PARTENAR-IA — MEDTEQ+ — Industry
QC, Canada
Funding for Quebec innovative collaborations in AI for health technologies
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|maxCount
- grant_single|projectCostPercent
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|openingDateSeptember 14, 2023
- grant_single|closingDateOctober 13, 2023
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
- Manufacturing
- Health care and social assistance
grant_single|grantors
- Consortium de recherche et d’innovation en technologies médicales du Québec
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|closed
grant_single_labels|preview
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
grant_single_labels|projects
This grant targets companies headquartered and operating in a specific Canadian province to foster local innovation and competitiveness. The eligible geographical areas ensure projects align with regional economic objectives.
- Companies with their head office in the province of Québec.
- Firms operating primarily within the province of Québec.
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$150,000
AI-driven diagnostics to detect early-stage cancer in partnership with UBC
$150,000
AI-assisted drug discovery in collaboration with a university
$110,000
AI-enhanced supply chain optimization for sustainable agriculture
$125,000
Development of AI for predictive maintenance in manufacturing
$110,000
AI-enabled fraud detection system for credit unions
$135,000
AI-based personalized learning systems for elementary education
grant_single_labels|admissibility
Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific requirements related to the applicant's profile and project participation.
- The company must be legally incorporated under federal or Quebec law, and registered with the Quebec Enterprise Registrar.
- The company must have its head office in Québec, and its employees or subcontractors must work mainly in Québec.
- The company must have 250 or fewer employees in Québec.
- The company's assets, including those of associated companies, calculated on a worldwide basis, for the taxation year ending in the calendar year preceding the calendar year in question must be less than $50 million.
- The company must not be controlled directly or indirectly by a government (provincial or federal) or municipal entity.
- The company must not be majority-owned by a Crown corporation.
- The company must not be under the protection of the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act or the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act.
- The company must not be registered with the Registre des entreprises non admissibles aux contrats publics (RENA), nor should subcontractors expected to carry out work on the project be registered with RENA.
- The company must not have failed to meet its obligations connected to previous financial assistance from the Ministère or Investissement Québec during the two years preceding the application.
- The company must conduct itself ethically to maintain the Québec government’s image of integrity and probity.
- The company must not be a holding company.
- Minimum partnership must include two companies (including at least one Quebec SME) with the collaboration of a research center.
- Research center expenses must represent at least 20% of eligible project expenses.
- Partners in the project must share the costs, benefits, and intellectual property of the innovation project.
- Each partner company must plan to hire one trainee per year (or equivalent) spread over the duration of the project.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
The PARTENAR-IA call for consortia innovation projects in artificial intelligence is specifically aimed at consortia of companies and research centers, focusing on supporting collaborative research projects in Quebec.
- Minimum partnership must include at least two companies (including one Quebec SME) and collaboration with a research center.
- Research centers' expenses must account for at least 20% of eligible project expenses.
- Consortium partners must share costs, benefits, and intellectual property rights.
- Each partner company should plan to hire one trainee per year.
- Projects must be completed within a 24-month duration.
- Companies must be legally incorporated, have their head office in Quebec, and have fewer than 250 employees in Quebec.
- Assets must be under $50 million, globally calculated, for the preceding taxation year.
- Companies must not be controlled by government entities or majority-owned by Crown corporations, nor be under bankruptcy protection.
- Companies with unethical conduct, failures to meet previous obligations, or ineligible under certain policies will not be considered.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
This grant has specific exclusions based on company status and conduct to ensure alignment with its objectives. The restrictions help focus resources on companies that contribute positively to Quebec's economy and society.
- Companies controlled directly or indirectly by a government or municipal entity.
- Companies majority-owned by a Crown corporation.
- Businesses under 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 with a history of failing to meet previous financial assistance obligations in Quebec.
- Entities whose ethical conduct may negatively impact the Quebec government's image.
- Companies potentially ineligible under the responsible financing policy.
- Holding companies.
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
This grant supports collaborative industrial research projects in artificial intelligence with a focus on healthcare technologies. Eligible projects aim to improve business competitiveness and facilitate AI adoption through partnerships between companies and public research centers.
- Collaborative research projects in artificial intelligence involving SMEs or start-ups with a public research center.
- Projects aimed at developing and validating healthcare technologies using AI.
- Initiatives to improve business competitiveness through AI adoption.
- Projects fostering collaboration between various companies and research communities.
- Projects supporting mass adoption of AI in the primary and secondary sectors.
- Projects promoting Quebec as a leader in AI.
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
The grant covers specific expenses directly related to the implementation and success of collaborative AI projects.
- Research center expenses, which must be at least 20% of eligible project expenses.
- Direct labor costs, including salaries and benefits.
- Equipment costs essential to the project.
- Project-related expenses, including materials and supplies.
