PIIA Program - Part 2 : SMEs QC Canada

PIIA Program - Part 2 : SMEs

QC, Canada
The Programme d'Innovation en Intelligence Artificielle (PIIA) provides grants to Quebec companies for AI innovation projects.

grant_single_labels|summary

grant_single|eligibleFinancing
  • grant_single|maxCount
  • grant_single|projectCostPercent
grant_single|deadlines
  • grant_single|timelineUnspecified
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
  • Manufacturing
  • Information and cultural industries
  • Professional, scientific and technical services
  • Other services (except public administration)
grant_single|grantors
  • PROMPT
  • Ministère de l'économie, de l'innovation et de l'énergie du Québec (MEIE)
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|closed

grant_single_labels|preview

The Program d’innovation en Intelligence Artificielle (PIIA) is designed for all Quebec companies looking to undertake an innovation project for the development, commercialization, or adoption of AI technologies. The program offers financial support for projects that involve the development of new products, significant improvements to existing products, and projects that demonstrate technological and commercial potential in the AI sector. It aims to foster collaboration between companies and experts in the field, positioning Quebec as a leader in artificial intelligence. This component is aimed at SMEs with artificial intelligence projects for the production of goods and services, or for in-house research and development activities.

grant_single_labels|projects

Eligible projects:
  • the project must involve the development of a new product or process, or the significant improvement of an existing product or process;
  • the project must involve the necessary level of innovation, i.e.: the product or process must present a decisive advantage over existing solutions on the market in relation to the sector of activity at national or international level;
  • the project must involve a technological and/or business risk or uncertainty for the company;
  • the project must have required or will require research and development efforts;
  • when the product or process is intended for sale, the project must demonstrate commercial potential.
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample

$350,000

Ottawa
AI recommendation engine for personalized e-commerce experiences

$350,000

Calgary
AI-based agricultural monitoring system for crop health

$300,000

Vancouver
AI-enhanced customer service chatbot for telecommunications company

$350,000

Toronto
AI-powered healthcare diagnostic tool for early disease detection

$350,000

Quebec City
AI-based predictive maintenance system for manufacturing equipment

grant_single_labels|admissibility

Eligibility criteria for this grant are as follows:
  • Be a company legally incorporated under federal or Quebec law and registered with the Quebec Enterprise Registrar;
  • Have its head office in Québec and employees or subcontractors who work mainly in Québec;
  • Have 249 or fewer employees in Québec;
  • Have assets of less than $50 million.

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply

Companies eligible for this grant must be legally constituted under federal or Quebec laws and registered with the Registraire des entreprises du Québec. Projects must focus on developing a new product or process, improving an existing one, demonstrate technological or business risk, involve research and development efforts, and show commercial potential.
  • Legally constituted companies under federal or Quebec laws
  • Registered with the Registraire des entreprises du Québec
  • Focusing on new product/process development or improvement
  • Demonstrating technological or business risk
  • Involving research and development efforts
  • Showcasing commercial potential

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply

There are certain types of companies that are not eligible for this grant. The following companies are not eligible:
  • Companies not legally incorporated under federal or Quebec law
  • Companies not registered with the Registraire des entreprises du Québec
  • Organizations not based in Quebec
  • Companies with more than 249 employees in Quebec

grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses

Eligible expenses for this grant include:
  • Costs related to the development of a new product or process
  • Expenses for significant improvement of an existing product or process
  • Technological and business risk or uncertainty costs
  • Research and development efforts
  • Expenses required for projects with commercial potential

grant_single_labels|criteria


Selection criteria for the Program in Artificial Intelligence Innovation include the following:
  • Relevance of the project to the development, marketing, or adoption of AI technologies.
  • Demonstration of collaboration with other companies and leveraging expertise in AI.
  • Potential contribution to positioning Quebec as a leader in artificial intelligence.
  • Legal constitution and registration status of the applying company according to federal or Quebec laws.
  • Innovation level and advantage over existing market solutions.
  • Technical and/or business risk or uncertainty in the project.
  • Evidence of research and development efforts.
  • Commercial potential of the product or process.

grant_single_labels|register

Step 1: Eligibility check
Check that your company meets the eligibility criteria established by the Artificial Intelligence Grant Program.
Step 2: Preparing your application
Gather all required documents, including information on the AI innovation project, company financial data, etc.
Step 3: Submitting your application
Submit your application in the manner specified by the grant program.

grant_single_labels|otherInfo

Terms and conditions
  • Maximum assistance equivalent to $350,000 per project;
  • Maximum financial assistance is 30% of total eligible expenses for a project carried out by an SME alone, and 50% of total eligible expenses for a project carried out by an SME in collaboration with a research center;
  • Cumulative government spending may total up to 50% of total eligible expenses for a project carried out by an SME alone, and 75% for projects carried out by an SME in collaboration with a research center.
  • The maximum project duration is 2 years.
Please note :
  • Management fees apply to the total value of the project;
  • Unsubsidized expenses may be eligible for tax credits, including the Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) tax credit, according to the current criteria of these programs.
Apply to this program