PSO Large companies
QC, Canada
Funding for industrial research projects
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|fromMinToMax
- grant_single|projectCostPercent
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|openingDateNovember 27, 2023
- grant_single|closingDateFebruary 16, 2024
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Manufacturing
grant_single|grantors
- Metal Transformation Research and Innovation Consortium (MTRIC)
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|closed
grant_single_labels|preview
Get a grant of up to $500,000 to cover up to 20% of eligible costs if your SME partners with a research centre on a project involving primary to tertiary metal processing.
grant_single_labels|projects
Yes, there are specific projects or activities eligible for this grant. Generally, these pertain to metallurgical transformation, advanced metallic product design, ecological footprint reduction, and digital innovation.
- Development of new transformation processes and improvement of existing ones including automation and Industry 4.0.
- Design of advanced metallic products such as new alloys and improved product fabrication.
- Reduction of ecological footprint through emission and waste management, energy recovery, and eco-friendly processes.
- Digital innovation in production processes, including automation, 3D printing, data modeling, and artificial intelligence.
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$100,000
Development of automated alloy production process with University of Toronto partnership
$80,000
Research on eco-friendly steel production methods in collaboration with McGill University
$90,000
Innovative 3D printing alloy project with British Columbia Institute of Technology
grant_single_labels|admissibility
The grant eligibility criteria primarily include being a regular member of CRITM, involvement in the metallic transformation sector, and specific project associations with eligible metals.
- All project partners must become members of CRITM for the duration of the project.
- The project must be linked to one or more of CRITM's research axes.
- The funding request must be made by a recognized research institution.
- Contributions from other planned governmental partners are considered public contributions.
- Industrial partners must provide a letter of commitment indicating their cash and in-kind contributions and anticipated benefits.
- Projects can involve Canadian or foreign companies as a secondary enterprise.
- Projects must relate to the metallic transformation sector, involving metals such as steel, aluminum, or those listed as critical and strategic minerals by the Quebec Government.
- SMEs must have their headquarters in Quebec, with employees or subcontractors mainly working from Quebec, and have 249 employees or less worldwide.
- Enterprises must provide a copy of their francization certificate or proof of steps taken with the Quebec Office of the French Language (OQLF) and have a French website.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
Yes, there are eligible types of companies for this grant. Eligible types of companies must be members of the CRITM and operate within specific sectors of the metal transformation industry.
- Extraction and Concentration
- Primary Production
- First, Second, and Third Transformation
- Finished Products
- Metal Recycling
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
Yes, there are certain types of companies that are not eligible for this grant.
- Companies controlled directly or indirectly by a government, municipal entity, or state-owned corporation.
- Companies listed as ineligible for public contracts.
- Companies under protection from the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act or the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act.
- Companies directly or indirectly controlled (50% or more) by other existing companies or organizations unless validated by CRITM.
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
Yes, there are eligible expenses for this grant. They include a variety of costs directly linked to the research projects.
- Salaries, treatment, and benefits
- Student scholarships
- Material, consumables, and supplies
- Purchase or rental of equipment (max 25% of total expenses)
- CRITM's management fees
- Operational expenses for intellectual property
- Professional fees
- Travel and accommodation expenses
- Monetary compensations for project participation
- Knowledge dissemination expenses
- Subcontracting expenses
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
The eligible geographic zones for this grant include all regions within Quebec. Projects involving enterprises outside Quebec can also qualify, provided a secondary enterprise based in Quebec is involved in the project.
- Regions within Quebec
- Enterprises outside Quebec (as secondary enterprise)
grant_single_labels|criteria
Yes, there are evaluation and selection criteria for this grant. The projects are evaluated based on criteria related to the degree of innovation, partner capabilities, team quality, technological and commercial impacts, student training, and economic benefits for Quebec.
- The degree of innovation of the product/process: the project must present a clearly innovative aspect compared to what currently exists.
- The capacity of the partners to complete the project, including the level of commitment of the companies in carrying out the project and their financial involvement.
- The quality of the research team and the public-private partnership (level and complementarity of expertise).
- The technological and commercial impacts anticipated for the partner companies.
- The training of students and highly qualified personnel.
- The other economic benefits for Quebec.
grant_single_labels|register
- Step 1: Ensure Eligibility
- Verify that your organization is a member of CRITM.
- Confirm that your project aligns with one or more CRITM research axes.
- Step 2: Gather Documentation
- Prepare a detailed project proposal following CRITM guidelines.
- Collect letters of commitment from industrial partners indicating their contributions.
- Obtain necessary certificates, such as the certificate of francisation or proof of démarches with OQLF.
- Step 3: Complete the Application Form
- Fill in the official application form provided by CRITM.
- Detail project financing, ensuring it meets the financial norms for PME or GE as appropriate.
- Step 4: Submit the Application
- Submit the completed application form and all necessary documentation before the deadline (e.g., October 25, 2024, for the 28th call).
- Step 5: Application Review
- The application will be reviewed by an independent evaluation committee based on innovation, feasibility, team quality, and potential outcomes.
- Step 6: Decision Notification
- Await notification from CRITM regarding the approval or rejection of your project.
- If approved, follow any additional instructions provided for project implementation.
- Step 7: Project Implementation and Reporting
- Implement the project as per the approved plan.
- Submit regular progress reports and final results to CRITM as required.
