MTRIC — PARTENAR-IA — Industry

• 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.

• 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

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

• 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.