Get a non-refundable grant up to $500,000 to cover up to 40% of eligible expenses when your SME partners with a research centre on an artificial intelligence R&D project in the field of metal transformation.

Eligibility criteria

The eligibility criteria for the grant require all project partners to be members of CRITM and the project must align with one or more of CRITM's research axes. The request for funding must be submitted by the research institution using the designated forms.

All project partners must become members of CRITM to benefit from the funding (for the duration of the project).
The project must be related to one or more of CRITM's research axes.
The funding request must be submitted by the research institution using the designated forms.
Contributions from government partners, if necessary, are considered public contributions and are included in the total public funds (NSERC, other ministries except MEIE, etc.).
Industrial partners must provide a letter of commitment for the project, indicating their cash and in-kind contributions as well as the anticipated benefits.

Who is eligible

Yes, there are eligible types of companies for this grant. The eligible companies must be members of CRITM and must touch on one of the sectors in metallic transformation.

Legally constituted under federal or Quebec laws.
Headquartered in Quebec with employees or subcontractors working mainly from Quebec.
Employ 249 employees or less.
Not owned 50% or more by other existing companies or organizations.
Must significantly contribute to the project.
Must be regular members of CRITM.

Who is not eligible

Yes, certain types of companies are not eligible for this grant:

Companies controlled directly or indirectly by a government, municipal entity, or crown corporation.
Companies listed as ineligible for public contracts or under the protection of the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act or the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act.

Eligible expenses

Yes, there are eligible expenses for this grant. These expenses are directly related to the projects, including salaries, materials, equipment, travel, and more.

Salaries, treatments and benefits
Scholarships to students
Materials, consumables and supplies
Purchase or rental of equipment (up to 25% of total eligible expenses)
CRITM's management fees
Intellectual property exploitation costs
Professional fees
Travel and accommodation expenses related to the project
Monetary compensations for participation in projects
Knowledge dissemination fees
Subcontracting contract fees

Eligible projects & activities

Yes, there are several activities eligible for this grant.

Development of new or improved transformation processes
Creation of advanced metallic products
Reduction of ecological footprint
Digital innovation including AI applications
Collaboration between businesses and research institutions
Promotion of student involvement and highly qualified personnel
Technology transfer to the industrial sector
Exploration of new opportunities in the metallic transformation sector
Support for projects enhancing technological innovation

Eligible geographic areas

Eligible organizations must be legally incorporated under federal or Quebec laws and registered with the Quebec Enterprise Registrar, with their headquarters in Quebec and employees or subcontractors primarily working from Quebec.

Legally constituted according to federal or Quebec laws
Registered with the Quebec Enterprise Registrar
Headquarters in Quebec
Employees or subcontractors working primarily from Quebec

Evaluation & selection criteria

Yes, there are evaluation and selection criteria for this grant program. Submitted projects are evaluated based on criteria such as innovation, partner capabilities, and potential economic and technological impacts.

Degree of innovation of the product/process: the project must present a clearly innovative aspect compared to what currently exists.
The capacity of partners to complete the project, including the level of commitment of companies in executing the project and their financial involvement.
Quality of the research team and the public-private partnership (complementarity and level of expertise).
Anticipated technological and commercial impacts for partner companies.
Training of students and highly qualified personnel.
Other economic impacts for Quebec.

How to apply

Step 1: Ensure eligibility
Verify that your organization is a member of CRITM
Ensure that your project is related to one or more of the CRITM’s research axes
Confirm that your organization is legally constituted according to federal or Quebec laws and registered with the Registraire des entreprises du Québec
Step 2: Collaborate with partners
Identify industrial and research partners
Obtain letters of commitment from industrial partners detailing their contributions and expected benefits
Step 3: Prepare the application
Complete the required application forms provided by CRITM
Detail the project proposal, including innovation aspects, team qualifications, and anticipated economic impacts
Include budget and financial structure, covering eligible expenses and contributions from different partners
Step 4: Submit the application
Submit your completed application to CRITM by the specified deadline
Ensure all required documents and supporting materials are included
Step 5: Evaluation process
Wait for the evaluation committee to review the proposal based on innovation, feasibility, and economic impact criteria
Provide additional information if requested by CRITM
Step 6: Approval and funding
If approved, sign agreements covering project scope, deliverables, and management of intellectual property
Receive funding according to the agreed terms and conditions
Step 7: Project execution and reporting
Implement the project as per the approved plan
Submit progress reports and financial statements as required by CRITM

Additional information

CRITM's PARTENAR-IA Académique program targets academic collaboration in AI with specific goals, eligibility criteria, and financial norms.

The deadline for project submission is October 27, 2023.
Eligible enterprises must be regular members of CRITM and connected to the metal transformation sector.
Projects must align with at least one of CRITM's research axes: process development, advanced metallic product design, ecological footprint reduction, or digital innovation.
The maximum allowable project duration is 36 months.
For projects involving SMEs or startups, CRITM may cover up to 40% of eligible costs in cash.
For projects involving large enterprises, CRITM may cover up to 20% of eligible costs in cash and in-kind contributions.
The program also includes specific provisions for financial contributions, eligible costs, and evaluation criteria.
An IP management agreement must be signed between project partners.
RSRI collaborates with multiple sector-specific organizations for broader IA-related support.
Contact details for CRITM's Director and Program Officer are provided for further assistance.

Contact information

jfstcyr@critm.ca

(418)

Apply to this program

Funding Opportunity for Collaborative Research in Metal Transformation

The Consortium for Research and Innovation in Metal Transformation (CRITM) is launching its 8th call for projects under the PARTENAR-IA Academic program, aiming to support collaborative research projects that integrate artificial intelligence to enhance the metal transformation sector in Quebec. Applications are open to CRITM members, with a submission deadline of October 27, 2023.

