Regions and Rurality Fund (RRF) - Component 1

Who is eligible?

• Legally constituted non-profit organizations
• For-profit businesses with an establishment and operations in the applicable region of Québec (excluding financial sector companies)
• Municipal organizations and municipalities in regions outside Montréal and Capitale-Nationale
• Other legal entities (persons or organizations) residing and active in the administrative region targeted by the funding

Who is not eligible

• Private companies in the financial sector, including financial cooperatives and financial planners.
• Insurance or real estate brokerage firms.
• Public sector entities such as government ministries, agencies, Crown corporations and their subsidiaries, or any entity controlled by a government.
• Health sector institutions (hospitals, local community service centers, youth protection centers, long-term care facilities, rehabilitation centers), hospital foundations, and health cooperatives.
• Educational organizations, including schools, school service centers, CEGEPs, universities and their affiliated organizations.
• Professional orders, labor unions, political parties, religious organizations, foundations not engaged in community action, and public-interest administration entities.
• Businesses or organizations listed on the Register of Enterprises Ineligible for Public Contracts (RENA).
• Applicants under bankruptcy protection or subject to insolvency proceedings.
• Individuals not operating a business.

Eligible expenses

• Salaries and benefits directly related to project delivery (subject to applicable public sector standards).
• Rent and travel expenses (according to government rates) necessary for the project.
• Acquisition of data, materials, and equipment (excluding vehicles) required for the project.
• Fees for project accountability and reporting.
• Costs for preparing business plans, market analyses, feasibility and financial studies, concept development, and programming related to the project.
• Development of tools or sector-specific indicators, including studies of traffic and economic impacts.
• Construction, renovation, adaptation, or setup costs tied to project implementation.
• Planning and consultation expenses gathering regional stakeholders (including professional fees and contractual services).
• Administrative expenses related to the project, up to 5% of eligible expenses (including travel, bookkeeping, communication, supplies, web maintenance, insurance, bank fees, and facility maintenance).

Eligible geographic areas

• Administrative regions of Quebec, except for the regions of Montréal and Capitale-Nationale.
• For the Nord-du-Québec and the Maritime Community of Îles-de-la-Madeleine, projects must benefit more than one community, municipality, or locality within these territories.

• Pertinence: Alignment of the project with the regional priority or, if addressing a specific situation, its relevance to the identified issue and objectives.
• Regional impact and structuring effect: Potential of the project to generate economic, employment, or sector-wide benefits, and contribute to solving development obstacles or fostering sustainable collaboration.
• Mobilization and regional cohesion: Level of collective involvement and engagement from local stakeholders, including municipalities, residents, and organizations.
• Innovation or differentiation potential: Introduction of new approaches or enhancement of regional identity and attractiveness.
• Applicant’s capacity and project feasibility: Demonstrated technical, human, and financial resources to successfully carry out the project, supported by a realistic and detailed financing plan.

• Step 1: Review Project Call and Requirements
  • Consult the regional project call on the Ministry’s website to verify eligibility and specific regional objectives.
  • Review the list of required supporting documents and modality of application submission specific to your region.
• Step 2: Prepare Application Documentation
  • Complete the application form in French, providing a clear description of the project, territorial coverage, general and specific targets.
  • Prepare a detailed project plan, including objectives, a timeline, and measurable expected results.
  • Assemble a financing plan detailing all sources of funding and attach letters confirming financial contributions from partners, if applicable.
  • Include all additional required documentation as indicated in the regional call for projects (e.g., board resolution, supporting material).
• Step 3: Submit Application
  • Submit a complete application file through the Portail gouvernemental des affaires municipales et régionales in response to the current regional call for projects.
  • Ensure that submission occurs within the specified 30-day (minimum) application period; late applications are not accepted.
  • Note that the online form cannot be saved; prepare all answers and attachments in advance for a complete submission in one session.
  • Receive and retain an acknowledgement of receipt from the Ministry upon submission.
• Step 4: Application Review and Selection
  • The Ministry verifies applicant and project eligibility in accordance with program norms.
  • Complete applications are analyzed by the Ministry based on project relevance, structuring impact, mobilization, innovation potential, applicant capacity, financing plan quality, and sustainability practices.
• Step 5: Regional Selection and Ministerial Decision
  • The regional selection committee prioritizes eligible projects and recommends them to the Minister.
  • The Minister issues an official decision letter to applicants, either granting or refusing the funding.
• Step 6: Grant Agreement Signature
  • If your project is selected, sign the grant agreement (convention de subvention) specifying the terms of funding, obligations, and payment schedule.

• The minimum grant amount that may be awarded to a project is $100,000.
• Administrative expenses are allowable up to a maximum of 5% of approved expenditures.
• All grants require the applicant to sign a funding agreement specifying terms and obligations, including reporting requirements.
• Submissions must be made in response to regional calls for projects, and the application form and materials must be submitted in French.