NovaScience Program
QC, Canada
Supporting the Promotion of Scientific Culture and the Integration of Emerging Scientific Talent into Employment
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- grant_single|timelineUnspecified
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Wage Subsidies And Interns
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Educational services
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- Gouvernement du Québec
- Ministère de l'économie, de l'innovation et de l'énergie du Québec (MEIE)
- Government of Canada
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The NovaScience program aims to promote scientific culture and innovation in Quebec, support the development and updating of innovation skills, and recognize outstanding individuals in research and innovation. It includes several components, such as support for organizations and projects in scientific culture and innovation, as well as employment support in scientific and technological fields.
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- Projects falling under six specific themes including scientific culture, equity, diversity, and inclusion in science and technology, events, life science, artificial intelligence training initiatives, and innovation spotlight (virtual/presential visits).
- Projects must target specific audiences including preschool children, primary and secondary school students, vocational training students, college and university students, educational personnel, and individuals in continuing education or corporate trainers.
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$35,000
Montréal
Develop an AI training initiative for university students in Montréal.
$25,000
Québec City
Organize a science fair for secondary school students in Québec City.
$30,000
Toronto
Create a STEM after-school program for primary school students in Toronto.
$20,000
Ottawa
Launch a virtual innovation spotlight series for corporate trainers in Ottawa.
$50,000
Vancouver
Launch a life sciences innovation program for college students in Vancouver.
$25,000
Calgary
Host an equity, diversity, and inclusion workshop series for educators in Calgary.
grant_single_labels|admissibility
- Research and Innovation and Life Sciences
- Non-profit organizations (NPOs) and for-profit organizations (FPOs), including collective enterprises such as cooperatives defined by the Social Economy Act (RLRQ, chapter E-1.1.1), employing fewer than 500 people, legally established and operational in Quebec, and registered in the Business Registry, are eligible.
- Digital Transformation of Business Activities
- For-profit organizations (FPOs) that employ fewer than 500 people, are legally established and active in Quebec, including collective enterprises such as cooperatives, defined by the Social Economy Act (RLRQ, chapter E-1.1.1), are eligible.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
- Non-profit organizations (NPOs) and for-profit organizations (FPOs) with establishments in Quebec are eligible.
- Recognized educational institutions and school organizations are eligible.
- Hospital centers and affiliated college technology transfer centers are eligible.
- Municipalities, cities, and regional county municipalities (RCMs), including similar organizations and NPOs established under the Cities and Towns Act, are eligible.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
- Hospitals and college technology transfer centers affiliated with educational institutions.
- Educational institutions recognized by the Ministère de l'Éducation or the Ministère de l'Enseignement supérieur (MES) and school organizations (school service centers and school boards).
- Organizations registered with the Registre des entreprises non admissibles aux contrats publics (RENA), including subcontracting organizations registered with RENA and scheduled to carry out work under the project.
- Organizations that have failed to meet their obligations following a formal notice issued by the Ministère de l'Économie, de l'Innovation et de l'Énergie or Investissement Québec concerning previous financial assistance, within the two years preceding the application.
- Crown corporations or companies controlled by a government (municipal, provincial, federal), a municipal entity or majority-owned by a Crown corporation.
- Organizations under the protection of the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act or the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act.
- Organizations exhibiting ethical behavior likely to tarnish the image of the Quebec government.
- Organizations operating in specific sectors:
- Production or distribution of weapons.
- Exploration, extraction, drilling, production and refining of fossil fuels (except activities related to the transition to a low-carbon economy).
- Gambling, violent games, combat sports involving living beings, racing and similar activities.
- Sexual exploitation (erotic bars, escort agencies, erotic massage parlors, swingers' clubs).
- Production, sale and services related to the consumption of tobacco or drugs (with the exception of cannabis and industrial hemp).
- Activities whose main subject is protected by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (religion, politics, advocacy, etc.).
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
Direct costs necessary and essential for project realization including salaries, fees, scholarships, materials, equipment and space rental, travel and stays in Quebec, knowledge dissemination, advertising, intellectual property, and administrative fees.
For employment support:
- Eligible expenses:
- 50% of the job holder's salary: includes social benefits. Up to $30,000
- Ineligible expenses:
- Expenses incurred before the deadline of the current call: including expenses for which a contractual commitment has already been made by the organization or company.
- Expenses related to performance bonuses.
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
The program supports projects in all regions of Quebec.
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- Digital Transformation Project
- Increase in productivity and competitiveness
- Project evaluation criteria (at least three out of five must be met):
- Knowledge transfer related to digital transformation.
