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Source verified July 6, 2026
CQDM — PARTENAR-IA — Academic
Support for collaborative biopharmaceutical AI projects
Funding available
$ 1,500,000
Deadline
Open continuously
Location
Quebec, Canada
Overview
Partenar-IA supports Quebec businesses in collaborative biopharmaceutical R&D projects using artificial intelligence. Eligible work includes planning, development, testing, real-world demonstration, and commercialization planning, with support for eligible research institutions and startups.
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Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase performance through digital transformation
- Conduct research and development activities
- Start a business
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 1,500,000 $
- Up to 35% of project cost
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Quebec
Legal structures
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- 250-250 employees
Audience
- Startups
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Collaborative innovation projects in artificial intelligence or quantum technologies
- Development, improvement, testing, validation, and real-world demonstration of a solution
- Commercialization planning, IP protection, and technology showcase activities
Documents Needed
- Letter of intention
- Signed application form
- Letter of commitment from the incubator or accelerator for startups
- Service offer from the eligible public research centre, when applicable
- Detailed service offer from suppliers or specialists
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Quebec businesses
- SMEs
- Startups
- Groups of companies carrying out collaborative innovation projects
Who is not eligible
- Businesses registered on the public contracts ineligibility register (RENA)
- State-owned companies or government-controlled entities
- Companies in bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings
- Holding companies
- Businesses whose main activity is arms, fossil fuels, gambling, violent games, sexual exploitation, tobacco or drugs, or protected political or religious activities
Eligible expenses
- Professional fees, including subcontracting services
- Direct labour costs, including benefits and project management fees
- Travel and lodging costs linked to the project
- Direct costs for materials, inventory, equipment, and equipment rental
- IP protection, certification, and technology showcase expenses
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Expenses incurred before the submission of a complete and admissible file
- Debt service, loan repayments, capital losses, and capital replacement payments
- Routine operating expenses and recurring software subscription or update fees
- Land acquisition or development, and building acquisition, construction, or expansion
- Taxes, Mitacs bursaries, and commercialization expenses not tied to a real-world demonstration
Eligible geographic areas
- Quebec
Selection criteria
- Scientific and technological quality
- Economic impact and commercial potential
- Project relevance, innovation, and feasibility
- Collaboration quality and partner expertise
- Environmental, ethical, and national security considerations
How to apply
- Read the guide in full
- Submit the letter of intent to the supporting organization
- Complete and sign the application form
- Prepare all required documents
- Send the electronic application to the appropriate organization or email address for the project type
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are first reviewed for administrative admissibility
- Eligible applications are then assessed scientifically, technologically, and economically
- Projects are also subject to elimination criteria and a national security risk assessment
- Selected projects are confirmed through a funding agreement between the parties
- Up to three payments per year may be made, with a possible advance of up to 50%
- A final report and a financial report prepared by an external auditing firm are required before the remaining balance is paid
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the CQDM — PARTENAR-IA — Academic Program
What is the CQDM — PARTENAR-IA — Academic?
Partenar-IA supports Quebec businesses in collaborative biopharmaceutical R&D projects using artificial intelligence. Eligible work includes planning, development, testing, real-world demonstration, and commercialization planning, with support for eligible research institutions and startups.
How much funding can be received?
CQDM — PARTENAR-IA — Academic Funds up to 35% of admissible expenses, capped at $1,500,000 per project.
Who is eligible for the CQDM — PARTENAR-IA — Academic program?
To be eligible for the CQDM — PARTENAR-IA — Academic program, you must:
At least two Quebec SMEs or startups
Minimum industrial contribution of 25%
Maximum project duration of 2 years
What expenses are eligible under CQDM — PARTENAR-IA — Academic?
Collaborative innovation projects in artificial intelligence or quantum technologies
Development, improvement, testing, validation, and real-world demonstration of a solution
Commercialization planning, IP protection, and technology showcase activities
Who can I contact for more information about the CQDM — PARTENAR-IA — Academic?
You can contact Quebec Consortium for Drug Discovery (CQDM) by email at mpaquette@cqdm.org or by phone at 514-766-6661.
Where is the CQDM — PARTENAR-IA — Academic available?
The CQDM — PARTENAR-IA — Academic program is available the province of Quebec.
Is the CQDM — PARTENAR-IA — Academic a grant, loan, or tax credit?
CQDM — PARTENAR-IA — Academic is a Partnering and Collaboration