CQDM — PARTENAR-IA — Industry

Who is eligible?

• Quebec SMEs
• Quebec startups
• Groups of companies with at least two Quebec SMEs or startups

Who is not eligible

This grant excludes certain companies and industries primarily based on their registration status, ethical considerations, and main business activities that are not aligned with the grant's objectives. The restrictions ensure that the funds are applied appropriately to industries contributing positively to the Quebec economy and innovation goals.

• Companies registered on the Registre des entreprises non admissibles aux contrats publics (RENA).
• Companies on the List of enterprises not conforming to the francization process.
• Companies that have previously defaulted on financial aid obligations to the Ministry or Investissement Québec.
• State-owned enterprises, or companies controlled by municipal, provincial, or federal governments.
• Companies under the protection of the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act or the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act.
• Holding companies.
• Companies engaging in unethical practices or that could damage the public image of the Quebec government.
• Companies with prohibited principal business activities like weapons production, fossil energy exploitation, gambling, sexual services, or tobacco-related services.

Eligible expenses

The grant supports projects focused on developing innovative solutions using artificial intelligence (AI) or quantum technologies from planning to pre-commercial demonstration. Eligible projects should demonstrate significant short-term impact potential. These solutions can be aimed at organizational improvement or sales.

• Development of a new solution or significant improvement of an existing one using AI or quantum technologies.
• Projects must display a competitive advantage over existing market solutions.
• The project must involve technological and/or business risk and require research and development efforts.
• Projects should have commercial potential if the solution is intended for sale.
• Must comply with one or more principles of the Sustainable Development Act (RLRQ, chapitre D-8.1.1).
• Projects in AI must focus on ethical use, responsible AI development, and data governance.
• Projects could include sectors like agriculture, forestry, aerospace, healthcare, and more.
• Collaborative projects involving multiple Quebec companies, including at least one SME or startup, sharing costs and benefits.
• Partnership work with Quebec public research centers.

Eligible geographic areas

• Quebec

The evaluation and selection of projects for this grant are based on specific criteria with allocated point scores to ensure alignment with the grant’s objectives.

• Niveau d’innovation du projet - 15%
• Qualité scientifique/technologique du projet - problématique, objectifs, qualité des données préliminaires ou recherchées, approche méthodologique, faisabilité industrielle, adéquation avec les objectifs du programme, développement ou déploiement responsable sur le plan environnemental, éthique, économique - 15%
• Réalisation du projet - étapes de réalisation, bien-fondé et justification de la demande d’aide financière, gestion de la propriété intellectuelle (protection et valorisation commerciale), respect d’un ou plusieurs principes du développement durable - 10%
• Collaboration et expertise pour la réalisation du projet - recours à des chercheurs/experts en IA, recours à des organismes de recherche et d’innovation, niveau d’engagement des partenaires et du milieu preneur, nombre et pertinence des partenaires, expertise des entrepreneurs, historique en matière de recherche et d’innovation, capacité de l’équipe et de l’entreprise de mener à terme le projet - 20%
• Retombées anticipées - impact sur l’avancement des connaissances, amélioration du positionnement de l’entreprise, retombées économiques, répercussions sur le secteur d’application, potentiel de commercialisation, contribution au développement de la relève et à l’adoption plus large de la technologie pour entreprise utilisatrice - 40%

Additionally, economic evaluation criteria are considered:

• Qualité du projet, objectifs, enjeux à résoudre, situation à améliorer et livrables attendus, pertinence du budget et des offres de services - 20%
• Capacité de l’entreprise à réaliser le projet avec succès sur le plan des ressources humaines et financières, et répercussions pour l’entreprise - 60%
• Adéquation des dépenses avec les objectifs du programme - 10%
• Structure de financement et, plus particulièrement, appui des partenaires - 10%

• Step 1: Review the information guide
  • Read the full guide before preparing your application.
• Step 2: Prepare the application
  • Complete the application form and gather the required documents.
• Step 3: Submit the application
  • Send the application through the designated channel indicated in the program documents.

Here are additional relevant details for this grant:

• This grant requires collaboration involving at least two Quebec-based businesses, one of which must be an SME or startup.
• Projects must include collaboration with public research centers where applicable.
• All projects must be submitted in French, per the requirements outlined.
• The grant may not be combined with other programs from the Ministry.
• The Ministry reserves the right to limit the number and value of projects approved to comply with budgetary allocations.
• The funding agreement entails an obligation for a final report from an external auditing firm.
• A minimum residual amount of 15% of the government's contribution is withheld until project obligations are met.