PROMPT — Collaborative Innovation

Q: How much funding can be received?

PROMPT — Collaborative Innovation Funds up to 40% of admissible expenses, capped at $1500000 per project.

Q: What is the deadline to apply?

The program is accepting continuous intake

Q: Is the PROMPT — Collaborative Innovation a grant, loan, or tax credit?

PROMPT — Collaborative Innovation is a Researchers And Facilities

Q: Who are the financial supporters of the PROMPT — Collaborative Innovation?

PROMPT — Collaborative Innovation is funded by PROMPT

Q: Who is eligible for the PROMPT — Collaborative Innovation program?

To be eligible for the PROMPT — Collaborative Innovation program, you must: • Must be a Quebec-based company (SME or large enterprise). • Must not be a Crown corporation or majority-owned by government entities. • Must not operate in excluded sectors (e.g., weapons, fossil fuels, gambling, tobacco, adult industries).

Q: Where is the PROMPT — Collaborative Innovation available?

The PROMPT — Collaborative Innovation program is available the province of QC.

Q: Are startups eligible for the PROMPT — Collaborative Innovation program?

Yes, startups are eligible to apply for the PROMPT — Collaborative Innovation program.

Last Update: July 22, 2025

QC, Canada

Facilitates collaborative R&D between Quebec businesses and research institutions

At a glance

Eligible Funding

Max. $1,500,000
Up to 40% of project cost

Timeline

Unspecified

Financing Type

Researchers And Facilities

Partnering and Collaboration

Grant and Funding

Eligible Industries

Manufacturing
Information and cultural industries
Professional, scientific and technical services
Educational services

Funds Providers

Unspecified

Program status

Open

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.

Financing terms and conditions

Maximum financial assistance of $500,000 per project per year, up to a total of $1.5 million over 3 years.
Funding can cover up to 40% of total eligible project costs.
Total government contribution (including other public aid) may reach up to 80% of the total project cost.
Private contributions must represent at least 20% of the project’s total cost.
Management fees are set at 5% of eligible expenses, with a $50,000 cap (3% from the industrial partner, 2% from the Ministry).

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

Apply to this program

Frequently Asked Questions about the PROMPT — Collaborative Innovation Program

Here are answers to the most common questions about the PROMPT — Collaborative Innovation. This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.

What is the PROMPT — Collaborative Innovation?

How much funding can be received?

What expenses are eligible under PROMPT — Collaborative Innovation?

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.