NovaScience Program — Support for junior employment
QC, Canada
NovaScience supports innovation job integration in Quebec businesses
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|maxCount
- grant_single|projectCostPercent
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|openingDateJanuary 03, 2025
- grant_single|closingDateMay 01, 2024
- grant_single|grantStatusClosed
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Information and cultural industries
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Health care and social assistance
grant_single|grantors
- Gouvernement du Québec
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|closed
grant_single_labels|preview
The NovaScience – Support for Employment (stream 2) program aims to integrate recent graduates into scientific and technological employment within SMEs to enhance skills in science and technology. The grant encourages the adoption of digital technologies, R&D, and innovation by supporting hiring in three key areas: research and innovation, life sciences, and digital transformation. Eligible projects must be innovative, conducted in Quebec, and focus on these specified domains.
grant_single_labels|terms_and_conditions
The NovaScience Program provides financial support to encourage employment in research and innovation within small and medium enterprises. It offers specific funding terms that help integrate recent graduates through structured employment initiatives.
- The funding is provided as a non-repayable grant, with a maximum amount of $30,000 per project over a twelve-month period.
- The maximum assistance rate is 50% of eligible expenses.
- For non-profit organizations (OBNL), the accumulated governmental aid must not exceed 80% of eligible expenses, while for-profit organizations (OBL) are capped at 50%.
grant_single_labels|projects
This grant aids projects designed to integrate recent graduates into employment sectors that emphasize digital technology usage, R&D, and innovation. The eligible activities help enhance skills in research and technology within SMEs in Quebec.
- Initiatives in research and innovation.
- Projects in the life sciences sector.
- Digital transformation projects within businesses.
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$ 30,000
Implement AI to optimize customer experience in a Quebec City-based retail startup by hiring a new data analyst.
$ 30,000
Hire a recent graduate to transform laboratory operations through digital solutions in a Montreal-based biotech firm.
grant_single_labels|admissibility
Eligibility for this grant is based on specific requirements related to the type of organization, location, and the nature of the projects to be undertaken.
- The organization must be a non-profit (OBNL) or for-profit (OBL) entity with fewer than 500 employees and located in Quebec.
- Collective enterprises (co-operatives) as per the Law on the social economy are also eligible.
- Projects from educational institutions, educational organizations, and affiliated technology transfer centers are not eligible.
- Applicants must not be listed in the Register of enterprises ineligible for public contracts (RENA).
- The organization must have fulfilled all obligations related to financial aid received from the Government of Quebec or Investissement Québec for at least two years prior.
- Organizations must not be a state-owned company or directly or indirectly controlled by a municipal, provincial, or federal government, a municipal entity, or a company majority-owned by a state-owned enterprise.
- The organization must not be bankrupt or insolvent.
- The organization must not engage in unethical conduct or offer products or services that could harm the integrity or challenge the probity of the Government of Quebec.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
Eligible organizations for this grant include nonprofit organizations (NPO) and for-profit organizations (FPO) with fewer than 500 employees and an establishment in Quebec. Additionally, cooperative enterprises under the Social Economy Act are eligible. However, educational institutions, school bodies, hospitals, and college technology transfer centers are not eligible.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
This grant excludes certain companies and industries due to their status or main activity. The restrictions aim to ensure that funds are directed toward strategic sectors aligned with the grant's objectives.
- Entities that are state-owned or controlled by government bodies.
- Companies that are bankrupt or insolvent.
- Businesses involved in unethical activities or those compromising the integrity of the Quebec government.
- Companies in the arms industry, fossil fuel production, gambling, or sectors related to sexual exploitation.
- Organizations violating the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms in their main activities.
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
The grant covers specific expenses directly related to the employment in research, innovation, or digital transformation projects.
- Salary of the job holder.
- Benefits associated with the salary.
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
The grant specifically mentions eligibility for companies with establishments based in Quebec. Therefore, the eligible geographical area is limited to this province to support localized economic development in science and technology fields.
- Companies with establishments in Quebec.
grant_single_labels|criteria
The evaluation and selection of projects for this grant are based on specific criteria to ensure alignment with the grant’s objectives.
- The respect of criteria associated with the type of project submitted.
- The clarity, relevance, and coherence of the tasks linked to the employment.
- The nature and diversity of tasks to be performed in relation to research and innovation, life sciences, or digital transformation.
- The suitability between the project, the job, and the profile of the individual candidate.
- Guarantees of the project's implementation.
grant_single_labels|register
Here are the steps to submit an application for this grant:
- Step 1: Review Guidelines
- Download the Guide for Application submission.
- Read thoroughly to understand the objectives and requirements.
- Step 2: Prepare Documentation
- Complete the application form using Adobe Reader.
- Gather all mandatory documents including agreement form and financial documents.
