How much funding can be received?

Get up to $350,000 non-repayable grant per business partner (up to $1.5 million to cover up to 50% of expenses if you partner with at least one other company and a research centre for an artificial intelligence project in the field of industrial bioproces

grant_single_labels|projects

This grant is available to Quebec-based companies as it specifically supports enterprises within the region. It aims at promoting innovation projects under the Quebec bioeconomy sector leveraging artificial intelligence.

Businesses must have their headquarters in Quebec.
The companies should be registered with the Quebec Enterprise Registrar.
The consortium must include at least one Quebec-based SME.

grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample

$350,000

Commercialization of AI technology for pest management in agriculture

$350,000

Adoption of AI-powered soil analysis tools for organic farming

$350,000

AI-powered fishery management system to optimize capture and sustainability

$350,000

Development of an AI system for sustainable forest management planning

$350,000

AI-driven waste management solution for urban environments

$350,000

Development of AI-driven optimization for dairy production processes

grant_single_labels|admissibility

Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific requirements related to the characteristics and parameters of the applicant companies and their collaborative projects.

The applicant must be a Quebec-based enterprise or cooperative legally constituted under federal or Quebec law and registered with the Quebec Enterprise Registrar.
The company must have its head office in Quebec, with employees or subcontractors primarily working in Quebec.
The company must have 250 employees or fewer in Quebec.
The company's assets, calculated on a global basis, must be less than $50 million for the fiscal year ending in the calendar year preceding the current year.
At least one public research institute involvement is necessary, such as a university, CCTT, or government research center.
Only members in good standing with CRIBIQ are eligible to apply, which implies all participating partners must ensure their membership status at the time of application submission.
The project must involve the development, commercialization, or adoption of AI technologies in the bioeconomy sectors.
Companies directly or indirectly controlled by government entities or municipalities, majority-owned by a state corporation, under protection from the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act or Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act, or listed on the register of enterprises not eligible for public contracts are not eligible.

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply

Eligible applicants for the Artificial Intelligence Funding Program PARTENAR-IA targeting enterprises in the bioeconomy sector must meet certain criteria to be considered. This includes:

Legally constituted businesses under Quebec or federal law registered with the Quebec Enterprise Registrar.
Headquartered in Quebec with employees or subcontractors working primarily in Quebec.
Quebec-based small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with 250 or fewer employees.
Having worldwide assets under $50 million for the fiscal year ending in the year prior to application.
Must be members in good standing of CRIBIQ at the time of the detailed application submission.

Certain organizations are ineligible, including:

Government or municipally controlled companies.
State-owned enterprises.
Companies under bankruptcy protection or insolvency.
Companies listed on the Quebec non-eligible public contracts registry.
Companies failing to fulfill previous financial aid obligations from the Ministry or Investissement Québec.
Enterprises posing ethical concerns that might damage governmental integrity.
Entities classified as holding companies.

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply

This grant excludes certain companies due to their status, including government-controlled entities and those under financial distress. These restrictions ensure alignment with the grant's goal of fostering private sector innovation in the bioeconomy within Quebec.

Companies controlled directly or indirectly by a governmental (provincial or federal) or municipal entity.
Businesses majority-owned by a crown corporation.
Companies under protection under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act or the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act.
Businesses listed in the Register of businesses ineligible for public contracts (RENA), including subcontractors required to perform the work.
Companies that have failed to meet obligations related to previous financial assistance from MEIE or Investissement Québec.
Enterprises with ethical behaviors potentially tarnishing the government's image.
Businesses classified as ineligible clientele under the Ministry's responsible financing policy.
Holding companies.

grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses

This grant supports the innovation and integration of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies in various phases of bioeconomy sectors. The eligible project activities emphasize collaboration between businesses, development, commercialization, and validation of new AI-driven solutions.

Conducting preliminary studies and activities essential for planning and executing the project, including project assembly in cooperation with partners, and international collaboration assistance.
Development or enhancement of a product or process encompassing conception, design, engineering, and prototyping.
Testing and validation of the product or process through prototype testing, pilot production testing, and controlled environment demonstrations.
Formulation of a commercialization plan and steps necessary for certification or homologation.
Demonstration in real-world operation settings outside laboratories, including scaling up efforts to complete development or improvement of the product or process.
Showcasing technological solutions by demonstrating or utilizing the product or process in real operational settings with an independent partner (either public or private in Canada or internationally).

grant_eligibility_criteria|zone

The grant covers specific expenses directly associated with the execution and management of the AI integration projects in the bioeconomy sector.

Professional fees for specialized services, including subcontracting services.
Direct labor costs allocated to the project, including social benefits and contributions to mandatory plans, as well as project management fees.
Travel and accommodation expenses, including those for potential clients visiting real operation demonstrations or technological showcases, related to project execution.
Direct costs of materials and inventory.
Direct equipment costs, calculated based on the proportion between the project duration and the equipment's useful life.
Equipment rental costs.
Costs for acquiring studies or other documentation.
Animal care and platform fees.
Costs for preparing an intellectual property protection strategy, obtaining intellectual property protection, acquiring rights or intellectual property licenses, including patent application fees.
Costs for obtaining a certification or approval necessary for commercialization.
Exhibitions and trade shows to present the product or process and attract potential clients to the technology showcase.
In-kind expenses from project partners.
CRIBIQ management fees: 5% of the total eligible project expenses, with taxes.
A maximum of 27% of indirect research costs can be charged by universities and affiliated hospital centers.

grant_single_labels|criteria

The evaluation and selection of projects for this grant are based on specific criteria to ensure the alignment with the objectives of enhancing the integration of AI in Quebec's bioeconomy sectors.

