Regions and Rurality Fund (RRF) - Component 1

Q: How much funding can be received?

Regions and Rurality Fund (RRF) - Component 1 Funds up to 80% of admissible expenses, capped at $3000000 per project.

Q: What is the deadline to apply?

The program is accepting continuous intake

Q: Is the Regions and Rurality Fund (RRF) - Component 1 a grant, loan, or tax credit?

Regions and Rurality Fund (RRF) - Component 1 is a Grant and Funding

Q: 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

Q: Who is eligible for the Regions and Rurality Fund (RRF) - Component 1 program?

To be eligible for the Regions and Rurality Fund (RRF) - Component 1 program, you must: • The applicant must be a for-profit business legally constituted and active in Quebec. • The business must not be from the financial sector, including financial cooperatives. • The applicant and its affiliates must not be registered in the Register of Enterprises Ineligible for Public Contracts (RENA).

Q: Who can I contact for more information about the Regions and Rurality Fund (RRF) - Component 1?

You can contact Gouvernement du Québec.

Q: Where is the Regions and Rurality Fund (RRF) - Component 1 available?

The Regions and Rurality Fund (RRF) - Component 1 program is available the province of QC.

Q: Are Indigenous Peoples eligible for the Regions and Rurality Fund (RRF) - Component 1 program?

Yes, Indigenous Peoples are eligible to apply for the Regions and Rurality Fund (RRF) - Component 1 program.

Last Update: August 20, 2025

QC, Canada

Supports regional projects impacting Quebec's territories and communities

At a glance

Eligible Funding

From $100,000 to $3,000,000
Up to 80% of project cost

Timeline

Unspecified

Financing Type

Grant and Funding

Eligible Industries

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
Utilities
Construction
Manufacturing
Wholesale trade
Retail trade
Transportation and warehousing
Information and cultural industries
Real estate and rental and leasing
Professional, scientific and technical services
Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services
Educational services
Health care and social assistance
Arts, entertainment and recreation
Accommodation and food services
Other services (except public administration)
Public administration

Funds Providers

Unspecified

Program status

Open

Overview

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

Maximum financial support of $1 million per project per year, up to $3 million over a three-year period for the same project.
The minimum grant amount per project is $100,000.
Financial assistance covers up to 80% of eligible project expenses, or 90% for projects in the Îles-de-la-Madeleine and Nord-du-Québec; for for-profit enterprises, the maximum is 50% of eligible expenses.
Government funding (including all public sources) for a single project is capped at 80% of eligible expenses (90% for the aforementioned regions), except in specific social development themes, where it can reach 100%.

Activities funded

Implementation of regional development initiatives aligned with local government priorities.
Projects addressing specific social, economic, or environmental challenges impacting regional vitality.
Collaborative projects that generate positive outcomes across multiple municipalities or communities within a region.
Initiatives that support innovation, enhance regional identity, or improve the attractiveness of living environments.
Sectoral agreements involving regional county municipalities and government bodies that fund actions aimed at business development or community well-being.

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

The applicant must be a physical or legal person (organization or business) residing and conducting activities in Quebec, within the targeted administrative region.
The project must align with a regional priority identified in the "Stratégie gouvernementale pour assurer l’occupation et la vitalité des territoires" or offer a solution to a regional challenge impacting the vitality of the area.
The project must have a territorial scope, generating positive outcomes across a significant part of the regional territory or as part of a set of local projects pursuing a common objective.
The project must comply with applicable legal and regulatory frameworks, including the legal framework for municipal competencies.
The project must be carried out within the administrative region for which the funding is requested.

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.

Selection criteria

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.

How to apply

Verify project eligibility

Consult the call for projects in your target administrative region
Ensure your project aligns with identified regional priorities or addresses a situational challenge
Read all eligibility criteria for applicants and projects

Prepare project documentation

Prepare a clear project description detailing objectives, territorial scope, and expected outcomes
Gather all required supporting documents, including financing plan and letters of financial confirmation
Obtain an official resolution from your organization if applicable

Submit grant application

Fill out the online grant application form in French
Attach all required documentation
Ensure submission is within the published intake period (minimum 30 days window)
Submit the complete application via the government portal

Application review and selection

Receive an acknowledgment of receipt from the Ministry
Your application's eligibility and content are analyzed
The regional selection committee prioritizes projects
The Minister makes the final decision

Sign grant agreement

If successful, receive an official positive decision letter
Sign the grant agreement specifying project execution conditions and funding terms

Additional information

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.

Apply to this program

Frequently Asked Questions about the Regions and Rurality Fund (RRF) - Component 1 Program

Here are answers to the most common questions about the Regions and Rurality Fund (RRF) - Component 1. 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.