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
grant_single_labels|contact
jfstcyr@critm.ca
4184467187
Apply to this program
Summary of the CRITM Grant
The Consortium for Research and Innovation in Metal Transformation (CRITM) offers grants for research and development projects in the metal transformation sector. The funding aims to promote technological innovation, foster collaboration between businesses and research institutions, and support environmentally sustainable practices.
Comprehensive Overview of the CRITM Grant
The Consortium for Research and Innovation in Metal Transformation (CRITM) is a key player in supporting research and development (R&D) projects within Quebec's metal transformation sector. With the backing of the Ministry of Economy, Innovation and Energy (MEIE), CRITM aims to drive technological advancements, foster industry-academic collaborations, and support sustainable practices through a series of targeted grant programs.
CRITM is known for its robust network of more than 461 active members, including regular and affiliated members. The organization offers a range of funding programs designed to meet the varied needs of its members, from basic support for research and development organizations to specialized programs focused on new research collaborations, emissions reduction, critical and strategic minerals, artificial intelligence, and the circular economy.
Objectives of the Grant Program
The primary goal of the CRITM grant program is to fuel innovation in Quebec's metal transformation sector. Specific objectives include:
- Encouraging sustainable partnerships between metal transformation companies and research institutions to create long-lasting collaborations and generate tangible benefits.
- Enhancing the technological innovation capabilities of businesses within the sector.
- Promoting student involvement and the training of highly qualified personnel to benefit the companies involved.
- Facilitating the transfer of research results to the industrial sector to boost competitiveness, productivity, and profitability.
- Developing new opportunities within the metal transformation sector, including positioning, sustainable development, and circular economy initiatives.
- Providing financial leverage for the development of technological innovations.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the CRITM grant, organizations and companies must:
- Be a regular member of the CRITM.
- Be involved in one of the sectors of metal transformation, such as extraction, primary production, first to third transformation, finished products, or metal recycling.
- Ensure the project is related to metals such as steel, aluminum, or other critical and strategic minerals identified by the Government of Quebec.
- Ensure partnership with at least one research institution recognized by CRITM.
- Submit a funding request through a recognized research institution using the specified forms.
- Provide a letter of commitment from industrial partners indicating their financial and in-kind contributions, as well as the expected outcomes.
Research Focus Areas
Projects eligible for CRITM funding should align with one or more of the following research areas:
- Development of transformation processes: New processes, improving existing processes, automation, industry 4.0, 3D printing, etc.
- Design of advanced metal products: New alloys, better manufacturability, lightweight structures, improved products or equipment, metal powders, etc.
- Reduction of environmental footprint: Reducing pollutant or greenhouse gas emissions, valorizing by-products, energy recovery, less energy-intensive or eco-friendly processes, circular economy, etc.
- Digital innovation: Development and adaptation of new technologies, process improvement, automation and robotics, 3D printing, data modeling and processing, artificial intelligence (AI), quantum technologies, etc.
Program Norms
CRITM provides non-repayable grants under two main funding streams: one for projects involving small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and another for projects involving large enterprises (GEs) without SME participation. Key funding norms include:
ElementSMEsGEsMaximum project duration36 months36 monthsMinimum number of companies1 SME1 GEMaximum CRITM funding rate40%20%Minimum industrial contribution20% in cash40% of the project (up to 50% in kind)Maximum public funding per project80%60%Maximum CRITM funding per project$1,500,000$1,500,000 Eligible Expenses
The grant covers a portion of direct eligible expenses incurred by the research institutions, which include:
- Salaries and benefits
- Materials and consumables
- Equipment purchases or rentals (up to 25% of total eligible expenses)
- Travel and accommodation expenses
- Knowledge dissemination costs
- Professional fees
- Management fees charged by CRITM
Additionally, for GE projects, in-kind expenses are also considered eligible for CRITM funding. However, research institutions must meticulously detail these expenses in their submissions. It is noteworthy that CRITM charges an 8.5% management fee on its contribution, shared between MEIE (40%) and the participating companies (60%).
Financial Examples
Here are examples of financial set-ups for typical SME and GE projects with a total project cost of $1,000,000:
For SME projects with additional funding:
- Minimum cash contribution from companies: $200,000
- CRITM contribution: $400,000
- Complementary funding: $400,000
- Total cash: $1,000,000
For GE projects with CRITM funding only:
- Minimum cash contribution from companies: $400,000
- CRITM contribution: $200,000
- Total cash: $600,000
- Total in-kind: $400,000
- Total project (cash + in-kind): $1,000,000
Project Selection Process
All submitted project proposals are evaluated by an independent selection committee. The evaluation criteria include:
- Innovation level of the product or process
- Capacity of the partners to complete the project
- Quality and complementarity of the research team
- Anticipated technological and commercial benefits for the companies
- Training of students and highly qualified personnel
- Economic impacts for Quebec
Based on these evaluations, the CRITM board of directors adopts projects and ensures the necessary follow-ups are made.
Intellectual Property
CRITM does not claim any intellectual property rights from the projects it funds. However, it requires that the partners sign an agreement that outlines the management of intellectual property and research results.
Contact Information
For more information, interested parties can contact:
Mr. Jean-François St-Cyr
Director of Programs
Email: jfstcyr@critm.ca
Cell: 418-446-7187
Mr. Olivier Arnaud Sadoung Noubossie
Program Manager
Email: oa.sadoung@critm.ca
Address:
CRITM
2900, ch. Quatre-Bourgeois, local 207
Quebec (Quebec) G1V 1Y4
