NovaScience Program — Support for junior employment
Last Update: June 19, 2025
QC, Canada
NovaScience supports innovation job integration in Quebec businesses
NovaScience Program — Support for junior employment at a glance
Eligible Funding
- Max. $30,000
- Up to 50% of project cost
Timeline
- Closing date : May 1, 2024
Financing Type
Grant and Funding
Eligible Industries
- Information and cultural industries
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Health care and social assistance
Grant Providers
- Gouvernement du Québec
Status
Closed
Overview of the NovaScience Program — Support for junior employment program
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.
Financing 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%.
Eligible projects & activities
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.
Examples of admissible projects:
$ 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.
Eligibility criteria of the NovaScience Program — Support for junior employment program
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.
Who is eligible?
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.
Who is not eligible
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.
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.
Eligible geographic areas
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.
Eligibility criteria of the NovaScience Program — Support for junior employment program
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.
How to apply to the NovaScience Program — Support for junior employment program
1
Acknowledgment of the presentation guide for requests
Read the Application Submission Guide carefully.
2
Downloading the forms
Save the form to your computer to fill it out with Adobe Reader.
3
Filling out the application
- Fill out the financial aid application form.
- Prepare the supporting documents according to the guide.
4
Signature and compilation of documents
- Date and sign the duly completed form.
- Scan the signed version of the form.
5
Sending the request
- Send by email the electronic version of the form and the duly completed and signed scanned version.
- Include all mandatory documents in the submission to the address demande.soutien.emploi@economie.gouv.qc.ca.
- Ensure submission before the deadline of May 1, 2024, at 11:59 PM.
Additional information
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.
Contact Gouvernement du Québec
NovaScienceProjet@economie.gouv.qc.ca
1 877 511-5889
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