MT Lab - Project funding - Component 1: Strategic support
Montréal, QC, Canada
The 2024-25 Project Funding Program offers up to 75% financial support for innovative tourism projects in Québec to boost productivity, competitiveness, and sustainable practices.
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grant_single|eligibleFinancing
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- grant_single|projectCostPercent
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- grant_single|timelineUnspecified
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Accommodation and food services
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- MT Lab
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grant_card_status|open
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The Project Funding Program supports innovative tourism-related projects by offering financial assistance to Quebec-based businesses and organizations. Eligible activities include strategic project development and implementation, with up to 75% of project costs.
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Eligible projects under the grant include innovative integrations in the tourism industry that provide economic, societal, or environmental value.
Examples include:
- Developing a platform for business management and information system optimization
- Implementing augmented reality signage
- Creating a specialized online management and sales platform
- Developing a sorting and recycling station for deposits
- Digitally preserving museum exhibits using 3D scanning technology
- Developing a geolocation platform for sporting events
- Robotizing massage services in the spa industry
- Digitalizing tourist recommendations
- Developing a customizable intelligent conversational agent
- Developing an experiential offering in bathrooms
- Implementing a digital tourist information kiosk with remote agent communication
- Robotizing meal delivery services in the restaurant industry
- Setting up a surveillance system for nautical vessel breakdowns
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$11,250
Montreal
Developing an immersive virtual reality tour for the Old Port of Montreal.
$12,000
Granby
Implementing a digital ticketing system for the Granby Zoo.
$10,875
Trois-Rivières
Developing a mobile app for historical tours in Trois-Rivières.
$10,500
Quebec City
Creating a farm-to-table culinary experience in Quebec City streets.
$9,750
Gatineau
Launching a new eco-friendly hiking trail in Gatineau.
$9,000
Toronto
Introducing a guided indigenous art tour in Toronto.
grant_single_labels|admissibility
The eligibility criteria for the grant require the applicant to be a Quebec-based tourism company or organization operating for over a year, with a French website, among other conditions. Certain entities such as government organizations are excluded from applying.
- The applicant must be a Quebec-based tourism company or organization or an innovative Quebec tourism company.
- The applicant must be the beneficiary of the submitted project.
- The applicant must have been in operation for more than a year.
- The applicant must have a Quebec Business Number (NEQ).
- The applicant must have a website available in French.
- An applicant cannot receive funding for a similar project from another MT Lab-supported program in the same year.
- A project developed under the strategic support component can be submitted for project funding in the same year.
- Project submission directives, including attached documents, must be respected.
- Companies with conflicts or appearances of conflict of interest with MT Lab employees or board members are excluded.
- Excluded as applicants: Crown corporations, ministries, and government organizations of Quebec or Canada.
- The applicant must be able to finance the 25% not covered by MT Lab for strategic support and project funding components.
- The applicant can choose an expert from MT Lab's pool or another expert of their choice for strategic support.
- The project must be completed within 9 months after the official selection announcement for the project funding component.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
The grant is specifically aimed at supporting companies within the Quebec tourism industry or innovative Quebec-based tourism companies. Eligible applicants must be enterprises or organizations actively operating in the tourism sector with a valid Quebec registration number and a French-language accessible website.
- Enterprises or organizations in the Quebec tourism industry
- Innovative Quebec-based tourism companies
- Companies operating for more than one year
- Organizations with a Quebec registration number (NEQ)
- Organizations with a primary website accessible in French
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
Yes, there are eligible expenses for this grant program. Below is a summary followed by a list of eligible expenses:
- Strategic project development fees for service firms
- Accompanying strategic project implementation expenses
- Project implementation costs
- Service consultation fees
- Documentation and deliverables by service providers
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
The eligible geographic zones for this grant are restricted to Quebec, Canada. Companies or organizations must be registered in Quebec and have a Quebec enterprise number (NEQ).
- Must be registered in Quebec.
