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Source verified July 9, 2026
PSO – Organic food
Supports collaborative biofood research and innovation projects in Quebec
Funding available
$ 500,000
Deadline
Unspecified
Location
Quebec, Canada
Overview
The PSO – Organic Food program provides up to $500,000 per year (maximum $1,500,000 over three years) to support collaborative research projects that drive innovation in Quebec's agri-food sector. Eligible activities include the development of innovative products and processes in food production, food safety, functional foods, transformation, and bio-ingredient valorization.
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Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase performance through digital transformation
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Develop a new product or service
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 500,000 $
- Up to 27% of project cost
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Quebec
Legal structures
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Startups
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Availability timeline
2026
Periods: 1
Activities funded
- Research and development of innovative food production methods, including animal, plant, and aquatic sectors.
- Development and optimization of food processing and transformation processes.
- Creation of functional foods and health-enhancing bio-ingredients.
- Projects aimed at improving food safety, traceability, and reducing food waste.
- Valorization and repurposing of food co-products or by-products.
Documents Needed
- Letter of intent (LDI), mandatory.
- Copy of the application for complementary funding submitted to the granting agency.
- Letters of support from industry partners indicating the cash and in-kind contributions and their consistency with the financing plan.
- For companies with 25 employees or more, a copy of the francization certificate or one of the accepted language documents.
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Public research institutes in Quebec
- Enterprises involved in the biofood sector
- Industrial associations related to the biofood sector
Who is not eligible
- Companies whose industrial contribution is funded by other government aids (industrial contributions must not come from government funding).
- Companies conducting business in Quebec without a French-language website (this restriction does not apply to international partners).
- Non-member organizations that have not paid their membership fees to CRIBIQ at the time of detailed application submission.
Eligible expenses
- Salaries and social benefits (excluding university researchers already funded by their institution or government agency, and teachers released for project-related activities).
- Scholarships for students or postdoctoral trainees (minimum 20% of the budget must go towards student training).
- Materials, laboratory consumables, and small laboratory devices (excluding non-eligible equipment expenditures).
- Purchase or rental of equipment (up to 25% of total eligible expenses and a maximum of $25,000 per piece of equipment, before tax).
- Animal facility and platform fees.
- Travel and accommodation expenses in accordance with Quebec Treasury Board standards.
- Intellectual property management and operating fees.
- Professional fees (contracts, subcontracting) incurred by a research institute, justified and up to 10% of the total budget or $25,000 maximum, following relevant public procurement laws.
- CRIBIQ analysis and project follow-up fees (5% of total project cost, plus taxes).
Eligible geographic areas
- Quebec
Selection criteria
- Innovative character or prospects for innovation compared to the current state of the art (eliminatory criterion).
- Quality and appropriateness of the management team’s scientific expertise in relation to business needs.
- Scientific quality, methodology, and soundness of the project structure.
- Potential impact, including prospects for use or integration of the project results by industrial partners and potential economic or commercial applications (eliminatory criterion).
- Realism of the timeline and justification of the financial structure, as well as the inclusion of qualified personnel training.
How to apply
- Submit the letter of intent (LDI), which is mandatory, on a rolling basis.
- Submit the LDI at least 10 business days before the deadline for a detailed application so that it is considered in the current cohort.
- Allow sufficient time for the CRIBIQ to review the LDI and for drafting the detailed application once the LDI has been accepted.
- When submitting the detailed application, attach a copy of the application for complementary funding submitted to the granting agency.
- Ensure that all documents are signed and attach letters of support from industry partners indicating the cash and in-kind contributions.
- Submit the detailed application on one of the scheduled dates: 23 June 2026, 9 October 2026 or 9 February 2027.
Additional information
- The next call for proposals is scheduled for April 15, 2025.
- Membership in the CRIBIQ consortium is mandatory for all project partners at the time of detailed application submission.
- Partners must pay their membership or renewal fees to CRIBIQ prior to submitting the detailed application.
- Strict compliance with CRIBIQ's membership requirements is necessary throughout the project process.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the PSO – Organic food Program
What is the PSO – Organic food?
The PSO – Organic Food program provides up to $500,000 per year (maximum $1,500,000 over three years) to support collaborative research projects that drive innovation in Quebec's agri-food sector. Eligible activities include the development of innovative products and processes in food production, food safety, functional foods, transformation, and bio-ingredient valorization.
How much funding can be received?
PSO – Organic food Funds up to 27% of admissible expenses, capped at $500,000 per project.
Who is eligible for the PSO – Organic food program?
To be eligible for the PSO – Organic food program, you must:
Must partner with a Quebec public research institute (IRPQ)
Companies operating in Quebec with a French website required
Companies with 25+ employees must provide a francization certificate or equivalent
What expenses are eligible under PSO – Organic food?
Research and development of innovative food production methods, including animal, plant, and aquatic sectors.
Development and optimization of food processing and transformation processes.
Creation of functional foods and health-enhancing bio-ingredients.
Projects aimed at improving food safety, traceability, and reducing food waste.
Valorization and repurposing of food co-products or by-products.
Who can I contact for more information about the PSO – Organic food?
You can contact Consortium de recherche et innovations en bioéconomie industrielle au Québec (CRIBIQ) or by phone at 4189141608.
Where is the PSO – Organic food available?
The PSO – Organic food program is available the province of Quebec.
Is the PSO – Organic food a grant, loan, or tax credit?
PSO – Organic food is a Researchers And Facilities