How much funding can be received?

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.

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The eligible geographical area for companies applying for this grant is Quebec, Canada. Companies must have their headquarters in Quebec and comply with specific local requirements to qualify.

Companies with their headquarters in Quebec, Canada.

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$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-based agricultural management system with University of Guelph and two agri-tech startups

$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

$175,000

AI-driven retail optimization with University of Ottawa and local e-commerce SMEs

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To be eligible for this grant, companies must comply with specific legal, operational, and collaborative criteria.

The company must be legally constituted under federal or Quebec laws and registered with the Quebec Enterprise Registrar.
It must have its head office in Quebec and ensure that its employees or subcontractors work primarily from Quebec.
The company must have 249 employees or less.
It must not be owned 50% or more by other companies.
The projects must involve collaboration between a minimum of two and a maximum of four Quebec-based SMEs or startups.
Each project must include the hiring of at least one intern per year per participating company.
A minimum of 20% of eligible project expenses must come from a public research center's service offering and/or the hiring of an intern tied to such a center.
Each partner company must demonstrate a concrete contribution to resolving technological uncertainty.
Each partner company must also demonstrate tangible outcomes by the end of the project.

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The "PARTENAR-IA Innovation in Artificial Intelligence" grant is specifically targeted at consortia of Quebec-based enterprises that engage in collaborative research projects in artificial intelligence. These consortia must include multiple Quebec SMEs, startups, or large enterprises, working together with a public research center. Eligibility criteria entail legal registration in Quebec, business operations primarily based in Quebec, and specific employee or ownership stipulations for qualifying companies.

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This grant supports collaborative research and innovation in artificial intelligence among Canadian businesses, particularly SMEs and startups. Projects eligible for this grant focus on joint ventures with research centers and require contributions to technological problem-solving and concrete outcomes.

Collaborative research projects involving a minimum of two and a maximum of four Quebec-based SMEs or startups.
Projects that employ at least one intern per year from a collaborating public research center per eligible partner.
Research initiatives where at least 20% of admissible expenses come from public research center services or intern employment.
Projects where each partner provides tangible technology-related problem-solving.
Initiatives that demonstrate tangible outcomes or benefits upon project completion.

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The eligible expenses for the PARTENAR-IA grant are those that contribute directly to collaborative AI research projects, particularly involving Quebec enterprises and research centers.

Costs stemming from the engagement of a public research center.
Salaries for trainees associated with a public research center.

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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.

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Here are the steps to submit an application for this grant:

Step 1: Contact a Counselor
- Reach out to a designated advisor from the PROMPT team.
- Use the contact resources provided to schedule a consultation.
Step 2: Explore Eligibility and Gather Information
- Review the eligibility criteria to ensure your project qualifies.
- Gather necessary documents and information on your project’s requirements, including collaboration details with other companies and research centers.
Step 3: Prepare Application Materials
- Draft a comprehensive project proposal outlining objectives, collaboration framework, and expected outcomes.
- Include detailed budgets and timelines for the project's completion.
- Ensure that your project involves the required collaboration with at least one public research center.
Step 4: Submit Your Application
- Complete and submit your application form as per the guidelines provided by the advisors or the funding body.
- Ensure submission before any specified deadlines.
Step 5: Await Confirmation and Future Steps
- After submission, await confirmation of receipt and further instructions from the funding body.
- Follow any additional guidance or requests for supplementary information.

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Here are additional relevant details for this grant:

The grant is subject to a management fee of 5% on eligible expenses.
Non-subsidized expenses may qualify for tax credits, such as the Scientific Research & Experimental Development (SR&ED) tax credit.
The total government funding, including this grant, can cover up to 75% of eligible project expenses.
Minimum 25% of project expenses must come from private contributions.
The maximum duration for funded projects is two years.

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PARTENAR-IA — PROMPT — Industry

Apply to this program

Unlocking Innovation in Artificial Intelligence for Quebec Businesses

The PARTENAR-IA grant program offers financial support to Quebec-based businesses collaborating on innovative artificial intelligence (AI) projects. It is focused on fostering research partnerships between local enterprises and public research centers to advance technological development and bolster this strategic industry sector.

Details on the PARTENAR-IA Grant Program and Its Strategic Benefits

The PARTENAR-IA grant program is a significant initiative aimed at propelling Quebec to the forefront of the global AI industry by fostering collaborative research endeavors among local businesses. This program specifically targets groups of Quebec SMEs, startups, and large enterprises motivated to engage in pioneering AI research projects in partnership with public research centers. The strategic intent of the program is to leverage collective expertise, stimulate technological advancement, and drive the growth of AI capabilities within the region.

Eligible projects must focus on collaborative research initiatives that internalize AI to solve complex problems, enhance operational capabilities, or create novel products or services. The program is structured to not only provide substantial financial support but also encourage the partnership of industry players and public research institutions, thus enhancing the exchange of knowledge and resources.

One of the cornerstone features of the PARTENAR-IA program is its robust financial framework, which promises up to $350,000 in funding assistance per eligible partner company, with a collective ceiling of $1.5 million per project. This funding mechanism supports up to 50% of eligible project expenditures, while allowing up to 75% of project costs to be covered by combined government finances, thus substantially reducing financial barriers for participants. Moreover, the stipulation that private contributions must account for at least 25% of eligible expenses further ensures that participating companies are invested in the successful outcome of their projects.

The program extends over a maximum duration of two years, offering a timeline conducive to thorough research and development activities. Throughout this period, the involved enterprises benefit from continuous guidance, enhancing their project management capabilities and setting them up for successful project completion. Furthermore, participating companies gain access to Quebec’s leading AI experts, fostering an environment of innovation and cutting-edge developments.

Given the rapid pace of innovation in AI, the flexibility of the PARTENAR-IA's financial structure allows companies to adapt their projects as needed, ensuring that they remain relevant and capable of addressing evolving market demands. This adaptability is crucial in maintaining competitive edges and delivering impactful outcomes.

This program not only elevates the technological and economic positioning of Quebec within the AI sector but also demonstrates the provincial commitment to sustainable innovation by ensuring thorough evaluation processes and requiring demonstrable impacts from each initiative. The strategic alignment of project proposals with Quebec’s overarching industrial goals is integral to securing funding, thus ensuring that the program resources are used efficiently to derive maximum benefit for the economy and society.

Through the PARTENAR-IA grant, Quebec businesses are equipped not only to push their technological boundaries but also to consolidate their role as integral performance engines within the AI landscape, thereby contributing to localized and broad economic growth. The grant program’s impact is substantial, reinforcing Quebec’s status as a hallmark province for innovation and technological excellence.