- Research and development of digital solutions.
- Implementation and adaptation of digital solutions.
- Scientific or technological advancement targeted by the project.
- Integration of the digital transformation project into the company's digital plan.
- Project in Research and Innovation or Life Sciences
- Comprehensive evaluation (response to all five criteria required):
- Presence of scientific or technological uncertainty justifying R&D work.
- Hypotheses to reduce scientific or technological uncertainty.
- Systematic investigation or research to verify hypotheses.
- Scientific or technological advancement targeted.
- Verification of hypotheses and achievement of results.
Employment Evaluation Criteria
- Clarity, relevance, and coherence of tasks related to the job
- Nature and diversity of tasks to be performed in connection with research and innovation, life sciences, or digital transformation
- Fit between the project, the job, and the candidate's profile.
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1. Eligibility Check
- Verify that your organization and project meet the eligibility criteria specified for the themes of research and innovation, life sciences, or digital transformation of businesses.
2. Preparing the Application
- Ensure you understand the program's objectives and the specific expectations related to your project.
- Prepare all the information and documents necessary to demonstrate the compliance and eligibility of your project and the associated employment.
3. Submission of the Application
- Complete the financial aid application form in French, signed by an authorized person.
- Include all required documents in a single email submission to the specified address, with the subject "Financial Aid Application – name of the organization."
- Adhere to the stipulated deadline for project submission.
4. Review and Evaluation
- Your application will be evaluated based on the targeted employment and specific criteria for the type of project (research and innovation, life sciences, digital transformation). Ensure you meet the required criteria.
- A committee will evaluate applications based on these criteria and general compliance.
5. Notification and Follow-Up
- Once your application is evaluated, you will receive a notification from the ministry regarding the approval or rejection of your application.
- If approved, follow the instructions for disbursing financial aid and account settlement as specified.
6. Adhering to Financing Conditions
- Ensure compliance with the conditions related to financial aid and the accumulation of governmental aids.
- Prepare to submit follow-up reports and financial documents as indicated.
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- Advisory Service: Available until five business days before the application deadline to help with clarifications regarding compliance and eligibility.
- Submission Instructions: Applications must be submitted via email, including all required documentation in a single dispatch, and must be in French as per the requirements of the Charter of the French Language.
- Assessment and Funding: Decisions on project funding follow an evaluation by a committee and are based on the criteria mentioned, with special attention to regional representativeness.
- Funding Details: Non-repayable financial support, specifics of which depend on the type of organization (non-profit or for-profit) and the cumulative government aid permissible under the program rules.
- Program Coordination and Writing: Managed by the Ministry of Economy, Innovation, and Energy's Talent Development Directorate.
grant_single_labels|contact
demande.novascience.projet@economie.gouv.qc.ca
1 877 511-5889, poste 3213
Apply to this program
The NovaScience program, specifically its component 2B - Support for Employment in Research and Innovation (SERI), is a key initiative of the Ministry of Economy, Innovation, and Energy of Quebec. This program aims to promote growth and productivity among Quebec businesses by focusing on innovation, scientific research, entrepreneurship, as well as digital development and the expansion of export markets.
NovaScience's primary goal is to train and integrate the next generation of scientific and technological talent into the labor market. The program is designed to encourage a culture of scientific and innovative thinking, support and update innovation skills, recognize significant contributions to research and innovation, and develop high-level professional practices.
Component 2B targets small and medium-sized enterprises as well as for-profit and non-profit organizations by supporting projects in three main themes: research and innovation, life sciences, and digital transformation of businesses. The projects supported must be innovative and contribute to increasing the productivity and competitiveness of Quebec businesses.
To be eligible for this program, an organization must have fewer than 500 employees, be legally established and active in Quebec, and be registered in the Business Registry. It must not be an educational institution or a hospital center affiliated with such an institution.
The project submission process requires that applications be submitted via a specific form, accompanied by all necessary documents. Proposals are evaluated based on their compliance with the program's objectives and their potential for innovation.
The ministry's contribution is non-refundable and aims to support the payment of eligible expenses directly related to the project. These expenses primarily include the salaries of the involved personnel, including social benefits, but exclude expenses incurred before the submission deadline and performance bonuses.
The confidentiality of personal information collected during the process is guaranteed. Maintaining the integrity of data and information is a priority for the ministry, which commits to protecting personal and confidential information in accordance with data protection and privacy laws. The program aims not only to innovate but also to adhere to the strictest ethical standards in information management.
