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 deadline to apply is not specified.

Programme d’appui au développement des secteurs stratégiques et des créneaux d’excellence (PADS)

Q: What are Programme d’appui au développement des secteurs stratégiques et des créneaux d’excellence (PADS)'s eligibility criterias?

The project must involve a minimum of three entities. The project must be in alignment with the strategic orientations of the Créneau d’excellence for civil and commercial drones. The applicant must be a legally constituted for-profit or non-profit organization, a CÉGEP, a college technology transfer center, or a municipal authority located in Quebec.

grant_single|update May 13, 2025

QC, Canada

Non-repayable financial support for strategic sector development

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Grant and Funding

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Manufacturing

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UAS Centre of Excellence

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The PADS program offers non-repayable funding up to $500,000 annually or $1,500,000 over three years to support strategic sectors and governmental economic priorities. Eligible activities include conducting studies, organizing mobilization events, and developing promotional strategies to strengthen industrial competitiveness.

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The PADS program provides structured financial support that aims to enhance collaborative projects through a non-repayable contribution approach. The financing modalities are designed to ensure that both named and practical support is effectively leveraged for strategic sectoral advancement.

The financial assistance is provided in the form of a non-refundable subsidy up to 50% of eligible expenses, reducing to 40% when the project promoter is a business entity.
Annual maximum financial aid is capped at $500,000, with a total project ceiling of $1,500,000 over a three-year span.
Government aid cumulation cannot exceed 70% for organizations and 50% for businesses.
The project must include a minimum financial participation from private companies, representing 30% in cash and 30% in-kind contributions.
Eligible expenses cover professional fees, material and communication costs, travel and accommodation per Quebec's government standards, and a capped percentage of project management salaries and administrative follow-up costs.
Funding is not available for expenses incurred prior to application submission, capital expenditures, operating costs, debt repayment, or sales taxes.

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The Programme d’appui au développement des secteurs stratégiques et des créneaux d’excellence (PADS) supports projects that enhance key sectors' development through strategic studies, mobilization activities, and promotion. These initiatives aim to improve competitiveness and foster collaboration among businesses.

Conducting studies on technological, commercial, or competitive positioning of sectors.
Organizing forums, conferences, and recognition activities.
Developing informational and management materials or tools.
Creating training content.
Establishing and managing business networks.
Preparing and implementing brand strategies for sectors.
Conducting promotional activities in Quebec, including organizing trade shows or buyer-supplier events.
Executing research projects for a group of companies within the same or associated sectors.

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$ 800,000

Developing a cooperative drone training program for industry staff

$ 500,000

Conducting a study on the commercial use of drones

$ 600,000

Organizing a drone innovation conference to foster collaboration

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Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific requirements related to the applicant's profile and proposed activities.

The applicant must be a legally constituted for-profit company conducting activities in Quebec.
The project must involve a minimum of three entities and have clear benefits for all partners involved.
The project must align with the strategic orientations of the Civil and Commercial Drones Niche of Excellence.
The project must address an issue related to the strategic orientations of the niche and demonstrate economically relevant outcomes for the industry.
The project must benefit the development of several companies and promote alliances, partnerships, networks, and cooperation among businesses, economic development organizations, research institutions, and educational institutions.

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Eligible candidates who can apply for this grant are entities from a diverse range of sectors. Specifically, the following groups can submit proposals:- Legally constituted not-for-profit organizations and cooperatives- CÉGEPS, college technology transfer centers, and Quebec universities- Legally constituted profit-oriented businesses operating in Quebec- Municipalities, cities, and regional county municipalities (MRC)Applications must involve at least three entities collaborating on a project that aligns with strategic orientations and demonstrates clear benefits to all partners.

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The grant covers specific expenses directly related to the implementation and success of the project.

Professional fees.
Material and communication costs.
Travel and accommodation expenses, in accordance with the current government standards outlined in the Quebec Government's Management Policy Manual.
A portion of the project manager's salary and administrative costs associated with project management, under certain conditions.
Rental costs for spaces or premises other than those of the organization's place of business.
Project coordination costs, including management fees, which cannot exceed 5% of the project's eligible expenses.

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This grant is applicable to companies operating within specific regions of Quebec, Canada, aligning with regional economic development strategies.

Enterprises legally constituted and operating in Quebec.

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The evaluation and selection of projects for the PADS grant are based on specific criteria to ensure alignment with the program’s objectives and the strategic priorities of the Ministry.

Alignment with the Ministry's intervention areas and priorities.
Relation to the intervention axes of the niche.
Multiplier effect for attracting further investments.
Quality of the project, including credibility, visibility, and impacts.
Added value of the project.
Synergy between partners.
Structuring nature of the project on the targeted businesses.
Realism of the timeline.
Realism of the project costs.
Funding structure and support from partners.
Market strategy.

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Project Identification

Ensure that the project addresses the issues and strategic directions of the targeted niche.
Verify that the project demonstrates relevant economic benefits for the industry.

Gather the partners

Gather a minimum of three entities collaborating on the project.
Identify businesses, economic development organizations, educational institutions, and other relevant partners.

Preparation of the application file

Write a project proposal detailing the objectives, expected outcomes, and coordination with partners.
Include the project budget and the distribution of financial and in-kind contributions among partners.
Prepare the required documents such as positioning studies or strategic plans.
Present the evaluations of credibility and synergy among partners.

Submission of the request

Contact the slot committee to obtain a recommendation.
Send the funding request including all necessary documents and supporting materials to the address or contact provided by the program.
Ensure that the application is sent before the specified deadline.

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Here are additional relevant details for this grant:

The Programme d’appui au développement des secteurs stratégiques et des créneaux d’excellence (PADS) program targets organizations that contribute to strategic sector growth through eligible projects that align with governmental and Niche priorities.
Project alignment with the Ministry's focus areas and priorities.
Alignment with the Niche's focus areas.
Multiplier effect potential for other investments.
Quality of the project, including credibility, visibility, and anticipated impacts.
Added value and synergies between project partners.
Structural importance of the project for targeted companies.
Realistic timeline for project completion.
Realistic assessment of project costs.
Strong funding structure and partnership support.
Effective marketing strategy.
Expected results contributing to program objectives such as job creation, business development, niche presence strengthening, and export opportunities.