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Regional defence investment initiative (RDII) – Quebec

Q: How much funding can be received?

Regional defence investment initiative (RDII) – Quebec Funds up to 90% of admissible expenses.

Q: 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.

Q: 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).

Q: Where is the Regional defence investment initiative (RDII) – Quebec available?

The Regional defence investment initiative (RDII) – Quebec program is available the province of Quebec.

Q: 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

Last Update: March 4, 2026

Quebec, Canada

Supports Quebec organizations integrating into domestic and international defence supply chains

Grant and Funding

Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions

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.

At a glance

Funding available

Financing goals

Integrate new technologies

Develop strategic partnerships

Research and experimental development

Eligible Funding

Up to 90% of project cost

Timeline

Unspecified

Eligible candidates

Eligible Industries

Manufacturing
Professional, scientific and technical services
Public administration

Location

Quebec

Legal structures

Non-profit
Public or Parapublic institution
For-profit business

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

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.

Eligibility

The applicant must be an SME active in, or seeking to position itself within, the defence industry supply chain, a not-for-profit organization supporting SMEs, an Indigenous recipient, or a provincial or municipal authority.
The project must clearly address current or future needs of the Canadian Armed Forces, NATO or an allied country.
In Quebec, SME projects must focus on business growth and productivity, such as increasing production or innovation capacity, improving productivity or competitiveness, expanding into new markets, meeting defence certification/qualification standards, supporting start-up and growth to integrate into defence supply chains, or responding to calls for proposals from prime defence contractors or the Government of Canada.
On an exceptional basis, projects led by expert organizations may be eligible if they strengthen regional innovation ecosystems to help SMEs meet the needs of the Canadian Armed Forces, NATO or an allied country.

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

Confirm eligibility and alignment

Confirm that your organization is an eligible client (SME, not-for-profit, Indigenous recipient, or provincial/municipal authority)
Ensure your project aligns with defence supply chain objectives and RDII priorities in Quebec

Define and justify the project

Demonstrate how your project meets current or future needs of the Canadian Armed Forces, NATO or an allied country
Define how the project will increase capacity, productivity, competitiveness or market expansion, or help meet defence standards

Prepare project budget and costs

Determine total eligible project costs in line with RDII rules
Exclude ineligible expenses such as debt refinancing, over-market asset purchases, amortization, goodwill and land purchases
Decide the amount of financial assistance you will request

Submit financial assistance application

Complete the online form to submit a financial assistance application under RDII
Attach all required project, organizational and financial information requested by DEC

Await DEC funding decision

Wait for DEC to review your RDII funding application
Respond to any follow-up requests or questions from DEC during the assessment

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.

Apply to this program

Frequently Asked Questions about the Regional defence investment initiative (RDII) – Quebec Program

Here are answers to the most common questions about the Regional defence investment initiative (RDII) – Quebec. 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 Regional defence investment initiative (RDII) – Quebec?

How much funding can be received?

Who is eligible for the Regional defence investment initiative (RDII) – Quebec program?

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.