- Ensure any non-French documents have an accompanying unofficial translation.
- Step 3: Complete Application Form
- Fill out the application form accurately, ensuring all sections are completed.
- Sign the application form electronically or manually.
- Step 4: Submit Application
- Submit a digital copy of the completed and signed application form.
- Attach scanned versions of all required documents.
- Email the entire application package to demande.soutien.emploi@economie.gouv.qc.ca.
- Ensure submission by 11:59 PM on May 1st, 2024.
- Step 5: Confirmation of Receipt
- Receive an electronic acknowledgment from the funding body within two business days.
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
Here are additional relevant details for this grant:
- The maximum number of accepted projects per applicant is three per application submission date.
- Eligible candidates must not have previously benefited from the Support for Research and Innovation Employment measure.
- An evaluation comparing foreign diplomas to Quebec standards can be requested by candidates.
- Cumulative government aid for eligible costs can reach up to 100% for projects submitted by childcare centers.
- There is a follow-up service available for any questions regarding the application process and eligibility until five working days before the submission deadline.
- Failure to provide the protocol and necessary documents within five working days may result in the cancellation of the grant offer.
- A committee evaluates the applications, and decisions are communicated within 10 to 15 working days post-approval.
grant_single_labels|contact
NovaScienceProjet@economie.gouv.qc.ca
1 877 511-5889
Apply to this program
A Gateway to Innovating Employment in Research and Technology
The NovaScience – Support to Employment grant fosters the integration of recent graduates into technological and scientific roles within SMEs to amplify innovation. This comprehensive initiative aims to enhance employment opportunities, hone emerging talent, and infuse a culture of innovation within businesses across Quebec.
Unlocking the Potential of the NovaScience Employment Grant
The NovaScience – Support to Employment grant is a pivotal initiative administered by the Ministry of Economy, Innovation, and Energy in Quebec, intended to support the employment of recent graduates within the spheres of research, innovation, and digital transformation. This program is crucial in embedding a culture of innovation by nurturing young talent into scientific roles where they can harness and expand their technological skills. Targeted primarily at small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with fewer than 500 employees, this grant is geared towards elevating their capacity to innovate, stay competitive, and effectively integrate advanced digital solutions.
The overarching goal of the NovaScience program is to prepare Quebec's workforce for the demands of a knowledge-based economy, encouraging companies to adopt new technologies that can revolutionize their operational efficiencies. By supporting employment, the program ensures that recent graduates are not only exposed to the industry's best practices but also contribute significantly to pivotal areas such as research and development (R&D) and life sciences. These sectors are identified as critical to the economy's future trajectory, given their potential to spur groundbreaking innovations and drive economic growth.
This grant scheme particularly emphasizes projects that showcase significant innovation potential and demonstrate practical application in real-world scenarios. Projects that align with emerging trends, address gaps in current industry capacities, or explore novel applications of technology are favorably considered. The program incentivizes these projects by offering up to $30,000 per project, conditional upon matching 50% of eligible expenses, which paints a promising financial landscape for SMEs aiming to expand their technological prowess without stretching their existing budgets to unsustainable levels.
Furthermore, the program's stringent eligibility criteria ensure that only the most viable and impactful projects receive funding. These criteria include the incorporation of digital transformations aimed at boosting productivity and competitiveness, as well as research and innovation initiatives that promise substantive advancements in their respective fields. Ensuring that projects are executed within Quebec positions the province as a vibrant hub for innovation and technology, fostering a local ecosystem that thrives on collaboration and continuous improvement.
Beneficiaries of this grant are afforded more than just financial assistance; they gain a gateway into a network of intellectual resources, strategic partnerships, and opportunities for skill enhancement. Consequently, this not only elevates the recipient's business operations but also increases the employability of the workforce, enriching the sector with fresh perspectives and diversified skill sets essential for tackling modern challenges in innovation.
Additionally, the structure of the grant is strategically designed to align with Quebec's economic goals, contributing to the broader objectives of improving regional development and enhancing societal prosperity. By providing a robust framework that stresses ethical practices and environmental responsibility, the NovaScience grant helps guide SMEs towards sustainable growth trajectories.
This initiative thus stands as a testament to the government's commitment to cultivating a knowledge-driven economy and addressing the pressing needs of a rapidly evolving technological landscape. Enterprises that engage with this program are poised to redefine their business strategies by leveraging innovative talents and setting benchmarks in their respective fields. In doing so, they not only fulfill immediate workforce requirements but also anchor long-term growth and resilience in the face of global industry shifts.
Ultimately, the NovaScience – Support to Employment grant is a comprehensive tool that enables enterprises to harness the transformative power of young professionals, ensuring Quebec remains at the forefront of scientific and technological innovation.
