PRIMA — PARTENAR-IA — Academic

Who is eligible?

• Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) established in Quebec
• Startups legally constituted in Quebec
• Companies from any sector with an innovation project in artificial intelligence

Who is not eligible

• Companies or partners whose contribution comes from other MEI programs or whose industrial contribution has already been matched by the MEI for different projects.
• Companies that are not collaborating with a Quebec public research center and at least one Quebec SME or startup.
• Companies seeking funding for routine operating activities or unrelated research.
• Companies attempting to apply with expenses already incurred before submitting the funding application.
• Companies whose contribution consists of funding from the executing research center itself.

Eligible expenses

• Salaries, wages, and employee benefits directly related to the project.
• Travel and accommodation expenses as per Ministry guidelines.
• Required materials and supplies for the project.
• Purchase or rental of equipment (up to a maximum of 25% of total eligible expenses).
• Legal expenses related to intellectual property management.
• Consulting and professional fees needed for the project.
• Communication-related expenses associated with the project.
• Subcontracting costs for specific tasks or services.
• Project management fees when managed by a nonprofit organization.

Eligible geographic areas

• Quebec

• The project duration must not exceed 36 months from the date the research agreement is signed.
• Indirect research costs (FIR) for universities are set at a rate of 27% of the grant amount from the RSRI, applicable to direct costs such as salaries, materials, and equipment.
• RSRI management fees amount to 5% of the research budget, divided between the Ministry of Economy and Innovation (40%) and industrial partners (60%) according to their financial participation.
• Expenses incurred prior to the submission of a financial assistance application are not eligible for funding.