Closed
CQRDA — PARTENAR-IA — Academic
Collaborative AI innovation support for Quebec businesses
Last Update: April 9, 2026
Funding available
$ 1,500,000
Timeline
- Receipt of requests is now closed
Location
Saguenay, Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean, Quebec, Canada
Overview
This program supports collaborative AI innovation projects with Quebec research institutions and businesses. It offers up to $1.5M per project to advance development, commercialization, and adoption of artificial intelligence technologies.
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Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase performance through digital transformation
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Develop a new product or service
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 1,500,000 $
- Up to 40% of project cost
Timeline
- Receipt of requests is now closed
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Manufacturing
- Professional, scientific and technical services
Location
- Saguenay
- Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean
- Quebec
Legal structures
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- 249 employees maximum
Audience
- Startups
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- AI innovation projects for development, commercialization, or adoption of technologies.
- Collaborative projects between businesses and Quebec research institutions.
- Projects aimed at improving competitiveness through AI adoption.
- Projects supporting large-scale integration of AI in economic sectors.
Documents Needed
- Application form
- Program guide
- Financial structure template for SME projects
- Financial structure template for large enterprise projects
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Quebec universities
- Colleges
- Public research centres
- Technology transfer centres (CCTTs)
- Quebec SMEs and large enterprises
Eligible expenses
- Salaries, wages, and employee benefits
- Student scholarships
- Materials, consumables, and supplies
- Equipment purchase or rental, including software licenses
- Professional fees, subcontracting, travel, knowledge dissemination, and project management fees
Eligible geographic areas
- Quebec
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are reviewed after submission for complete eligibility.
- Funding can only begin after the project is confirmed eligible.
- The project may start after eligibility confirmation and within 9 months of MEI approval.
- Approval is required before the project can proceed.
Additional information
- Projects can start only after full eligibility is confirmed.
- The project must begin no later than 9 months after MEI funding approval.
- The program supports non-repayable funding through two streams: SME projects and large enterprise projects.
- Questions about partner eligibility can be directed to the CQRDA project team.
Documents and links
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the CQRDA — PARTENAR-IA — Academic Program
Here are answers to the most common questions about the CQRDA — PARTENAR-IA — Academic. This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.
What is the CQRDA — PARTENAR-IA — Academic?
This program supports collaborative AI innovation projects with Quebec research institutions and businesses. It offers up to $1.5M per project to advance development, commercialization, and adoption of artificial intelligence technologies.
How much funding can be received?
CQRDA — PARTENAR-IA — Academic Funds up to 40% of admissible expenses, capped at $1,500,000 per project.
Who is eligible for the CQRDA — PARTENAR-IA — Academic program?
To be eligible for the CQRDA — PARTENAR-IA — Academic program, you must:
Quebec-registered company
Project with research partner
SME or large enterprise involvement
What expenses are eligible under CQRDA — PARTENAR-IA — Academic?
AI innovation projects for development, commercialization, or adoption of technologies.
Collaborative projects between businesses and Quebec research institutions.
Projects aimed at improving competitiveness through AI adoption.
Projects supporting large-scale integration of AI in economic sectors.
Who can I contact for more information about the CQRDA — PARTENAR-IA — Academic?
You can contact Centre québécois de recherche et de développement de l’aluminium (CQRDA) by email at projetsRD@cqrda.ca or by phone at 418 545-5520.
Where is the CQRDA — PARTENAR-IA — Academic available?
The CQRDA — PARTENAR-IA — Academic program is available Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean, Quebec.
Is the CQRDA — PARTENAR-IA — Academic a grant, loan, or tax credit?
CQRDA — PARTENAR-IA — Academic is a Partnering and Collaboration