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

Who is eligible?

• Legally constituted non-profit organizations (NPOs) and cooperatives
• CÉGEPs, college technology transfer centers, and universities in Quebec
• Legally constituted for-profit companies operating in Quebec
• Municipalities, cities, and regional county municipalities (MRCs)

Who is not eligible

• Companies or organizations seeking funding for projects already covered by other programs from the Ministry of Economy and Innovation (MEI) or other ministries or organizations, particularly those focused on research and development.
• Entities looking to cover expenses incurred before submitting their application.
• Applicants intending to use the grant for capital expenditures, amortization, sponsorships, operating expenses, loan repayments, capital losses or replacements, or sales taxes.

Eligible expenses

• Professional fees related to project implementation.
• Material and communication costs directly connected to the project.
• Travel and accommodation expenses, in accordance with government standards.
• A portion of the project manager's salary dedicated to the project.
• Administrative follow-up and project management costs (up to 5% of eligible expenses).
• Space or venue rental costs for project-related activities (not including the regular business location).

Eligible geographic areas

• Quebec

• Alignment of the project with the intervention areas and priorities of the Ministry and the specific sector focus.
• Multiplier effect leading to further investments.
• Quality of the project, including credibility, visibility, and expected impact.
• Synergy and collaboration among partners involved in the project.
• Realism in the project timeline, cost estimates, and financing structure, with strong partner support.

• Step 1: Project Preparation
  • Develop a structuring project aligned with the strategic orientations of your sector and ensuring clear benefits for all partners involved.
  • Gather a minimum of three eligible entities interested in collaborating on the project.
  • Ensure that the project addresses a relevant issue within the Créneau d’excellence and includes economic benefits for the sector.
• Step 2: Internal Validation and Partner Engagement
  • Mobilize and formalize roles of partners including contributions (financial or in-kind), especially from private companies.
  • Ensure project alignment with the priorities of the Ministry of Economy, Science and Innovation and the Créneau d’excellence committee.
• Step 3: Draft Application Documents
  • Prepare a comprehensive application package including a project description, objectives, expected outcomes, budget, timelines, and detailed roles of partners.
  • Detail all eligible expenses and justify the structure of the financing plan.
• Step 4: Obtain Committee Recommendation
  • Submit the draft project to the Créneau d’excellence committee for review and receive a required formal recommendation.
• Step 5: Submit Full Application
  • Send the completed application package, including all required documentation and the committee recommendation, to the fund administrator.
  • Applications must be sent to the provided contact: info@cedalma.com or by contacting 418 669-5104.
• Step 6: Await Confirmation and Further Instructions
  • Wait for acknowledgment of receipt and potential follow-up from the funding body.
  • Be prepared to provide any additional information if requested during the evaluation process.

• For Research and Development projects, PADS funding is considered a last-resort program and cannot substitute for other available government research support.
• A recommendation from the niche committee is mandatory before a project can be funded through PADS.
• Applicants must ensure alignment of their project with the strategic orientations of the 'Créneau d’excellence' relevant to their sector.
• The portion allocated to project management and coordination is limited to a maximum of 5% of eligible expenses.