How much funding can be received?

Funds up to 35% of admissible expenses, capped at $1500000 per project.

What is the deadline to apply?

The program is accepting continuous intake

Who are the financial supporters of the MTRIC — PARTENAR-IA — Industry?

MTRIC — PARTENAR-IA — Industry is funded by Metal Transformation Research and Innovation Consortium (MTRIC)

What are MTRIC — PARTENAR-IA — Industry's eligibility criterias?

Eligible companies must be regular members of the CRITM. Eligible projects must involve innovation in the fields of AI and quantum technologies and relate to the transformation of metals such as steel, aluminum, or other critical and strategic minerals defined by the Quebec government. Projects must include at least two companies, including one SME or startup, and may involve foreign or Canadian companies as a third partner.

MTRIC — PARTENAR-IA — Industry

Last Update: July 22, 2025

QC, Canada

Funding for Quebec metal transformation innovative collaborations in AI

MTRIC — PARTENAR-IA — Industry at a glance

Eligible Funding

Max. $1,500,000
Up to 35% of project cost

Timeline

Closing date : October 13, 2023

Financing Type

Grant and Funding

Eligible Industries

Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
Manufacturing

Grant Providers

Metal Transformation Research and Innovation Consortium (MTRIC)

Status

Closed

Overview of the MTRIC — PARTENAR-IA — Industry program

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 in the field of metal

Financing terms and conditions

CRITM offers non-repayable grants for projects under the PARTENAR-IA program.
The maximum project duration is 24 months.
A minimum of two companies must be involved in the project, including at least one SME or startup.
Canadian, foreign, or industrial association companies can participate as a third partner.
The maximum funding rate from CRITM is 35% of eligible expenses, which includes cash and in-kind contributions.
This funding rate increases to 50% for eligible expenses executed by a public research center constituting at least 20% of the project's eligible expenses, for access to quantum computing platforms via PINQ, Calcul Québec, and DistriQ, or for expenses undertaken by an eligible startup.
A minimum industrial contribution of 25% is required, comprising both cash and in-kind contributions.
The maximum cumulative public funding for a project, including cash and in-kind contributions, is 75%.
The maximum funding per project from CRITM is $1,500,000.
Applicants must include a detailed budget table indicating each partner's contribution.

Eligible projects & activities

Research and development collaborations between enterprises and academic institutions.
Projects focused on the development of new metallic transformation processes.
Initiatives aimed at enhancing existing transformation processes including automation and industry 4.0 technologies.
Development of advanced metallic products involving new alloys and product improvement.
Efforts to reduce the ecological footprint through emission reductions and energy recovery in metal transformation activities.
Projects utilizing digital innovation such as artificial intelligence and quantum technologies to improve production processes.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 150,000

Development of 3D printing technology for custom metal components

$ 150,000

Automation of metal recycling processes using AI

$ 125,000

Development of eco-friendly metal transformation processes

$ 150,000

Use AI to optimize metal powder production

$ 150,000

Development of lightweight yet strong metal alloys

$ 150,000

Automation of metal cutting processes using AI technology

Eligibility criteria of the MTRIC — PARTENAR-IA — Industry program

The applicant must be a regular member of the Consortium de recherche et d’innovation en transformation métallique (CRITM).
The applicant should be a Quebec-based company, with a focus on SMEs or startups.
The project must involve a minimum of two enterprises, including at least one SME or startup.
The project must relate to the transformation of metals such as steel, aluminium, or identified critical and strategic minerals like nickel, titanium, magnesium, copper, zinc, or rare earth elements.
Eligible projects can include non-metallic substances essential to metallurgical processes or identified as critical and strategic minerals.
Canadian, foreign, or industrial association entities can participate as a third partner.

Who is eligible?

This grant targets enterprises within the metal transformation sector, including small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and startups. The eligible organizations must meet specific criteria, including being part of the metal extraction and transformation processes, and could also involve large enterprises as co-applicants provided certain conditions are met. Additionally, the participating enterprises need to contribute significantly to the project and be members in good standing of the CRITM. These entities must be legally constituted under federal or Quebec laws, have their headquarters in Quebec, employ a workforce primarily operating from Quebec, and ensure their expenses are incurred within Quebec.

Who is not eligible

Certain companies are restricted from applying for this grant based on their ownership or financial status. These restrictions ensure alignment with the program's strategic objectives.

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

Eligible expenses

The PARTENAR-IA grant covers specific expenses integral to the development and execution of research and innovation projects in the metallurgical sector.

Direct costs associated with personnel working specifically on the project.
Expenses for materials and supplies necessary for project development.
Purchase or leasing of equipment essential for project implementation.
Subcontracting costs that are directly relevant to the project execution.
Costs related to intellectual property management and legal advice on partnerships.

Eligible geographic areas

The province of Quebec, Canada

Eligibility criteria of the MTRIC — PARTENAR-IA — Industry program

Yes, there are evaluation and selection criteria for this grant.

Relevance to the research axes of the CRITM
Quality and feasibility of the proposed project
Contribution to innovation and competitiveness in the metal transformation sector
Criticality of the project for the sector and potential impact
Financial and organizational capacity of the applicants

How to apply to the MTRIC — PARTENAR-IA — Industry program

Of course! Please provide the French text you'd like me to translate.

Consult the Depositors' Guide for the PARTENAR-IA Enterprise program.
Be informed about the general objectives of the CRITM programs.

Sure! Please provide the French text you would like me to translate into English.

Check that the proposed project relates to one or more of the research axes of the CRITM.
Verify the eligibility of the company according to the defined criteria.

Of course! Please provide the French text you would like to translate.

Prepare the project's financial arrangement while adhering to the program standards.
Achieve the minimum required industrial contribution for the project in cash.

Of course! Please provide the French text you'd like translated into English, and I'll do my best to help you.

Check the program standards to ensure compliance with the financial and duration requirements of the project.
Ensure that all necessary documents and information are attached to the funding application.

Of course! Please provide the French text you would like me to translate into English.

Communicate with the specified contacts to obtain additional information or clarifications.
Finalize the funding request and submit it by the given deadlines.

Additional information

The CRITM does not claim any intellectual property rights for funded projects, but requires a partnership agreement to manage intellectual property and research results.
The CRITM provides non-repayable grants under this program.
Specific eligibility criteria for increased funding rates include involvement of a public research center or defined access to quantum computing platforms.
The PARTENAR-IA program supports the use of cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence and quantum computing to enhance industry capabilities.