Financial assistance program for businesses in physical activities (PAFEMAP)

• Maximum financial assistance per project is $200,000 over the duration of the program.
• Funding covers up to 80% of eligible project costs; the recipient must contribute at least 20%.
• The combined public funding from Quebec, Canadian governments, and municipalities cannot exceed 80% of eligible expenses.
• The grant is issued in two instalments: 90% upon signing the financial agreement, and the remaining 10% by March 31 of each financial year.

• The applicant must be a non-profit organization incorporated under Part III of the Companies Act or a cooperative constituted under the Cooperatives Act.
• The organization must be registered in the Quebec Enterprise Register.
• The organization must have been active in Quebec for at least two years.
• The organization must carry civil liability insurance that covers its administrators throughout the duration of the program.
• The organization must operate at the provincial level, having sufficient representation in at least nine out of Quebec's seventeen administrative regions.
• The proposed project must foster regular participation in physical activity, sport, active leisure, or outdoor activities across all regions of Quebec, and be completed by March 31, 2026.

Who is eligible?

• Non-profit organizations (incorporated under Part III of the Companies Act)
• Cooperatives (incorporated under the Cooperatives Act)
• Organizations offering services in physical activity
• Organizations engaged in sports, active leisure, or outdoor activities

Who is not eligible

• Companies and organizations listed in the Register of Enterprises Ineligible for Public Contracts (RENA).
• Government departments, agencies, and Crown corporations of Quebec or Canada, as well as municipal entities.
• Organizations in a state of bankruptcy.
• Organizations that failed to meet their obligations to the Ministry after a formal notice regarding previous financial aid within the past two years.
• Projects receiving existing funding from the Ministry of Education and those aimed primarily at cultural or tourism activities, scientific, electronic, motorized, socio-educational activities not directly related to active leisure, or commercial fundraising activities.

Eligible expenses

• Administrative or project coordination fees (up to a maximum of 5% of total eligible project costs).
• Project-related labour costs, including social benefits if applicable.
• Purchase of materials and supplies required for the project.
• Rental of goods or premises necessary for the project.
• Promotion or dissemination of the project.
• Travel expenses in accordance with Quebec government rates.
• Other justified project expenditures, with prior authorization from the Ministry of Education (MEQ).

Eligible geographic areas

• Organizations operating and registered in Quebec.
• Activities must be accessible in all administrative regions of Quebec (17 regions).

• Nature of the project (55%): Assesses alignment with community needs, originality, ability to reach the target population, adaptability, inclusion of groups with specific needs, replicability, creation of lasting impact, and influence on individuals and their environments.
• Applicant organization and project partners (20%): Evaluates the organization's alignment with the project, demonstrated expertise, and the strength and relevance of collaborations with other partners.
• Project implementation plan (25%): Reviews identification of resources, detailed and realistic budget and timeline, adequacy of the promotion plan, and clear indicators to measure project impacts and objective achievement.

• Only one grant application may be submitted per organization per financial year.
• The program concludes on March 31, 2026.
• Applicants must provide and keep up-to-date factual information in the MEQ's RADAR system during the agreement period.
• Disbursement of funds occurs in two installments: 90% upon signing, and the remaining 10% by March 31 of each fiscal year.