How much funding can be received?

The Program to Support the Fight Against Climate Change in the Bio-Food Sector – Component A offers up to $330,000 to support the development and delivery of training for professionals in Quebec's bio-food industry. The initiative aims to enhance knowledge and skills on climate change issues through free educational activities, including designing, adapting, and disseminating training content.

Financing terms and conditions

Non-repayable grant covering up to 50% of eligible expenses for private organizations, 70% for other eligible applicants, and 80% for those operating in the Îles-de-la-Madeleine.
Minimum eligible project expenses of $57,142 and minimum grant funding of $40,000.
Maximum funding per project: $150,000 (adaptation of existing training) or $300,000 (creation of new training) for most applicants; $191,000 (adaptation) or $330,000 (creation) for universities.
Eligible expenses must be incurred after formal confirmation of the grant and within a maximum three-year project period.
Total public funding combined for a project must not exceed 60% of eligible expenses for private organizations, 80% for other eligible applicants, and 90% for projects in the Îles-de-la-Madeleine.

Eligible projects & activities

Designing and delivering training programs for professionals in the bio-food sector on climate change issues.
Adapting existing educational content to address current and emerging climate-related challenges in agriculture, food processing, fisheries, and aquaculture.
Developing new learning materials to enhance the skills of sector professionals and stakeholders on the impacts and management of climate change.
Providing free access to training, online modules, workshops, or seminars focused on climate change adaptation and mitigation.
Prioritizing and addressing general or regional training needs identified through consultation with sector actors.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 80,000

Installing solar panels on cooperative farm’s main processing barn

$ 47,500

Developing community kitchen for food insecurity in urban neighborhood

$ 27,000

Implementing new digital marketing campaign for artisanal clothing shop

$ 30,500

Launching new online ticketing and donation platform for a museum

$ 49,500

Upgrading warehouse lighting to energy-efficient LED for logistics

$ 24,500

Retrofitting bakery kitchen with fully accessible counters and equipment

Eligibility criteria of the Program to support the fight against climate change in the bio-food sector – Component A program

The applicant must reside or operate in Quebec.
The applicant must have a mandate for training, knowledge transfer, or information dissemination in the bio-food sector.
The applicant must be a non-profit organization, a technology transfer establishment, an information dissemination center, an educational institution, or a private organization.
The project must offer training targeting professionals or other stakeholders in the bio-food sector, focusing on climate change issues, and aim to improve competencies and knowledge.

Who is eligible?

Non-profit organizations active in the bio-food sector
Technology transfer establishments in the bio-food sector
Information dissemination centers in the bio-food sector
Educational institutions with training mandates in the bio-food sector
Private organizations operating in the bio-food sector

Who is not eligible

Companies or organizations listed in the Register of enterprises ineligible for public contracts (RENA).
Entities that have previously failed to meet requirements after receiving government financial support and have been formally notified within the past two years.
Organizations that are insolvent, bankrupt, under receivership or creditor protection.
Government ministries, budgetary bodies, Crown corporations, entities controlled directly or indirectly by any government, and municipal entities.
Financial cooperatives and banking institutions.

Eligible expenses

Fees for external expertise (professional and technical services directly related to the project).
Salaries for the applicant's personnel assigned to the project.
Travel and accommodation expenses compliant with Quebec government management policies.
Costs for designing educational content.
Expenses related to communications, advertising, and information dissemination (including rental of rooms, equipment, or logistics services).
For eligible applicants other than universities, administrative fees up to 15% of the sum of the above eligible expenses.
For universities, indirect research costs up to 27% of the total financial assistance granted (excluding the above administration fees).

Eligible geographic areas

Quebec

Eligibility criteria of the Program to support the fight against climate change in the bio-food sector – Component A program

Relevance of the project with respect to the objectives of the Program.
Quality of the approach or methodology.
Suitability of the experience and expertise of the project team to ensure project success.
Extent of the anticipated results and benefits (e.g., engagement of the bio-food sector, provincial reach, and greenhouse gas emissions reduction potential).
Relevance, feasibility, and realism of the project costs.
Quality of the plan for knowledge transfer and dissemination of results.

How to apply to the Program to support the fight against climate change in the bio-food sector – Component A program

Verify call for projects is open

Check that the project submission period is currently open
Note that no new applications will be accepted after October 30, 2024

Confirm eligibility for the program

Confirm that your organization meets all eligibility criteria (residency, mandate, and type of organization)
Ensure your project and expenditures meet admissibility requirements

Prepare application documents

Prepare all necessary supporting documents (project description, proof of eligibility, detailed budget, etc.)
Develop a clear training offer in line with prioritized needs
Ensure your budget meets minimum and maximum thresholds

Submit the application

Submit your full application as per Ministry requirements during the open call for projects
Include all required documents for evaluation

Await results from Ministry

Wait for the outcome of the evaluation by the selection committee
Monitor for any communication from the Ministry regarding your application

Additional information

At least one call for proposals will be published on the Ministry's website during the program's duration (2022-2025).
Applicants may appeal an evaluation decision within 20 business days of notification by submitting the designated revision request form.
Applicants are required to provide financial and activity reporting as outlined in the financial assistance agreement using specific templates provided by the program.
A list of funded projects is made available in PDF format for reference.