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.

• 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.