Unlock Funding for Innovations in Metal Transformation with CRITM's PARTENAR-IA Academic Program

Are you involved in the metal transformation sector and seeking to push the envelope with innovative, AI-driven solutions? The Consortium for Research and Innovation in Transformation Metal (CRITM) offers a lucrative opportunity through its PARTENAR-IA Academic program. This initiative is designed to foster collaboration between industry players and academic research institutions to drive forward groundbreaking projects in the domain of metal transformation. Here's everything you need to know about applying for this funding opportunity and ensuring your project gets the support it needs to flourish.

Introduction to the PARTENAR-IA Academic Program

The PARTENAR-IA Academic program is part of CRITM’s broader vision to spearhead innovation in the metal transformation sector via collaborative research efforts. This initiative is specifically aimed at leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to develop new processes, improve existing methodologies, and create advanced metal products that boost the sector’s competitiveness on a global stage. With over 317 active members and a history of successful projects backed by more than $80 million in investments, CRITM stands as a cornerstone of innovation in metal transformation.

Key Objectives of the PARTENAR-IA Academic Program

The PARTENAR-IA Academic program embodies a set of defined objectives, all of which contribute to the overarching goals of CRITM:

Enhancing Competitiveness: By integrating AI into their processes, companies can achieve significant competitive advantages.
Promoting Collaboration: The program facilitates partnerships between businesses of all sizes and research institutions, fostering a collaborative environment for AI integration in the industry.
Structuring Industry Adoption: The initiative aims to accelerate the widespread adoption of AI technologies within the metal transformation sectors.
Boosting Economic Impact: Projects backed by PARTENAR-IA are expected to generate considerable economic benefits, creating immediate and lasting impacts.
Positioning Quebec as a Leader: By supporting innovative AI projects, the program contributes to cementing Quebec’s status as a global leader in AI development.

Axes of Research

Projects eligible for funding must align with one or more of CRITM’s key research axes, which include:

Development of Transformation Processes: Innovations in metal extraction, productivity enhancements, 3D printing, industry 4.0, and automation.
Creation of Advanced Metal Products: New alloys, improved manufacturing techniques, lightweight structures, and advancements in metal powders.
Reducing Ecological Footprint: Initiatives focused on reducing pollution, valorizing byproducts, energy recovery, and promoting eco-friendly processes.
Digital Innovation: The development and adaptation of digital technologies to improve production processes through automation and data analysis.

Eligible Entities

To qualify for funding under the PARTENAR-IA Academic program, your organization must:

Be a regular member of CRITM;
Be involved in various sectors of metal transformation including extraction, primary production, secondary and tertiary transformation, recycling, etc.;
Work with eligible metals such as steel, aluminum, and other critical minerals listed by the Government of Quebec;
Involve at least one institution of research (university, CCTT, or recognized research center).

Funding Norms

The level and type of funding depend on the scale and profile of the project:

For Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) or Startups: CRITM covers up to 40% of eligible expenses, with a project duration of up to 36 months and minimum cash contributions of 20% from the enterprises involved.
For Large Enterprises (GE): Funding covers up to 20% of eligible expenses, with the same project duration of up to 36 months. Enterprises need to contribute at least 40% of the project cost, with a maximum of 50% in-kind contributions.

Eligible Expenses

Funded projects can utilize the grants to cover a variety of eligible expenses, which include:

Salaries and benefits for project staff;
Material and consumable supplies;
Equipment purchase or rental (up to 25% of the total expenses);
Travel and accommodation costs related to project execution;
Costs of knowledge dissemination;
Intellectual property management expenses.

Sample Financial Breakdown

Here's how a typical project finance breakdown could look:

For a $1,000,000 project involving an SME: Minimum $200,000 in cash comes from the SME, with CRITM funding $400,000 and an equivalent $400,000 from supplementary funding sources.
For a $1,000,000 project involving a GE: The GE contributes $200,000 in cash and $200,000 in in-kind, with CRITM funding $200,000 and an additional $400,000 from other sources.

Project Selection Criteria

Projects will be evaluated based on:

Degree of Innovation: The project must exhibit clear novelty;
Partner Capabilities: Assessed based on financial commitment and engagement;
Quality Partnership: The synergies between research institutions and industry partners;
Anticipated Impact: Technological and commercial benefits;
Training and Economic Benefits: Potential for workforce development and broader economic advantages for Quebec.

Application Process

Projects must be submitted by the involved research institution using the specified forms and must include a detailed financial plan and engagement letters from industrial partners specifying their contributions. The deadline for submission is October 27, 2023.

Intellectual Property Management

CRITM does not claim ownership of any intellectual property generated by the projects it funds. However, an agreement among the project partners concerning the management and exploitation of intellectual property is mandatory.

Contact and Further Information

For additional details and assistance with your application, please reach out to the CRITM team:

Mr. Jean-François St-Cyr, Director of Programs: jfstcyr@critm.ca
Mr. Olivier Arnaud Sadoung Noubossié, Program Officer: oa.sadoung@critm.ca

The CRITM office is located at 2900, ch. Quatre-Bourgeois, local 207, Québec (Québec) G1V 1Y4. More information can be found on their website www.critm.ca. Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to advance your AI-driven metal transformation project. Apply now and become a part of Quebec’s burgeoning innovation ecosystem!

PARTENAR-IA — CRITM — Academic

At a glance

Overview