How much funding can be received?

Funds up to 50% 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 PROMPT — PARTENAR-IA?

PROMPT — PARTENAR-IA is funded by PROMPT

What are PROMPT — PARTENAR-IA's eligibility criterias?

Legally incorporated under Quebec or federal laws and registered with the Registraire des entreprises du Québec Head office in Quebec, with employees or subcontractors mainly working from Quebec 249 employees or fewer

PROMPT — PARTENAR-IA

Last Update: July 22, 2025

QC, Canada

Funding for Quebec innovative collaborations in AI for ICT

PROMPT — PARTENAR-IA at a glance

Eligible Funding

Max. $1,500,000
Up to 50% of project cost

Timeline

Open Date : August 13, 2023
Closing date : April 15, 2025

Financing Type

Partnering and Collaboration

Grant and Funding

Eligible Industries

Professional, scientific and technical services
Educational services
Health care and social assistance

Grant Providers

PROMPT

Status

Archived

Overview of the PROMPT — PARTENAR-IA program

Get a non-refundable grant up to $350,000 per partner company 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.

Financing terms and conditions

Maximum financial assistance of $350,000 per eligible partner company, up to $1.5 million per project (including management fees).
Funding covers up to 50% of eligible project expenses.
Total government contributions can reach up to 75% of a project's eligible expenses.
Private contributions must account for at least 25% of eligible expenses.
Project duration is limited to a maximum of 2 years.

Eligible projects & activities

Collaborative research projects in artificial intelligence between Quebec-based companies and a public research center.
Development of innovative AI-driven solutions through joint industrial research initiatives.
Projects aimed at advancing data valorization and AI implementation within organizations.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 175,000

AI-driven supply chain optimization involving two SMEs and Concordia University

$ 175,000

AI-based energy management in smart grids with Université de Sherbrooke and energy tech SMEs

$ 175,000

AI-enhanced healthcare diagnostics with McGill University and two tech startups

$ 175,000

Smart urban planning using AI technology in collaboration with Laval University and local SMEs

Eligibility criteria of the PROMPT — PARTENAR-IA program

The applicant must be a Quebec-based SME or startup, legally incorporated under federal or Quebec law and registered with the Registraire des entreprises du Québec.
The head office, employees, or subcontractors must be primarily located in Quebec.
The company must have 249 employees or fewer and not be owned 50% or more by another company.
The project must involve collaborative research in artificial intelligence, carried out by a consortium of at least two Quebec-based SMEs or startups and up to four companies, in partnership with a public research center.
Each eligible partner company must commit to hiring at least one intern per year and demonstrate its concrete contribution to resolving technological uncertainties as well as specific project outcomes.

Who is eligible?

Quebec-based small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)
Startups established in Quebec
Large enterprises in Quebec (as part of consortiums)
Consortiums involving multiple Quebec companies
Companies collaborating with public research centers in Quebec

Who is not eligible

Companies with 250 employees or more.
Businesses not legally incorporated under federal or Quebec laws.
Companies whose head office, employees, or subcontractors do not primarily operate from Quebec.
Enterprises that are 50% or more owned by other companies.
Organizations that are not SMEs or startups, such as individual entrepreneurs or certain large enterprises not collaborating as part of a consortium.

Eligible expenses

Service offerings from a public research centre related to the project (minimum 20% of eligible expenses must come from these services and/or hiring of a related intern).
Salaries or stipends for interns hired and associated with a public research centre.
Other project-related expenses that may be eligible for R&D tax credits (e.g., SR&ED), depending on the project's alignment with those programs.

Eligible geographic areas

Companies headquartered in Quebec.

Eligibility criteria of the PROMPT — PARTENAR-IA program

The grant program has specific evaluation and selection criteria for applicants:

Companies must be legally constituted and registered in Quebec, have their headquarters in Quebec, and their employees or subcontractors must mainly work from Quebec.
Projects must involve a minimum of two Quebec companies and a maximum of four companies, with the project aiming to hire at least one intern per year for each partner company, among other requirements.

How to apply to the PROMPT — PARTENAR-IA program

Initial contact

Contact a counselor from the PARTENAR-IA program.
Fill out the contact form so that the PROMPT team can reach you quickly.

Preparation of the file

Develop a project proposal that meets the program's requirements in terms of collaboration and innovation in artificial intelligence.
Include the expected contributions of each partner and the role of the public research center.
Document the financial aspects, including the overall budget and expected private contributions.

Submission of the request

Submit the complete file according to the guidelines received during the initial contact.
Ensure that the application includes all required elements and meets the criteria outlined by the program.

Follow-up

Receive a response from the funding organization regarding the status of your application.
Provide additional information if necessary, according to the agency's instructions.

Additional information

The continuation of the program is subject to renewal, and its future availability is not yet confirmed.
Management fees of 5% apply to the total eligible project expenses.
Unsubsidized expenses might be eligible for the federal SR&ED (Scientific Research and Experimental Development) tax credit, depending on the criteria of that program.
Continuous support and guidance are provided up to the final project submission to optimize the likelihood of approval.