MTRIC — SI2TEC – Feasibility Studies

• The program offers a non-repayable grant of 50% of eligible project expenditures.
• The maximum grant amount provided by CRITM is $75,000 per feasibility study.
• Eligible expenditures must be necessary, justifiable, and directly attributable to the eligible project.
• Expenditures must be incurred after the date of submission of the participation request.
• The private sector must contribute a minimum of 30% of the total project cost in cash.
• The maximum cumulative public funding for each study is 70% in cash.
• Eligible costs include professional fees, salaries, and benefits directly related to project execution, as well as direct material and equipment costs.
• Rental fees for equipment necessary for the project are included as eligible expenses.
• Costs for using digital tools directly relating to project requirements are allowed.
• Travel and accommodation expenses linked to project execution are eligible.
• Administrative follow-up costs are eligible but must not exceed 5% of the total eligible expenses.

• Applicants must be regular members of the CRITM during the project duration.
• Eligible entities include private for-profit enterprises with an establishment in Quebec.
• Cooperatives with activities similar to an enterprise are eligible.
• Mixed enterprises in the municipal sector are eligible.
• Non-profit organizations (excluding academic types) in Quebec conducting production, R&D, or commercialization activities are eligible, including sector associations, private enterprise associations, and cooperative groups.
• Applicants may partner with public research institutes in Quebec, specialized service firms, municipalities, cities, municipalities regional county (MRC), and non-profit organizations under the Cities and Towns Act.
• Applicants must provide a certificate of francization or proof of undertaking with the Office québécois de la langue française (OQLF) and maintain a French-language website (except for international partners).
• The study must be conducted in Quebec, supporting the development of various enterprises in the metal transformation or critical and strategic minerals sector in Quebec.
• Projects must foster alliances, partnerships, and networks across an industry sector, activity sector, territory, or value chain.
• Projects must promote the development of the circular economy.
• Applications must not include entities such as state-owned enterprises, those registered in the Register of companies not eligible for public contracts (RENA), and tertiary sector companies focused on service provision rather than goods manufacturing.

Who is eligible?

• Private for-profit companies with a location in Quebec, including cooperatives with similar activities to a business.
• Mixed companies in the municipal sector.
• Non-profit organizations (NPO) with a location in Quebec specializing in production, research and development, or commercialization activities, including cooperatives with similar activities such as sectoral associations, private business associations, and cooperative groupings.

Who is not eligible

• State-owned enterprises or companies directly or indirectly controlled by a provincial or federal government.
• Companies owned majority by a state-owned enterprise.
• Community Futures Development Corporations (Sociétés d'aide au développement des collectivités - SADC).
• Companies listed on the Register of enterprises ineligible for public contracts (RENA).
• Enterprises in the tertiary sector whose primary activity is the provision of services rather than goods manufacturing or trading.
• Applicants who have failed to fulfill obligations related to previous financial assistance from the Ministry of Economy and Innovation (MEIE) within two years prior to the application.
• Companies under the protection of the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act or the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act.

Eligible expenses

• Professional fees.
• Salaries and benefits of employees dedicated to the project, corresponding to the actual time spent on the project.
• Direct costs associated with the use of materials and equipment, calculated based on the project duration.
• Equipment rental fees relevant to the project, calculated according to the project's duration.
• Costs related to the use of software tools, calculated based on project use.
• Travel and accommodation expenses related to project execution.
• Administrative tracking costs, capped at 5% of the project's eligible expenses.

Eligible geographic areas

• Companies with an establishment in Quebec.

• The pertinence of the project regarding circular economy (statement of the issue and implementation of solutions) and innovation (eliminatory criteria).
• Expected environmental gains in Quebec and, if possible, with an impact outside Quebec, compared to the current situation across the entire product or service life cycle.
• The level of contribution of the project to strengthening a circular economy.
• The quality of the work plan and the expected deliverables.
• The quality of the partnership and collaboration across an industry, a sector of activity, a territory, or a value chain.

• Applications can be submitted at any time, but must be received by the final deadline of April 3, 2025.
• CRITM has a specific budget allocated for the SI2TEC program, which limits the number of projects that can be funded.
• An intellectual property agreement must be signed between all partners within three months of official confirmation, which is a prerequisite for any financial disbursement by CRITM.
• The program offers a non-repayable grant covering 50% of eligible project expenses, with a maximum limit of $75,000 per study.
• The CRITM mandates a minimum private contribution of 30% of the total project costs and limits the cumulative public funding to a maximum of 70%.
• The directives and policies of CRITM may vary, potentially superseding some of the norms stated in the program guidelines.