- Must have a Quebec enterprise number (NEQ).
grant_single_labels|criteria
Yes, there are evaluation and selection criteria for this grant. The selection process prioritizes projects that align with specific thematic priorities and demonstrates innovation, significant impact, and consideration for sustainability.
- Response to thematic priorities:
- Improve productivity, competitiveness, or efficiency
- Mitigate workforce shortages
- Reduce the environmental footprint of tourism activities
- Digital transformation
- Address sustainable and responsible tourism challenges
- Level of risk involved in project implementation
- Innovation in processes, methods, products, or services
- Potential impact on the tourism sector or region
- Potential for increased productivity in the applicant's organization
- Consideration of responsible and sustainable tourism principles:
- Reducing environmental impact
- Supporting the transition to a circular economy
- Encouraging sustainable transportation options
- Developing nature and adventure tourism through ecotourism
- Promoting tourism that benefits individuals and respects communities
- Helping businesses adapt and innovate in response to climate changes
grant_single_labels|register
- Step 1: Complete the applicant form for the relevant volet (accompaniment or project financing).
- Step 2: Provide a presentation document (max 7 pages for accompaniment, max 9 pages for project financing):
- Presentation of your company/organization
- Presentation of the problem your project addresses
- If possible, description of the project you wish to develop
- Objectives of the project
- Description of the innovative nature of the project
- Description of the risk level for the applicant
- Description of the project's potential for mutualization in the Quebec tourism industry
- Timeline for strategic thinking stages (for accompaniment) or project realization with mid-project and end-of-project milestones (for project financing)
- Presentation of the advisory service provider and quote from the service provider
- Step 3: Provide a letter of engagement from the company's management or board of directors guaranteeing budget availability and internal project responsibility (1 page).
- Step 4: Provide a declaration of non-conflict of interest with selected provider, MT Lab team members, and MT Lab board members (1 page).
- Step 5: Submit the completed form and accompanying documents through the designated submission portal by the relevant deadline date for the corresponding review period.
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
The grant aims to support innovative tourism projects by offering financial assistance through both strategic support and project financing, with specific eligibility criteria and selection processes.
- Companies can receive up to 75% of the total project cost.
- Support amounts range from $5,000 to $90,000 for individual projects and up to $200,000 for collective projects.
- The initiative encourages collaborative projects to maximize impact.
- Applications will be reviewed by an independent jury of multi-sectoral experts.
- No feedback will be provided on the application's quality.
- Companies can apply for multiple projects but can only be selected once.
grant_single_labels|contact
clement@mtlab.ca
514-876-5284
Apply to this program
Tourism Industry Innovation Project Grant Program 2024-2025
The Tourism Innovation Project Grant Program, overseen by the MT Lab with financial support from the Ministry of Tourism, offers substantial financial aid to Quebec-based tourism enterprises to develop innovative projects that enhance economic, societal, and environmental values.
The program provides assistance through two main components: strategic project development support with up to $12,000 in consultancy fees, and direct project funding covering 75% of project costs, reaching up to $90,000 for individual projects and $200,000 for collaborative initiatives.
Comprehensive Guide to the Tourism Industry Innovation Project Grant Program 2024-2025
The Tourism Industry Innovation Project Grant Program is back for the 2024-2025 period, aiming to stimulate innovation within Quebec's tourism sector. This funding initiative, managed by the MT Lab and supported by the Ministry of Tourism, is designed to provide financial aid and expert support to businesses and organizations dedicated to tourism in Quebec. The goal is to enable these entities to create innovative projects that can significantly improve their operations and impact the market economically, socially, and environmentally.
Below is an exhaustive guide outlining the details of the grant program, eligibility criteria, funding limits, application process, and key dates.
Funding Components
The Tourism Industry Innovation Project Grant Program offers support through two main components:
- Strategic Project Development Support (Component 1): This aspect of the program covers up to 75% of consultancy fees required for strategic project development. The aid ranges from $5,000 to $12,000, based on the project scope and requirements. Organizations can seek guidance from experts listed in the MT Lab’s bank of experts or choose a consultant of their preference.
