
- Research and development (R&D) projects in the mining sector.
- Innovation projects in the mining industry.
- Projects aiming to improve the competitiveness of the Quebec mining industry.
- Projects targeting at least one sector of the Quebec mining industry and addressing at least two dimensions of sustainable development.
- Projects associated with universities, research centers, research consortia, or public or private research organizations.
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$ 25,000
Launch an eco-friendly packaging initiative for local businesses
grant_single_labels|admissibility
- The applicant must be a for-profit company registered with the Quebec business registrar and have a physical establishment in Quebec.
- The company must operate within the mining industry or provide goods and services to this sector.
- Mining exploration companies are not required to have employees in Quebec but must hold mining titles in the province.
- Mining operations companies and those offering goods and services to the mining sector must have employees in Quebec.
- The applicant must not be listed on the register of non-eligible businesses.
- The applicant must not be under the protection of bankruptcy or insolvency laws.
- The applicant must not have failed to meet obligations associated with previous financial assistance from the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources in the past two years.
- The applicant must meet integrity standards expected of recipients of public financial assistance.
- Eligible projects must relate to R&D or innovation in the mining sector and benefit the applicant's operations.
- Projects must contribute to enhancing the competitiveness of Quebec's mining industry and involve at least two dimensions of sustainable development (economic, environmental, and social).
- Projects must associate with a university, research centre, consortium, or public/private research organization.
- Projects must have a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) between 3 and 8, aiming to progress to a higher level.
- Projects must have a duration of at least one year and not exceed three years, with the possibility of a six-month extension for exceptional circumstances.
- Applications must be submitted by October 31, 2024.
- Applications must be completed in French and include detailed project activities, budget, schedule, objectives, expected outcomes, and a R&D contract proposal with a research organization.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
- Companies in the mining industry in Quebec
- Companies providing goods and services to the mining industry in Quebec
- Mining exploration companies holding Quebec mining titles
- Mining exploitation companies with employees in Quebec
- Companies supplying goods and services to the mining sector, with employees in Quebec
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
- Companies listed in the register of ineligible enterprises.
- Applicants under the protection of the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act or the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act.
- Applicants who have failed to respect obligations related to previous financial aid from the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources and have been duly notified.
- Applicants who do not meet the high standards of integrity expected from recipients of public funds.
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
- Amounts directly allocated to the project included in a contract with a university, research center, research consortium, or public/private research organization, specifically: fees, materials, equipment (including mobilization, demobilization, and installation), supplies, analyses, travel, dissemination costs, and indirect research costs.
- Amounts directly allocated to the project included in a contract with a consultant or contractor, specifically: fees, materials, equipment (including mobilization, demobilization, and installation), supplies, and travel.
- Acquisition or rental of equipment, materials, or software essential for the project's duration. Costs are calculated based on the project's duration relative to the asset's useful life.
- Amounts for the required financial report referenced in section 6.1.
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
- Province of Quebec
grant_single_labels|criteria
- Quality of the project (50%):
- Clarity of the project.
- Relevance of the contracts presented in relation to project objectives.
- Innovative nature and technical and technological challenges.
- Relevance of project indicators and decision milestones.
- Consistency of budget and timeline.
- Potential impacts based on at least two of the three dimensions of sustainable development (30%):
- Economic dimension - Demonstrate potential impacts on cost reduction, energy savings, market development for Quebec's mineral resources, or new techniques/technologies developed in Quebec.
- Environmental dimension - Demonstrate potential impacts on greenhouse gas reduction, climate change adaptation, environmental footprint reduction, waste reduction, environmental protection, or valorization of mining residues.
- Social dimension - Demonstrate potential impacts on worker safety improvement or social acceptability increase.
- Quality of project management (20%):
- Experience of the project manager (at least 5 years of experience in managing a similar mining or research project).
- Existence of a collaboration mechanism between the project manager, the research team, and the applicant.
- Relevant qualifications and experience of the researchers and the project team (the principal researcher must have at least 5 years of experience in executing a similar research project).
- The minimum passing score for each project is set at 75%.
grant_single_labels|apply
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grant_single_labels|otherInfo
- The funding provided under the program can be combined with other governmental financial aid, however, the total government contribution cannot exceed 70% of the project’s eligible expenses.
- The maximum grant amount is 40% of eligible expenses or $600,000, whichever is lower.
- Projects are required to partner with an academic institution, research center, research consortium, or public/private research organization.
- Beneficiaries must submit a progress report in French midway and a final report after project completion to the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources (MERN).
- In the case of project durations exceeding 12 months, financial aid is disbursed in multiple installments based on project progress and completion of reports.
- Changes in project financial details that affect compliance with funding rules must be reported to MERN.
- The performance of the program is assessed using specific indicators relating to the project's impact on sustainable development dimensions.
- The MERN reserves the right to audit and review any project to ensure compliance with the program's guidelines and objectives.
- The program requires adherence to professional service fee benchmarks set by the Law on the contracts of public bodies.
- Beneficiaries employing more than 100 people and requesting over $100,000 must implement an equal access program.
Apply to this program
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