How much funding can be received?

Funds up to 60% of admissible expenses, capped at $10000 per project.

What is the deadline to apply?

The deadline to apply is 2025-08-20T17:00:00Z.

Who are the financial supporters of the Relève Alimentaire Québec Award?

Relève Alimentaire Québec Award is funded by Initia Foundation

What are Relève Alimentaire Québec Award's eligibility criterias?

Must be a food processing company registered in Quebec. Must hold a provincial or federal food processing permit. Products must be sold in Quebec.

Relève Alimentaire Québec Award

Last Update: July 3, 2025

QC, Canada

Awards recognizing emerging leaders in Quebec's food industry

Relève Alimentaire Québec Award at a glance

Eligible Funding

From $5,000 to $10,000
Up to 60% of project cost

Timeline

Open Date : June 1, 2025
Closing date : August 20, 2025

Financing Type

Partnering and Collaboration

Grant and Funding

Expert Advice

Eligible Industries

Manufacturing
Accommodation and food services

Grant Providers

Initia Foundation

Status

Open

Overview of the Relève Alimentaire Québec Award program

The Relève Alimentaire Québec Award offers grants of up to $10,000 to support innovative young professionals, entrepreneurs, and businesses in Quebec's agri-food sector. The program recognizes and funds emerging talent for their achievements, business development, and leadership within the food processing and restaurant industries.

Financing terms and conditions

Grants of up to $10,000, varying by category.
"Coup de coeur Aliments du Québec" award provides a $5,000 grant and additional services valued at $10,000, to be used before March 31, 2026.
The "Young Professional" category offers a $5,000 grant.
The "Young Entrepreneur in Foodservice" category offers a $5,000 food credit at Colabor.

Eligible projects & activities

Growth and development of food processing start-ups.
Expansion projects for established food processing companies.
Strategic business transfers and successful management of acquired food processing firms.
Innovation initiatives and implementation of new practices in the food sector.
Leadership and engagement projects by young professionals and entrepreneurs in Quebec's food industry.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 9,600

Implementing digital tracking for locally-sourced food ingredients

$ 9,800

Expansion of artisanal cheese production with legal guidance

$ 9,800

Supporting eco-packaging transition for local vegan bakery products

$ 9,500

Mentored leadership program for young women restaurateurs

$ 9,800

Launching new plant-based snack products for local markets

$ 9,800

Launching artisanal fermented food workshops for skill building

Eligibility criteria of the Relève Alimentaire Québec Award program

The company must operate in Quebec in the food processing sector, including food processing cooperatives.
The owner must have Canadian citizenship or permanent residency and primarily reside in Quebec.
The company must hold a provincial or federal food processing permit.
The business must be registered in Quebec and sell its products within the province.
The company must not have previously won a Relève Alimentaire Québec Award in the same category.

Who is eligible?

Food processing companies based in Quebec, including cooperatives
Food processing companies in startup phase
Growing food processing companies
Food processing companies recently acquired or transferred
Restaurants, catering businesses, and social or solidarity economy enterprises actively featuring Quebec food products

Who is not eligible

Companies not operating in the food processing sector in Quebec.
Businesses not registered in Quebec.
Companies that do not hold a provincial or federal food processing permit.
Past winners of the Relève Alimentaire Québec Award applying in the same category.

Eligible expenses

Cash award up to $10,000 for business development or growth.
Food product credits (for the Jeune entrepreneur(e) en restauration category).
Legal services (bank of hours for legal consultation).
Professional training sessions.
Membership fees to industry associations.
Accompaniment and mentoring services related to innovation and management.
Market data session (with NielsenIQ partner).
Brand protection legal fee discounts.

Eligible geographic areas

Quebec

Eligibility criteria of the Relève Alimentaire Québec Award program

Achievements: Demonstrated impact on company development and tangible results (20 points).
Innovation: Degree of novelty, originality in management, and implementation of new ideas to meet market needs (30 points).
Engagement: Integration of social responsibility and sustainable development initiatives; notable involvement within the industry (30 points).
Vision and Leadership: Long-term strategic vision, identification and pursuit of business opportunities, and demonstrated leadership within the sector (20 points).

How to apply to the Relève Alimentaire Québec Award program

Verify eligibility criteria

Review the eligibility criteria for your business or professional profile
Ensure compliance with sector-specific and ownership requirements

Prepare application documents

Download and complete the appropriate application form for your category
Gather all necessary supporting documents as requested in the form

Submit your application

Submit your complete application in a single PDF file
Email the file to bourses@initia.org
Ensure electronic submission before the deadline: August 20, 2025, 5:00 pm

Jury evaluation process

Your application will be evaluated by the jury according to the specific criteria for your category
Finalists may be contacted for an interview to elaborate on evaluation criteria

Announcement of laureates

The winners will be announced at the Soirée Relève Initia on October 15, 2025
All details regarding the announcement event will be communicated to candidates

Additional information

The winners are announced during the "Soirée Relève Initia," an annual event attended by over 200 industry stakeholders.
A maximum of three finalists per category will be determined by the jury.
Jury members and the Fondation Initia staff are committed to maintaining the confidentiality of all information submitted.
The organizers reserve the right to reject incomplete or unclear submissions, or those not meeting language or submission requirements.