- Direct Project Funding (Component 2): This component finances 75% of the total project cost, with a maximum of $90,000 for individual projects and up to $200,000 for collaborative projects involving multiple tourism stakeholders.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for this grant, applicants must meet the following conditions:
- The applicant should be a tourism-related enterprise or organization based in Quebec, operational for at least one year.
- Applicants must have a Quebec business registration number (NEQ) and a French-language website.
- Eligible entities include enterprises engaged in accommodation, dining, leisure, entertainment, transport, and travel services.
- Applicants should be the direct beneficiaries of the project. Collaborative projects should specify a lead applicant organization.
- Startups are eligible if they aim to implement innovative projects within their organization and have been operational for over one year.
- Startup service providers must have tourism organizations submit the application on their behalf, ensuring the tourism entity is the primary beneficiary.
- Applicants should not have a conflict of interest with MT Lab employees or board members.
- Government bodies, including state-owned enterprises, ministries, and government agencies, are ineligible.
- Projects seeking funding should be new or include significant innovations compared to previous efforts.
Project Criteria
Projects submitted for the grant should align with the following thematic priorities:
- Enhance productivity, competitiveness, or efficiency within the tourism sector.
- Address labor shortages in the tourism industry.
- Reduce the environmental impact of tourism activities.
- Promote digital transformation within tourism enterprises.
- Support responsible and sustainable tourism practices.
Funding Parameters
Specific conditions apply to each component:
- Strategic Project Development Support:
- Projects must be completed within six months of the official selection announcement.
- The applicant must be able to finance the remaining 25% of consultancy fees.
- Direct Project Funding:
- Projects must be completed within nine months of the official selection announcement.
- The applicant must be able to finance the remaining 25% of project costs.
Non-Eligible Expenses
Applicants should note that the following costs are not covered by the grant:
- Market or feasibility studies
- Financial incentives for visitors
- Communication, marketing, and promotional expenses (except for project promotion)
- Salaries, management, or internal administrative costs
- Subscriptions exceeding 12 months
- Insurance and delivery fees
- Costs exceeding the project budget, unless pre-approved by MT Lab
- Expenses incurred before the funding agreement is signed
Application Process
The application process varies slightly between the two components:
- Strategic Project Development Support:
- Complete the applicant form, including a presentation document (up to 7 pages) detailing your enterprise, the project, its innovation level, risk assessment, and potential industry impact.
- Provide a letter of commitment from the enterprise’s management, ensuring budget availability and project management responsibilities.
- Submit a letter declaring no conflict of interest between the applicant, MT Lab, and the chosen consultant.
- Direct Project Funding:
- Complete the applicant form and submit a detailed presentation document (up to 9 pages) covering the enterprise, project description, innovation, risk, productivity potential, industry impact, provider details, and expected outcomes.
- Include commitment letters from the management and all stakeholders in collaborative projects, clarifying roles and responsibilities.
- Provide a letter declaring no conflict of interest between the applicant, MT Lab, and the chosen provider.
Selection Criteria
The selection process evaluates projects based on:
- Alignment with thematic priorities, including productivity, labor issues, environmental impact, digital transformation, and sustainable tourism.
- Risk level for the applicant
- Innovative processes, procedures, products, or services
- Potential outcomes for the sector or region
- Productivity improvement potential
- Consideration of responsible and sustainable tourism principles
Important Dates
Mark these key dates in your calendar:
- June 25, 2024: Project submission opens
- July 11, 2024: Virtual information session
- August 26, 2024: First project submission deadline
- September 25, 2024: Second project submission deadline
- November 23, 2024: Third project submission deadline
- November 2024: Announcement of winners from the first deadline
- December 2024: Announcement of winners from the second deadline
- March 2025: Announcement of winners from the third deadline
This grant program is a unique opportunity for Quebec's tourism enterprises to innovate and enhance their operations, contributing positively to the industry and the province's economy.