NovaScience Program - Support for employment in research and innovation
QC, Canada
The NovaScience – Employment Support program accelerates technological integration in SMEs by backing recent graduates in research, life sciences, and digital transformation roles.
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|maxCount
- grant_single|projectCostPercent
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- grant_single|timelineUnspecified
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
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grant_card_status|closed
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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|projects
The grant is specifically for organizations with an establishment in Quebec. This focus ensures that the funded projects contribute to the local economic and innovation landscape.
- Businesses and organizations located in the province of Quebec.
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 applicants for this program are small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with less than 500 employees, located in Québec. Both non-profit (NPO) and for-profit organizations are eligible, as well as cooperative enterprises compliant with the social economy law. Educational institutions, school organizations, hospitals, or technology transfer centers associated with these entities are not eligible. Further requirements include not using subcontractors listed on the RENA, having met all past financial aid obligations to the Québec government or Investissement Québec for at least two years, not being a government or municipal entity, not being insolvent or bankrupt, avoiding any unethical conducts or offering harmful products or services to the integrity of the Québec government, including sectors like weapons production, fossil energy without a transition plan, gambling, violent entertainment, exploitative services, and substances unless related to industrial cannabis or hemp per specified regulations, or activities primarily focused on protected rights by the Canadian Charter.
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
Eligible projects for this grant are those that contribute to scientific and technological advancement and digital transformation within businesses in Quebec. These projects aim to integrate new graduates into relevant roles to support organizational innovation and development.
- Research and innovation initiatives.
- Projects in the life sciences sector.
- Digital transformation activities for business operations.
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
Eligible expenses for this grant include only the following:
- The salary of the position holder, including social benefits.
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 Application Guide
- Download and review the Guide of Presentation of Applications to understand the requirements and conditions.
- Step 2: Complete Application Form
- Download and save the application form on your computer.
- Fill out the application form using Adobe Reader, ensuring all fields are completed accurately.
- Step 3: Prepare Supporting Documents
- Gather and prepare all required supporting documents as outlined in the application guide.
- Step 4: Submit Application Materials
- Email a completed electronic version and a scanned signed version of the form along with all required documents in a single submission.
- Send the submission to demande.soutien.emploi@economie.gouv.qc.ca before the deadline of May 1, 2024, at 23:59.
- Step 5: Verify Submission
- Ensure a confirmation of receipt is received after submission.
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
The grant supports the integration of new graduates into small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to develop skills in science and technology.
It aims to increase access to a highly qualified workforce and promote a culture of innovation among organizations.
- The grant is not available for educational institutions, school organizations, hospitals, or affiliated technology transfer centers.
- Eligible projects include research, innovation, and digital transformation activities in Quebec.
- The grant covers the salary of the job holder, including social benefits.
- Applications must be submitted by May 1, 2024, at 11:59 PM.
- The maximum financial aid is $30,000 per project for twelve months, with a maximum aid rate of 50% of eligible expenses.
grant_single_labels|contact
NovaScienceProjet@economie.gouv.qc.ca
1 877 511-5889
Apply to this program
Boosting Employment in Research and Innovation Through Grant Support
The NovaScience grant facilitates employment opportunities for recent graduates in Quebec's SMEs, focusing on the sectors of research, life sciences, and digital transformation. This program is a strategic initiative aimed at integrating new talent into the workforce while enhancing innovation and technological advancement.
In-Depth Examination of the NovaScience Grant and Its Strategic Importance
The NovaScience – Support for Employment program underlines the Government of Quebec's commitment to fostering a culture of innovation within the province. By concentrating on integrating emerging talent into Quebec's small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), this initiative seeks to bolster the local economy through strategic investments in research, innovation, life sciences, and digital transformation sectors. This grant is crucial in bridging the gap between educational attainments and practical experience, ensuring that recent graduates can apply their knowledge in real-world settings.
The grant provides non-repayable financial assistance, capped at $30,000 per project over a twelve-month period, thereby supporting the hiring and retention of highly skilled talent. This investment aims to increase workforce capabilities by introducing novel scientific and technological practices to businesses and nonprofit entities with fewer than 500 employees. For small and medium-sized enterprises, such financial backing significantly eases the cost burden associated with onboarding new employees, allowing these organizations to allocate their resources more effectively towards innovative project development.
Beyond just financial support, the NovaScience grant offers strategic leverage for companies looking to innovate within the Quebec economic landscape. By integrating skilled graduates—who often bring fresh perspectives and updated knowledge on technological advancements—SMEs can not only boost their innovation output but also improve their competitive standing both locally and globally.
Projects eligible for this grant must embody a spirit of novelty and innovation, with a clear developmental trajectory that aligns with Quebec's broader economic objectives. The guidelines stipulate that these projects should be centered in the fields of research and innovation, life sciences, or digital transformation. Selected initiatives are expected to demonstrate their innovative approach, either by introducing new methodologies or targeting emergent themes that resonate with a new clientele base. Thus, the program not only advocates for technological progression but also for strategic enterprise evolution.
Significantly, the program is structured to ensure compliance with ethical standards and governmental priorities, steering clear of affiliations that may compromise the integrity of Quebec’s economic agenda. Projects and the entities behind them must adhere strictly to ethical conduct and operational transparency, emphasizing sustainable practices that align with the transition towards a low-carbon economy.
By requiring projects to be realized within Quebec and by focusing on employment that dedicates at least 80% of work time to research, innovation, or digital transformation, the grant safeguards the responsible application of funds and the accountability of funded entities. Furthermore, the employment terms stipulated by the grant—such as a minimum contract duration of 12 months and at least 30 hours of work per week—ensure that job opportunities created under this program are stable and impactful, thereby providing meaningful career pathways for the tech-savvy graduates entering the job market.
In summary, the NovaScience grant reinforces the Quebec government's vision of a robust, innovation-driven economy by empowering SMEs to become hubs of technological progress and employment growth. With financial incentives, structured project requirements, and a focus on sustainable development, the grant serves as a catalyst for modernizing businesses, enhancing local talent pools, and ultimately securing Quebec's economic future. This strategic grant initiative represents a tangible opportunity for companies eager to grow through innovation, offering a platform to not only stabilize their operations but also significantly influence the regional innovation landscape through strategic investment in human capital.
