
SIAM — Individual Market Access Support
grant_single|update April 18, 2025
QC, Canada
Market Access Support for Quebec Food Processors
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|fromMinToMax
- grant_single|projectCostPercent
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|grantStatusClosed
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Manufacturing
grant_single|grantors
- Aliments du Québec
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|closed
grant_single_labels|preview
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.
grant_single_labels|terms_and_conditions
- The maximum rate of financial assistance is 50 % of eligible expenses, which can be cumulatively increased up to 70 % in certain cases (organic: +10 % if the project focuses exclusively on certified organic products; public institutional market: +10 % if the project targets this market exclusively).
- The maximum amount allocated per applicant is $100,000 per twelve-month period.
grant_single_labels|projects
- Implementation of marketing and market development activities in Quebec's long distribution circuit.
- Accessing a new market (e.g., a company active in retail aiming to enter the restaurant or institutional market).
- Accessing a new market segment (e.g., a company present in one retail chain seeking entry into another retail chain).
- Expanding market share in Quebec to a larger scale of commercialization (e.g., expanding from several regional retail points to the entire network of a retail chain in Quebec).
- Product registry subscriptions and related services (e.g., GS1 Canada for the Répertoire des aliments québécois).
- Hiring or promoting a specialist in market development or marketing for up to one year.
- Acquisition of external market studies, survey design and implementation, data bank access, market tests, and in-store tastings.
- Content creation and adaptation related to marketing, including for media placement, promotions, and product or packaging adaptation for new markets or segments.
- Purchase of printing plates/matrices for packaging or label adaptation for new markets or segments.
- Media placement and advertising in collaboration with retailers, on social media, or online sales platforms.
- Professional fees for influencers, brand ambassadors, or social media management/animation.
- Listing fees for launching a new product in a retail chain.
- External services for business development, including updating commercialization strategies, trademark registration, association memberships, website development, online sales platforms, and hiring external merchandisers or business development specialists.
- Participation in professional and major industry trade shows (in-person or virtual), including registration, booth setup, and direct promotional activities.
- Subscription and access to the Quebec government's electronic tendering system (SEAO) and related services, including professional fees for business development related to tenders.
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$ 100,000
Expanding distribution of Quebec organic juices in major retail
grant_single_labels|admissibility
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.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
- Food processing companies operating in Quebec
- Agri-food processors with an operational establishment in Quebec
- Companies outsourcing their food processing in Quebec (under certain conditions)
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
- 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.
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
- 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.
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
- Quebec
grant_single_labels|criteria
- Applicant's capacity to carry out the project.
- Relevance and quality of the project, including:Structured nature of the application and applicant's level of preparation.
- Alignment between proposed activities and the applicant’s objectives.
- Demonstration of tangible and realistic outcomes for Quebec.
- Demonstration that the project supports the specific objectives of SIAM.
- Coherence of the project with the business plan (e.g., alignment with company mission, fit with business lifecycle stage).
- Realism of the project budget in relation to company revenue (total cost of the project should not exceed 16% of revenue; otherwise, the project's feasibility and seriousness may be questioned).
- Submission of supporting documents (such as business plans, strategic plans, market studies) to demonstrate the project’s preparation and structure.
- Recency and relevance of the business plan, including an updated SWOT analysis and growth strategy.
- Realistic timeline and budget planning for project implementation.
grant_single_labels|apply
1
2
3
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
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.
grant_single_labels|contact
siam@alimentsduquebec.com
Apply to this program
More grants like this

Grant and Fundinggrant_card_status|openingSoon
Support program for regional agriculture and agri-food development

Grant and Fundinggrant_card_status|open
Support for Quebec's food processing digital transformation initiative

Grant and Fundinggrant_card_status|openingSoon
SEB supports Quebec agri-food market expansion outside Quebec

Grant and Fundinggrant_card_status|open
DÉPART supports economic diversification and growth in targeted areas

Grant and Fundinggrant_card_status|open
Supports industrial productivity through advanced technology funding

Grant and Fundinggrant_card_status|open
Grant program supports strategic consultancy for business growth

Grant and Fundinggrant_card_status|open
Digital transformation support program for Quebec's food processors

Grant and Fundinggrant_card_status|closed
Enhancing productivity through food industry automation assistance

Grant and Fundinggrant_card_status|open
Financial assistance for the demonstration of new technologies in Quebec

Partnering and CollaborationGrant and Fundinggrant_card_status|open
Québec biofood sector innovation and knowledge transfer grant