Innovative Character: Projects must demonstrate innovative aspects or potential innovation compared to the current state of the art. This is an eliminatory criterion.
Quality of the Consortium: The project must show the quality of the partners involved and the match between scientific expertise and industrial needs, as well as the quality of AI expertise and potential benefits for each industrial partner involved. Active collaboration from industrial partners is also assessed. This is an eliminatory criterion.
Scientific Quality, Methodology, and Project Setup: Projects are evaluated on their scientific quality, the level of excellence or expertise of academic teams involved, scientific or technical feasibility, project structuring, step definition, deliverables, and milestone identification.
Project Impacts: The potential for use or integration of project results by the industries involved and the economic or commercial application prospects or competitive advantages are considered.
Budget, Timeline, and Training: The realism of the timeline, financial structure justification against expenses, and training or involvement of qualified personnel, such as graduate students, postdocs, technicians, or interns, are evaluated.

grant_single_labels|register

Here are the steps to submit an application for this grant:

Step 1: Obtain Required Forms
- Contact Matthieu Glanowski, the project coordinator, via email at matthieu.glanowski@cribiq.qc.ca to obtain the required forms for the submission of your full application.
Step 2: Prepare Application
- Fill out the Detailed Application form ensuring all sections are completed.
- Prepare a comprehensive project proposal covering the development, commercialization, or adoption of AI technologies.
- Include financial statements, projections, and a Gantt chart detailing project milestones and schedules.
- Gather letters of commitment from partnering businesses and financial contributors.
- Compile necessary documentation like certifications and equal access program setups if applicable.
- Prepare CVs for all human resources involved and detailed offers of service from research providers.
Step 3: Submit Application
- Submit the complete application package including all documentation and the calculation grid by October 13, 2023.
- Ensure submissions adhere to CRIBIQ’s requirements and deadlines for acceptance.

grant_single_labels|otherInfo

Here are additional relevant details for this grant:

Applicants must submit a letter of intent; however, for this specific call, the letter of intent submission is not applicable.
Successful projects will be those that align closely with Quebec's strategic initiatives in AI and the bioeconomy.
Projects must adhere to language requirements, including project documentation in French as stipulated by Quebec's language policies.
CRIBIQ offers continuous project support, from the submission phase through the project's lifecycle, ensuring guidance on project execution and compliance.
Applicants should consider engaging with a wide array of stakeholders, including research institutions and other industry actors to strengthen the competitiveness and innovativeness of their proposals.

grant_single_labels|documents

PARTENAR-IA — CRIBIQ — Industry

grant_single_labels|contact

matthieu.glanowski@cribiq.qc.ca

418 914-1608

Apply to this program

Artificial Intelligence Funding to Boost Quebec's Bioeconomy

This grant program offers funding to Quebec-based businesses dedicated to integrating artificial intelligence technologies into bioeconomy sectors. The goal is to enhance competitiveness, encourage collaborations, and drive innovation through AI advancements.

Exploring the PARTENAR-IA Funding Program: Elevating Bioeconomy Through AI

The PARTENAR-IA funding program, under the auspices of Investissement Québec's Innovation Program, is a strategic initiative aimed primarily at small and medium-sized businesses in Quebec. It seeks to foster the development and commercialization of artificial intelligence technologies within the province's bioeconomy, a sector that holds significant promise for long-term sustainability and economic prosperity. By leveraging the province's robust AI ecosystem, the program envisions creating transformative impacts across various bioeconomic industries, which include agriculture, forestry, aquaculture, and more.

One of the program's salient features is its emphasis on collaboration. It encourages partnerships between enterprises and public research institutions, such as universities and governmental research centers. This collaborative approach not only enhances the research depth and technical prowess but also ensures a practical translation of AI innovations into viable industrial applications. The program aims to develop AI solutions that are not only innovative but also offer immediate economic benefits by enhancing productivity, efficiency, and competitiveness in the bioeconomy sectors.

The importance of AI in these sectors cannot be overstated. AI technologies can optimize resource management, improve biomass processing, refine agricultural practices, and develop industrial bioproducts, thereby addressing crucial challenges within these industries. The funding is particularly geared towards projects that use AI to create significant improvements or entirely new methodologies, adding a competitive edge to the businesses involved and driving substantial economic returns.

To qualify for funding, projects must demonstrate a high level of innovation and the potential for significant industrial impact. The proposal should outline a clear path from research to implementation, involving AI-driven solutions that solve industry-specific challenges. Only projects that align with the program's strategic objectives and display feasibility are selected, ensuring that resources are allocated to initiatives with the highest potential for success.

Moreover, the PARTENAR-IA program plays a pivotal role in positioning Quebec as a leader in AI applications within the bioeconomy. It not only bolsters the existing AI ecosystem but also aligns with global efforts towards sustainable and innovative industrial practices. Successful projects under this program are likely to set benchmarks for others, creating a ripple effect throughout the industry and demonstrating the tangible benefits of integrating AI into the bioeconomy.

This funding opportunity is a unique chance for Quebec businesses to advance their use of AI and achieve competitive differentiation. Enterprises that partake in this program are poised to become pioneers in AI innovation within their industries while contributing to the broader objective of establishing Quebec as a hub for cutting-edge AI solutions in the bioeconomy.