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PROMPT — Collaborative Innovation
Last Update: March 4, 2026
Quebec, Canada
Facilitates collaborative R&D between Quebec businesses and research institutions
Researchers And Facilities
Partnering and Collaboration
Grant and Funding
Overview
The PROMPT — Collaborative Innovation grant provides up to $1.5 million ($500,000 per year over three years) to support research and technology development projects. This program aims to facilitate partnerships between Quebec companies and research organizations, minimizing R&D risks and fostering innovation in advanced technology sectors.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Integrate new technologies
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Develop a new product
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 1,500,000 $
- Up to 40% of project cost
Timeline
- Open continuously
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Manufacturing
- Information and cultural industries
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Educational services
Location
- Quebec
Legal structures
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Startups
Activities funded
- Collaborative research and development projects bringing together companies and academic or public research partners.
- Development of innovative technologies in high-potential sectors.
- Applied research projects that leverage university, college, and institutional expertise alongside industry needs.
- Initiatives that foster international or Quebec-based partnerships between the research sector and businesses.
Eligibility
- The applicant must be a Quebec-based business or a research and innovation organization (such as a university, CCTT, or public research centre).
- The applicant and their subcontractors must not be listed in the Register of Enterprises Ineligible for Public Contracts (RENA).
- The company must have fulfilled all obligations related to previous government or Investissement Québec financial aid for at least two years.
- The applicant must not be a state-owned enterprise or controlled by any level of government.
- The applicant must not be in bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings.
Who is eligible?
- Quebec-based small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with fewer than 250 employees
- Quebec-based large enterprises with more than 249 employees
- Universities in Quebec
- College Centres for the Transfer of Technologies (CCTT) in Quebec
- Public research centres in Quebec
Who is not eligible
- State-owned enterprises or companies controlled directly or indirectly by any level of government (municipal, provincial, or federal), municipal entities, or entities majority-owned by a state enterprise.
- Companies in bankruptcy or insolvency situations.
- Businesses involved in the production or distribution of weapons.
- Organizations engaged in exploration, extraction, drilling, production, or refining of fossil energies such as oil and thermal coal (except those committed to carbon transition activities).
- Businesses operating in gambling, violent games, combat sports involving live beings, animal racing, sexual exploitation, or tobacco/drug-related services (with some exceptions for industrial cannabis and hemp).
Eligible geographic areas
- Quebec
How to apply
1
Assess eligibility and project fit
- Identify your organization’s research and development needs
- Verify your eligibility according to the program’s criteria
- Check if your project aligns with the innovation sectors targeted by Prompt
2
Build project consortium
- Collaborate with at least one eligible research partner (university, CCTT, or public research centre)
- Ensure that your consortium meets the requirements for SME or large company participation
- Define the roles of all partners and establish project objectives
3
Prepare financial and administrative documents
- Gather necessary documentation for all parties involved
- Estimate the total project cost and determine funding sources
- Calculate the management fees to be applied
4
Complete and submit application
- Complete the official application form available on Prompt’s website
- Attach all required documents as stipulated in the program guidelines
- Ensure accuracy and completeness before submitting
5
Await evaluation and respond to queries
- Await confirmation of receipt and evaluation by Prompt
- Respond promptly to any additional information requests
- Monitor the application status via contact with Prompt advisors
6
Receive results and finalize agreement
- Receive notification of acceptance or refusal of your grant application
- If accepted, review and sign the funding agreement
- Begin project activities according to the approved plan
Additional information
- The program is continuously open for applications, with no fixed submission deadline.
- Management fees apply at 5% of eligible expenses, capped at $50,000, with a split between the industrial partner (3%) and MEIE (2%).
- The grant is designed to foster collaboration between research institutions and industry partners in Quebec and internationally.
- Applicants must not have unresolved ethical violations or be associated with products or services affecting government integrity.
