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 healt

Eligibility criteria

The eligibility criteria for this grant are as follows: 1. Minimum partnership: Two companies (including at least one Quebec SME) with the collaboration of a research center. 2. Research center expenses must represent at least 20% of eligible project expenses. 3. The group of companies must share the costs, benefits, and intellectual property of the innovation project. 4. Each partner company must plan to hire one trainee per year (or the equivalent spread over the duration of the project). 5. Maximum duration: 24 months (2 years). For further details, please refer to the specific guidelines of the grant program.

Who is eligible

- Companies must be Quebec SMEs - Companies legally incorporated under federal or Quebec law - Companies registered with the Quebec Enterprise Registrar - Companies headquartered in Quebec - Companies with 250 or fewer employees in Quebec - Companies with assets, including associated companies, less than $50 million in the previous taxation year

Who is not eligible

Companies that are not eligible for this grant are: - Companies controlled directly or indirectly by a government (provincial or federal) or municipal entity - Companies majority-owned by a Crown corporation - Companies under the protection of the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act or the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act - Companies registered with the Registre des entreprises non admissibles aux contrats publics (RENA) - Companies that, during the two years preceding the year of the application for financial assistance, have failed to meet their obligations after having been duly put on formal notice in connection with the awarding of previous financial assistance from the Ministère or Investissement Québec under the Economic Development Fund or Investissement Québec’s own funds - Companies whose ethical conduct is likely to tarnish, even by association, the Québec government’s image of integrity and probity - Companies that may be ineligible under the Ministère’s responsible financing policy - Holding companies

Eligible expenses

Eligible expenses for this grant include: - Research center expenses representing at least 20% of eligible project expenses - Direct labor costs (hourly rate * number of hours) - Equipment costs - Project-related expenses These are some of the eligible expenses for the grant.

Eligible projects & activities

Here are the eligible projects or activities for the grant: - Collaborative research projects in artificial intelligence (AI) involving SMEs or start-ups working with a public research center. - Adoption of AI to improve business competitiveness, especially in sectors where AI is not widely used. - Structuring projects aimed at the mass adoption of AI in one or more sectors of the economy. - Innovation efforts in the field of AI. - Projects contributing to the wider adoption of AI by the user company. If you have further questions or need more details, please feel free to ask.

Evaluation & selection criteria

- Project objectives, quality, and relevance - Innovative nature of the project - Commercialization potential - Level of commitment from financial partners or stakeholder community - The ability of the team and the company or organization to bring the project to fruition - Number and suitability of implementing partners - Contribution to the development of the next generation - Intellectual property protection strategy - Benefits for Quebec (economic and social spin-offs, knowledge consolidation, etc.) - The project’s contribution to wider adoption of AI by the user company

How to apply

To apply for the grant for consortia innovation projects in artificial intelligence launched as part of the IMPACT program in Quebec, you need to follow these steps: 1. Meet the eligibility criteria, including having at least two companies (one being a Quebec SME) and a research center in the partnership. 2. Collaborate with your partners to plan the project, ensuring that research center expenses represent at least 20% of eligible project expenses. 3. Prepare all necessary documentation in French, including a budget breakdown, CVs of project team members, and other required documents. 4. Contact MEDTEQ+ at projet@medteq.ca to access support and obtain the documentation needed for the application. 5. Submit your application, ensuring compliance with all requirements and guidelines. 6. Await evaluation by the MEDTEQ+ Scientific Committee, approval by the Board of Directors, financial and economic analysis by Investissement Québec, and potential approval by other programs. 7. If approved, proceed with the financing agreement, sponsor's contract, and other necessary formalities.

Additional information

- Applicants should ensure they meet all eligibility criteria outlined in the call for proposals. - The application must be submitted in French and include all required documentation. - Companies must plan to hire at least one trainee per year as part of the project. - Project funding details include a maximum financial assistance of $350,000 per partner company, up to $1,500,000 per project. - All project participants must be members of the consortium in good standing throughout the project duration. - The approval process involves sectoral and technical-scientific evaluation, approval by the Board of Directors, financial analysis by Investissement Québec, and potentially approval by other programs. - Evaluation criteria include project objectives, innovation, commercialization potential, commitment from partners, team capability, intellectual property strategy, and benefits for Quebec. - Applicants can contact MEDTEQ+ for support and guidance in preparing their application.

Documents and links