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.

Financing terms and conditions

Maximum financial assistance of $1,500,000 per project over 3 years.
Funding rate of 20% of eligible expenses, provided as both cash and in-kind contributions.
Minimum industrial contribution of 40% of the project cost, with a maximum of 50% of that contribution allowed as in-kind.

Activities funded

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.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 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

Eligibility

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.

Who is eligible?

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

Who is not eligible

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.

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

Eligible geographic areas

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)

Selection 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.

How to apply

Make sure you are eligible

Check that your organization is a member of CRITM.
Confirm that your project aligns with one or more research axes of CRITM.

Gather the documentation

Prepare a detailed project proposal according to CRITM's guidelines.
Collect letters of commitment from industrial partners indicating their contributions.
Obtain the necessary certificates, such as the francization certificate or proof of steps taken with the OQLF.

Complete the application form

Fill out the official application form provided by CRITM.
Detail the project financing, ensuring that it meets the financial standards for SMEs or large enterprises as applicable.

Submit the request

Submit the completed application form and all necessary documentation before the deadline (for example, October 25, 2024, for the 28th call).

Examination of the request

The application will be reviewed by an independent evaluation committee based on innovation, feasibility, team quality, and potential results.

Notification of the decision

Wait for the notification from CRITM regarding the approval or rejection of your project.
If approved, follow any additional instructions provided for the implementation of the project.

Implementation of the project and reporting

Implement the project according to the approved plan.
Submit regular progress reports and final results to CRITM as required.

Additional information

CRITM reserves the right to modify the project call calendar partially or entirely.
A project submission form must be completed to propose a project.
Projects must align with one or more CRITM research axes.
A summary guide is available for applicants.

Documents and links

MTRIC — PSO Large companies

Contacts

jfstcyr@critm.ca

4184467187

Apply to this program

Frequently Asked Questions about the MTRIC — PSO Large companies Program

Here are answers to the most common questions about the MTRIC — PSO Large companies. 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 MTRIC — PSO Large companies?

How much funding can be received?

What is the deadline to apply?

Is the MTRIC — PSO Large companies a grant, loan, or tax credit?

Who are the financial supporters of the MTRIC — PSO Large companies?

Who is eligible for the MTRIC — PSO Large companies program?

To be eligible for the MTRIC — PSO Large companies program, you must: Eligible companies must be regular members of the CRITM and operate in the metal transformation sector, including extraction, production, and recycling. Projects involving metals such as steel, aluminum, and other critical and strategic minerals are eligible, including projects utilizing necessary non-metallic substances identified as critical and strategic minerals. Projects located in Quebec that involve international companies as second collaborators are eligible.