Open
Regional defence investment initiative (RDII) – Quebec
Supports Quebec organizations integrating into domestic and international defence supply chains
Last Update: March 4, 2026
Funding available
Up to 90% of project cost
Timeline
- Open continuously
Location
Quebec, Canada
Overview
The Regional Defence Investment Initiative – Quebec is a three-year program that supports SMEs and organizations seeking to integrate or strengthen their position in domestic and international defence supply chains through projects that boost production and innovation capacity, productivity, competitiveness, certification, market expansion and response to defence procurement needs. It offers generally repayable contributions for SMEs covering up to 75% of eligible costs and generally non-repayable contributions for non-profit organizations covering up to 90% of eligible costs for projects aligned with the current or future needs of the Canadian Armed Forces, NATO or allied countries.
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Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase performance through digital transformation
- Increase production or service capacity
- Develop strategic partnerships
Eligible Funding
- Up to 90% of project cost
Timeline
- Open continuously
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Manufacturing
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Public administration
Location
- Quebec
Legal structures
- For-profit business
- Non-profit
- Public or Parapublic institution
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
- Canadians
- Startups
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- All industries
Target groups
- All the groups
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- All dimensions
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Projects that increase a company’s production and innovation capacity to serve current or future needs of the Canadian Armed Forces, NATO or allied countries.
- Initiatives that improve productivity and competitiveness to better position the business within domestic or international defence supply chains.
- Projects to explore and expand into new defence markets in Canada or abroad.
- Business development projects aimed at obtaining required defence certifications or qualifications.
- Start-up or growth projects designed to integrate the business into national or international defence supply chains or respond to calls for proposals from prime defence contractors and the Government of Canada.
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) active in the defence industry supply chain
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) seeking to enter the defence industry supply chain
- Not-for-profit organizations that support SMEs (including industry associations and consortia)
- Business accelerators and incubators that support SMEs
- Indigenous organizations involved as eligible recipients
Eligible geographic areas
- Businesses and organizations located in Quebec.
Selection criteria
- Demonstrated capacity of the project to meet an existing or future need of the Canadian Armed Forces, NATO, or an allied country.
- Contribution of the project to increasing the production and innovation capacity of the company.
- Impact of the project on improving the productivity and competitiveness of the company.
- Potential of the project to promote exploration and establishment in new markets, particularly in the defense supply chains.
- Ability of the lead organization (especially for expert agencies) to provide high-quality, high-intensity support, demonstrated by recognized expertise and a solid operational capacity.
How to apply
- Step 1: Review program information
- Consult the Regional Defence Investment Initiative (RDII) program details to ensure your project aligns with the program’s objectives and eligible activities.
- Confirm that your project addresses current or future needs of the Canadian Armed Forces, NATO, or an allied country, as required under the program.
- Step 2: Prepare your funding request
- Define your project, including how it will help meet existing or future needs of the Canadian Armed Forces, NATO, or an allied country.
- Determine the amount of financial assistance you intend to request, taking into account that SMEs may receive up to 75% of eligible costs (generally repayable) and non-profit organizations may receive up to 90% of eligible costs (generally non-repayable).
- Ensure that planned expenditures do not include ineligible costs such as debt refinancing, purchase of assets above fair market value, amortization, goodwill, or land purchases.
- Step 3: Complete the financial assistance application
- Access the “financial assistance application” for the RDII as indicated by Développement économique Canada (DEC/CED).
- Fill out all required sections of the application form with accurate project, organization, and financial information.
- Verify that the information provided is complete and consistent with RDII requirements before submission.
- Step 4: Submit the application to DEC/CED
- Submit your completed financial assistance application to DEC/CED using the submission method provided with the “Submit a financial assistance application” option for the RDII.
- Ensure that the application is transmitted while the program status is Open.
- Step 5: Follow up and contact for questions
- If you have questions before or after submitting your application, use the “Contact us” option provided by DEC/CED for the RDII.
- Monitor communications from DEC/CED for any requests for additional information or next steps following your application submission.
Additional information
- The Regional Defence Investment Initiative (RDII) is a temporary, three-year program.
- The RDII is part of the Regional Economic Growth through Innovation (REGI) program.
- In Quebec, the program is delivered by Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED).
- Funding applications for the RDII are currently being accepted.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Regional defence investment initiative (RDII) – Quebec Program
What is the Regional defence investment initiative (RDII) – Quebec?
The Regional Defence Investment Initiative – Quebec is a three-year program that supports SMEs and organizations seeking to integrate or strengthen their position in domestic and international defence supply chains through projects that boost production and innovation capacity, productivity, competitiveness, certification, market expansion and response to defence procurement needs. It offers generally repayable contributions for SMEs covering up to 75% of eligible costs and generally non-repayable contributions for non-profit organizations covering up to 90% of eligible costs for projects aligned with the current or future needs of the Canadian Armed Forces, NATO or allied countries.
How much funding can be received?
Regional defence investment initiative (RDII) – Quebec Funds up to 90% of admissible expenses.
Who is eligible for the Regional defence investment initiative (RDII) – Quebec program?
To be eligible for the Regional defence investment initiative (RDII) – Quebec program, you must:
SMEs active in or seeking to enter the defence industry supply chain.
Not-for-profit organizations that support SMEs (e.g., industry associations, accelerators, incubators).
Projects must address current or future needs of the Canadian Armed Forces, NATO or an allied country.
What expenses are eligible under Regional defence investment initiative (RDII) – Quebec?
Projects that increase a company’s production and innovation capacity to serve current or future needs of the Canadian Armed Forces, NATO or allied countries.
Initiatives that improve productivity and competitiveness to better position the business within domestic or international defence supply chains.
Projects to explore and expand into new defence markets in Canada or abroad.
Business development projects aimed at obtaining required defence certifications or qualifications.
Start-up or growth projects designed to integrate the business into national or international defence supply chains or respond to calls for proposals from prime defence contractors and the Government of Canada.
Who can I contact for more information about the Regional defence investment initiative (RDII) – Quebec?
You can contact Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED).
Where is the Regional defence investment initiative (RDII) – Quebec available?
The Regional defence investment initiative (RDII) – Quebec program is available the province of Quebec.
Is the Regional defence investment initiative (RDII) – Quebec a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Regional defence investment initiative (RDII) – Quebec is a Grant and Funding