How much funding can be received?

Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses, capped at $1000000 per project.

What is the deadline to apply?

The deadline to apply is not specified.

Who are the financial supporters of the Regions and Rurality Fund (RRF) - Component 1?

Regions and Rurality Fund (RRF) - Component 1 is funded by Gouvernement du Québec

Regions and Rurality Fund (RRF) - Component 1

Q: What are Regions and Rurality Fund (RRF) - Component 1's eligibility criterias?

Applicants eligible for financial assistance exclude private financial sector companies and financial cooperatives. Entities registered on the Register of enterprises ineligible for public contracts are not eligible. Applicants involved in litigation with the government of Quebec or failing to meet legal obligations may have their applications declined.

Last Update: July 22, 2025

QC, Canada

Supports regional projects impacting Quebec's territories and communities

Regions and Rurality Fund (RRF) - Component 1 at a glance

Eligible Funding

Max. $1,000,000
Up to 50% of project cost

Timeline

Unspecified

Financing Type

Grant and Funding

Eligible Industries

All industries

Grant Providers

Gouvernement du Québec

Program status

Open

Overview of the Regions and Rurality Fund (RRF) - Component 1 program

The "Fonds régions et ruralité" (FRR) - Component 1, aims to support regional projects in Quebec that have a significant impact on the territory's development and attractiveness. The grant funds initiatives that are time-bound and non-recurring, excluding permanent operational costs. Projects may include enhancing living environments or business development activities, provided they align with regional priorities and generate benefits across multiple regional municipalities.

Financing terms and conditions

This grant provides comprehensive financing options to enhance regional projects in Quebec, supporting initiatives with expansive territorial impacts. Financial caps and assistance rates are determined by the type and scope of the project.

Maximum annual financial aid per project is capped at $1 million for any eligible organization and up to $3 million over five years.
The maximum aid rate is 50% for projects led by private enterprises, 80% for sectoral development agreements, 90% for projects in the Îles-de-la-Madeleine agglomeration, and 80% for other eligible projects in Component 1.
Financial assistance includes costs directly associated with project implementation, such as salaries, rent, equipment acquisition, and accounting expenses for final report preparation.
The rules for financial aid aggregation include aid from federal, provincial, and municipal entities but exclude the beneficiary's own contributions, considering non-repayable and repayable aid at 100% and 50% value, respectively.
Special provisions allow aid aggregation to reach 100% for social or community-oriented projects aimed at enhancing community living conditions, within recognized themes of social development and when aligned with SHQ standards.
Construction contracts linked to the project must adhere to the Public Agency Contracts Law unless more stringent rules are in place by the organization.
Project funding can extend up to a maximum duration of five years.
A final project report and independent auditor's report are mandatory upon project completion, with audit report production costs eligible for funding.

Eligible projects & activities

The Fund for Regions and Rurality (FRR) - Component 1 – Support for the Influence of Regions supports projects that contribute to the attractiveness of living environments and the economic development of regions in Quebec. Projects must be aligned with local priorities and provide benefits to several regional county municipalities (MRC).

One-time projects contributing to the attractiveness of living environments.
Initiatives supporting the development of local businesses.
Sectoral development agreements involving multiple MRCs.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 950,000

Create a regional cooperative to enhance local agricultural output in and around Sherbrooke.

$ 1,000,000

Develop a sustainable tourism initiative linking resource-based attractions in Gaspé and Percé.

Eligibility criteria of the Regions and Rurality Fund (RRF) - Component 1 program

Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific requirements related to the applicant's profile and proposed activities.

All applicants are eligible except private companies in the financial sector and financial cooperatives.
Organizations listed in the Register of ineligible businesses for public contracts are not eligible.
Applications from eligible organizations may be refused if involved in litigation with the Government of Quebec or if failing to meet legal obligations.

Who is eligible?

All applicants are eligible for financial assistance, except private enterprises in the financial sector and financial cooperatives. Organizations registered in the Register of Enterprises Ineligible for Public Contracts are also not eligible.

Who is not eligible

This grant excludes certain types of companies and organizations from eligibility due to their status or activities. The restrictions ensure alignment with the strategic objectives of regional development.

Private enterprises in the financial sector.
Financial cooperatives.
Organizations listed on the Register of enterprises ineligible for public contracts.
Organizations involved in legal disputes with the Government of Quebec.
Organizations failing to meet legal obligations.

Eligible expenses

This grant supports initiatives that have a regional impact and align with regional development priorities in Quebec. The eligible projects are those that enhance the attractiveness of living environments and contribute to business development across multiple Municipal Regional Counties (MRCs).

Projects directly contributing to the attractiveness of living environments or the development of businesses.
Sectoral development agreements as per municipal competence laws involving MRCs and government bodies, targeting objectives that enhance living environments or enterprise development.

Eligible geographic areas

This grant is available to projects that impact various regions of Quebec. Companies can apply if their projects are undertaken in the specified geographical areas.

All administrative regions of Quebec, excluding the regions of Montreal and the Capitale-Nationale.
Projects in Nord-du-Québec, Jamésie, Nunavik, and Eeyou Istchee regions must impact multiple communities.
Projects in Gaspésie and Îles-de-la-Madeleine must be managed as two separate entities.

Eligibility criteria of the Regions and Rurality Fund (RRF) - Component 1 program

The evaluation and selection of projects under this grant are based on a set of specific criteria to ensure the projects align with regional development priorities and effectively contribute to the objectives of the FRR's Volet 1 – Soutien au rayonnement des régions.

Alignment with a regional priority or privileged action, enhancing the likelihood of selection.
The scope of regional impact, evaluated based on the number of territories benefiting from the project and the significance of benefits for users, clients, or employees.
The economic impact in terms of jobs created during and after the project's realization.
The importance of the requested contribution in relation to the extent of regional impact.
The significance of the contribution requested relative to the contributions of other parties, including the beneficiary.
The structuring aspect of the project, which should:
Occur in a field with substantial growth potential.
Help remove barriers to development in the relevant field.
Foster long-term synergy between stakeholders to sustainably improve a given situation.
The quality of the financing plan, which should include realistic projected costs, contributions from involved partners, applicable government programs, and confirmed contributions.
The quality of the project implementation plan, demonstrating clear links between stages, activities, resources, and targets.
The quality of governance structure, showcasing clear relationships between partners, established decision-making processes, and a proven track record of the project director and team.

How to apply to the Regions and Rurality Fund (RRF) - Component 1 program

Verification of submission dates

Check the specific submission dates and modalities for your region to ensure that your application is submitted on time.

Preparation of the request

Consult the list of required items for the application.
Prepare all necessary documents and information for the financial aid form.

Filling out the online form

Access the online financial aid application form.
Enter all required information in a single session as the form cannot be saved.

Submission of the request

Check the accuracy and completeness of the information entered before submitting the online form.
Submit the completed form to avoid data loss.

Additional information

The grant primarily aims to support projects that promote regional vitality across Quebec, excluding Montreal and Quebec City's regions, and stresses collaboration and compliance with existing legal frameworks. All projects must align with regional priorities to be eligible for financial support.

Private financial sector companies and financial cooperatives are not eligible for financial aid.
Projects should demonstrate regional impact, generating benefits in multiple MRCs (municipal regional counties).
Eligible projects should coincide with regional priorities established by respective regional committees.
The grant stipulates various requirements around financial reports, including a final report produced by an independent auditor.

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