- Service provider fees outside of universities, college technology transfer centers, or public research centers.
- Program management fee by MEDTEQ+ as a sponsoring organization.
grant_single_labels|criteria
The evaluation and selection of projects for this grant are based on specific criteria that assess the quality, potential impact, and strategic alignment of the proposals.
- 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.
grant_single_labels|register
Here are the steps to submit an application for this grant:
- Step 1: Contact MEDTEQ+
- Reach out to MEDTEQ+ via email at projet@medteq.ca to initiate the application process.
- Request necessary documentation and support for your application.
- Step 2: Prepare Documentation
- Ensure all applications are prepared in French.
- Gather required documents such as the francization certificate, equal access program documentation, service offer details, CVs, and a detailed budget breakdown.
- Prepare any additional documentation required for project analysis.
- Step 3: Enroll in the Consortium
- Ensure all project participants are members of the consortium in good standing.
- Account for a 5% program management fee which is eligible for 50% support through the grant.
- Step 4: Submit Application
- Submit your application through the MEDTEQ+ portal or as directed by MEDTEQ+.
- Step 5: Evaluation and Approval Process
- Undergo sectoral and technical-scientific evaluation by the MEDTEQ+ Scientific Committee.
- Receive approval from the Board of Directors.
- Submit for financial and economic analysis by Investissement Québec.
- Fulfill approval requirements for any additional funding programs if applicable.
- Finalize a financing agreement with Investissement Québec.
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
Here are additional relevant details for this grant:
- Applications must be submitted in French and may require a francization certificate for certain companies.
- A program management fee of 5% will be applied by MEDTEQ+, which is part of the eligible expenses and covered at 50% by the Ministry's support.
- The MEDTEQ+ team provides support in preparing research proposals, and MEDTEQ+ acts as the sponsoring organization for SMEs involved in the project.
- It is mandatory to contact MEDTEQ+ during the application preparation stage to ensure all requirements are met.
Apply to this program
Innovate with Artificial Intelligence Through PARTENAR-IA
This grant call by PARTENAR-IA is aimed at fostering collaborative industrial research projects in artificial intelligence, particularly focusing on advancing healthcare technologies. Eligible participants are encouraged to form consortia with SMEs, research centers, and other industry partners to enhance AI adoption in Quebec, highlighting sectors previously untapped by AI advancements.
Detailed Insights into PARTENAR-IA and Its Strategic Importance
The PARTENAR-IA initiative, as part of the broader IMPACT program, is strategically designed to bolster Quebec’s leadership in artificial intelligence (AI) by channeling resources towards innovative industrial research collaborations. The grant emphasizes building consortia that unite companies of varying sizes, from startups to established enterprises, with research institutions to collaboratively drive AI technologies forward, especially within sectors like healthcare where AI is yet to reach its full potential. By creating these partnerships, the program aims to improve business competitiveness and support the mass integration of AI into traditional industries, effectively transforming these sectors with modern technology.
The financial structuring of the grant is compelling. With maximum assistance of $350,000 per partner company and a cumulative total of up to $1,500,000 per project, it significantly alleviates the financial burden of pioneering research initiatives. This funding is designed to cover a substantial portion—50%—of eligible project expenses, making it an attractive incentive for innovative endeavors. Furthermore, encouraged additional funding from other prominent programs such as NSERC or MITACS ensures that consortia can leverage multiple financial channels to achieve their project goals.
PARTENAR-IA aims not only to modernize sectors with AI but also to nurture Quebec’s economic landscape by encouraging intellectual property sharing and equitable benefit distribution among project partners. This focus is critical in fostering a sustainable, innovation-friendly ecosystem where knowledge is shared, and technological advancements are collaboratively propelled forward. This aspect of the program ensures that projects deliver tangible benefits, either in the form of economic gains or social advancements, further cementing Quebec's position on the global AI stage.
Evaluation criteria are stringent, ensuring that only the most promising projects receive support. Proposals are assessed based on their objectives, innovation level, commercialization potential, and the synergistic benefits they bring to Quebec. The criterion of including a plan to hire trainees further underlines the commitment to developing future talents and integrating them within the technological fabric of Quebec’s industries.
For companies, this means engaging with MEDTEQ+ for effective application management, an entity that aids in navigating the complex bureaucratic landscape of grant applications. The structured support and membership requirement underscore the necessity for comitaries to be actively involved and committed from proposal inception to completion. This integration not only strengthens the project but also aligns with the overarching goals of positioning Quebec as a powerhouse in AI innovation and industry transformation.
Ultimately, the PARTENAR-IA grant represents a strategic effort towards fostering a collaborative AI-driven future for Quebec. With a focus on industrial research and innovative partnerships, it is a call to action for companies ready to lead in technological transformation and societal advancement through artificial intelligence.