How much funding can be received?

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.

Financing terms and conditions

Coverage of up to 75% of the consulting fees for strategic support, with eligible expenses ranging from $5,000 to $12,000.
Beneficiaries are responsible for financing the remaining 25% of the consulting fees, up to $3,000.

Eligible projects & activities

Strategic development of innovative projects in the tourism sector.
Implementation of digital solutions or platforms to enhance operations or visitor experience.
Development of sustainable tourism initiatives that reduce environmental impact.
Creation of collaborative projects addressing labour shortages in tourism.
Projects that enable the adoption of responsible and sustainable tourism practices and foster sector-wide knowledge sharing.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 12,000

Implementing a digital ticketing system for the Granby Zoo

$ 10,500

Creating a farm-to-table culinary experience streets

$ 9,750

Launching a new eco-friendly hiking trail

$ 9,000

Introducing a guided indigenous art tour

$ 11,250

Developing an immersive virtual reality tour for the Old Port of Montreal

$ 10,875

Developing a mobile app for historical tours

Eligibility criteria of the MT Lab — Project funding — Component 1: Strategic support program

The applicant must be a Quebec-based tourism business or organization, registered in Quebec and operating in one of the five tourism sectors: restaurants, leisure and entertainment, accommodation, passenger transport, or travel services.
The applicant must have been in operation for more than one year.
The applicant must hold a valid Quebec enterprise number (NEQ).
The applicant's website must have a French version.
The applicant must not be in a situation of conflict of interest with MT Lab employees, board members, or selected suppliers.

Who is eligible?

Companies or organizations operating in the tourism industry in Quebec
Businesses in the following sectors: restaurants, recreation and entertainment, accommodation, passenger transport, and travel services
Legally constituted organizations offering services to tourists or excursionists

Who is not eligible

Crown corporations (sociétés d’État).
Provincial or federal government ministries and agencies (Quebec or Canada).
Companies or organizations not operating in one of the five tourism sectors (restaurants, leisure and entertainment, accommodations, passenger transportation, travel services).
Businesses directly related to MT Lab employees or board members, or where conflicts of interest exist.
Organizations whose website does not have a French version.

Eligible expenses

Up to 75% of consulting firm fees for strategic support in project development (between $5,000 and $12,000).

Eligible geographic areas

Companies or organizations registered in Quebec.

Eligibility criteria of the MT Lab — Project funding — Component 1: Strategic support program

Relevance of the project to priority themes, such as productivity, labour shortage, environmental footprint reduction, digital transformation, and responsible or sustainable tourism.
Level of innovation introduced by the project (new processes, procedures, products, or services, or significant added value for the applicant).
Potential benefits for the tourism sector or region (sectoral or regional impact).
Assessment of the risk level associated with the project implementation for the applicant organization.
Consideration of responsible and sustainable tourism principles, including environmental footprint reduction, support for circular economy, and adaptation to climate change.

How to apply to the MT Lab — Project funding — Component 1: Strategic support program

Preparation of documents

Create a presentation document including the presentation of the company/organization, the targeted issue, the project description, the objectives, the innovative aspect, the potential for project pooling, and the timeline.
Write a letter of commitment from the management or board guaranteeing budget availability and a project manager.
Prepare a letter declaring the absence of conflicts of interest with MT Lab and the chosen provider.

Choice of the expert

Select a strategic support expert from the expert bank or choose another qualified expert.
Request and obtain the quote from the selected service provider.

Completion of the application form

Download and complete the required form for the strategic support application.
Attach all prepared documents: presentation document, letter of commitment, and letter of no conflict of interest.

Submission of the request

Send the completed form and the attached documents via the transmission method specified by MT Lab.

Confirmation and follow-up

Wait for confirmation of receipt and evaluation of the request by the MT Lab.
Prepare to respond to any requests for additional information.

Additional information

Only one project per applicant will be selected for funding within the same year.
Applicants may submit more than one project, but cannot be awarded funding more than once in the same year.
The support provided is managed as part of the Tourism Innovation Fund, established through a partnership between MT Lab, UQAM, Tourisme Montréal, and the City of Montréal.
Successful applicants will be notified of the jury's decision by email, but no personalized feedback on application quality will be provided.