CQDM — PARTENAR-IA — Industry
- Open Date : April 15, 2025
- Closing date : October 15, 2025
Overview
Get a non-refundable grant up to $150,000 per partner company (to a maximum of $600,000) to cover up to 50% of the expenses when you partner with at least one other business and a research centre on an artificial intelligence project that accelerates drug
At a glance
Funding available
- Increase performance through digital transformation
- Develop a new product or service
- Reduce environmental footprint
- Maximum amount : 1,500,000 $
- Up to 35% of project cost
- Open Date : April 15, 2025
- Closing date : October 15, 2025
Eligible candidates
- All industries
- Quebec
- For-profit business
- All revenue ranges
- 250 employees maximum
- Startups
Next Steps
Activities funded
The Partenar-IA grant supports collaborative biopharmaceutical R&D projects that integrate artificial intelligence. These initiatives are designed to leverage AI technologies to advance pharmaceutical research and innovation.
- Collaborative biopharmaceutical R&D projects utilizing artificial intelligence.
- Projects involving partnerships between multiple Quebec SMEs or startups.
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
This grant is aimed at supporting companies and organizations operating in the burgeoning fields of artificial intelligence and quantum technologies. It particularly targets startups and small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Quebec that are engaged in innovative projects.
- Startups legally constituted according to the federal or Quebec laws, with a head office in Quebec and employing 250 people or less in Quebec.
- Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) with similar legal and operational criteria as startups.
- Enterprises not primarily owned (50% or more) by other existing companies or entities.
- Organizations not involved in industries excluded by the program, such as the production/distribution of weapons, fossil fuel activities, gambling, or businesses with unethical practices.
- Entities not under the protection of insolvency or bankruptcy laws.
- Companies that are neither state-controlled nor primarily owned by state entities.
- Organizations not on the list for non-fulfillment of francization obligations.
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
This grant is specifically available for businesses operating in Quebec. The eligible geographical scope ensures the support of local collaborative initiatives within the province.
- Businesses based in Quebec, Canada.
Additional information
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.