How much funding can be received?

Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses, capped at $100000 per project.

What is the deadline to apply?

The deadline to apply is not specified.

Who are the financial supporters of the SIAM — Individual Market Access Support?

SIAM — Individual Market Access Support is funded by Aliments du Québec

What are SIAM — Individual Market Access Support's eligibility criterias?

Applicants must have an operational establishment located in Quebec. Applicants must be registered in the Quebec business registry as a food processor, a business subcontracting its food processing, or an agro-processor, meeting specific conditions. The business must have been marketing its food products for at least one year and have annual sales exceeding $250,000.

SIAM — Individual Market Access Support

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QC, Canada

Market Access Support for Quebec Food Processors

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Grant and Funding

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Manufacturing

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Aliments du Québec

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The SIAM program offers non-repayable financial assistance to eligible Quebec-based food processing businesses, with a maximum funding amount of $100,000 per applicant per twelve-month period. It aims to facilitate access to long distribution marketing networks by supporting activities like market development and commercialization to increase the presence and sales of Quebec's bio-food products.

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The SIAM grant provides support to Quebec's food processors to enhance their market access through tailored financial contributions. The grant offers structured financial assistance accommodating varying project needs up to a specific funding limit.

The financial assistance is non-repayable, covering up to 50% of eligible expenses, capped at $100,000 per applicant annually.
The assistance rate can be increased cumulatively to a maximum of 70% if certain conditions are met, such as projects exclusively marketing certified organic products or targeting the public institutional market.
Funds are disbursed in a maximum of two instalments, contingent on the acceptance of deliverables and supporting documents by Aliments du Québec.

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The SIAM (Soutien individuel d’accès aux marchés) program supports activities aimed at enhancing the market access for food processing companies in Quebec. Eligible projects involve marketing and market development activities that extend the reach and visibility of Québécois biofood products.

Accessing a new market, such as entering the restaurant industry or institutional sector from a retail background.
Penetrating a new market segment, like moving from one retail chain to another.
Expanding market share across Quebec by significantly increasing distribution scale within a retail network.

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$ 100,000

Expanding distribution of Quebec organic juices in major retail

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This grant requires specific criteria for applicants to be eligible.

The applicant must have an operational establishment located in Quebec.
The applicant must be legally registered in the Quebec enterprise register as a food processing company, an entity outsourcing food processing (under certain conditions), or an agro-processor (under certain conditions).
The applicant must have been commercializing its food products for at least one year.
The applicant must have achieved a minimum annual revenue of $250,000 related to food processing activities.
The applicant's food product offerings must primarily consist of Quebec products.
The applicant must demonstrate sufficient financial capacity to undertake the project, meeting specific financial ratios.

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Eligible applicants are those with an operational establishment located in Quebec and include:- A business registered with the Quebec Enterprise Register: - Must be a food processing company; - Companies subcontracting their food processing (under certain conditions); - Agri-processors (under certain conditions); - Must have been marketing their food products for at least one year; - Must have achieved a revenue exceeding $250,000; - Must offer food products primarily consisting of Quebec products.

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The grant is specifically targeted at certain types of companies within the agri-food sector, limiting eligibility beyond this scope. This ensures that the support aids strategic expansion and market access for participants in Quebec's food processing industry.

Companies not legally registered in Quebec.
Entities with no operational establishment in Quebec.
Companies that have not been in operation for at least one year.
Businesses with an annual revenue below $250,000.
Enterprises without a majority of Quebec-produced food products in their portfolio.
Non-food processing businesses.

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Registration of products with GS1 Canada, including subscription and service fees.
Salaries for a market development or marketing specialist for up to 52 weeks, limited to $45,000.
Professional fees for market studies, database access, surveys, and market tests.
Costs for product tastings at points of sale, excluding product and disposable costs.
Fees related to advertising content creation, media placement, and media promotion.
Professional services from influencers or brand ambassadors, up to $15,000.
Fees for registering a new product with a retail chain, limited to $40,000.
External professional fees for updating a marketing strategy.
Trademark registration costs, including fees with the Canadian Intellectual Property Office, limited to $20,000.
First-year membership fees for a business development association.
Development work related to the applicant's website for commercialization purposes, up to $20,000.
Fixed fees for access to an online sales platform or business matchmaking service.
Professional fees for external merchandising specialists, limited to $25,000.
Costs for accessing the Quebec government electronic tendering system (SEAO) and related external professional fees.
Costs associated with professional trade shows and major industry events, including registration, space rental, equipment, booth setup, and direct participation costs.

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This grant is exclusive to companies that have an operational establishment located in Quebec, as part of the eligibility criteria set by the funding body. The program aims to support the development of the bio-food sector in Quebec.

Companies must be based in Quebec, Canada.

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The evaluation and selection of projects for the SIAM grant focus on ensuring that each project aligns with the program's objectives and demonstrates the potential for significant impact within the Quebec market.

The capacity of the applicant to successfully execute the project.
The relevance and quality of the project, including the structured nature of the application, the applicant's level of preparedness, and the alignment between the proposed activities and the applicant's goals.
The demonstration of expected significant and realistic economic benefits for Quebec resulting from the project.
The development and implementation strategy is effectively documented, potentially supported by market studies, market access data, and a coherent marketing plan.

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Here are the steps to submit an application for the SIAM grant:

Step 1: Pre-qualification
Visit the Aliments du Québec website and click on Step 1.
Download, complete, and save the Prequalification Form and Financial Data.
Submit the completed forms by clicking the email address provided at the bottom of the form.
Ensure compliance with financial capacity and eligibility criteria, possibly providing external audited financial statements if requested.
Step 2: Submission of Complete Financial Aid Application
If pre-qualification is successful, receive and complete the Financial Aid Application Form and the Project Cost and Financial Setup Form sent by Aliments du Québec.
Prepare all required documents in French, including the signed application form, project timeline/steps, and business plan.
Compile other mandatory and context-specific documents, such as contracts or CVs for personnel involved in the project.
Step 3: Analysis of the Application
Submit all forms and necessary documents in one email to Aliments du Québec.
Wait for acknowledgment of receipt and then notification about the commencement of the application analysis.
Respond promptly to any additional requests for information or documents within a ten-day period if necessary.

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While the SIAM program is currently not accepting new applications due to the high volume received, here are additional relevant details for this grant:

The maximum funding rate may be increased up to 70% if projects exclusively target certified organic food products or the public institutional market.
The financial assistance is provided as a non-repayable contribution.
Applicants may request a review of a decision if they believe errors were made during the evaluation.
The assistance is disbursed in a maximum of two installments, contingent on the acceptance of deliverables by Aliments du Québec.