Social and Community Initiatives Support Program (SCISP) – Social Initiatives Component

• Maximum financial assistance of $75,000 per project per fiscal year.
• Funding covers up to 90% of total eligible project expenses.
• Government financial assistance from all sources, including tax credits and other programs, must not exceed 90% of eligible costs.
• Projects may be funded for up to 18 months, or up to 36 months for research projects, with possible extensions that do not increase the initial maximum amount granted.
• Financial contributions are disbursed in two or three instalments, depending on project nature, typically with a large initial payment and a final payment upon approval of the final report.

• The applicant must be a legally constituted non-profit organization or a recognized educational institution by the Quebec Ministry of Education or the Ministry of Higher Education.
• The project must focus on research, evaluation, training, or knowledge dissemination related to social initiatives.

Who is eligible?

• Legally constituted non-profit organizations
• Educational institutions recognized by the ministère de l’Éducation du Québec or the ministère de l'Enseignement supérieur

Who is not eligible

• For-profit businesses.
• Non-incorporated nonprofit organizations.
• Cooperatives (except family economy cooperative associations).
• Government ministries or agencies.
• Municipal organizations and regional county municipalities (MRCs).
• Organizations with partisan political, religious, union, or professional activities, as well as foundations focused mainly on fundraising and fund redistribution.
• Organizations listed on the Register of Enterprises Ineligible for Public Contracts (RENA).
• Organizations that have failed to meet obligations related to previous financial aid from the Ministry in the past two years after a formal notice.

Eligible expenses

• Necessary and directly related expenses for the execution of approved projects.
• Expenses for publishing and disseminating the results of research and evaluation projects.
• Salaries for human resources directly involved in implementing approved projects, provided wages are consistent with the organization’s usual rates for comparable positions and tasks.

Eligible geographic areas

• Quebec

• Pertinence of the project in relation to the responsibilities, objectives, and priorities of the Ministry, and complementarity with other funded projects.
• Realism and quality of project planning.
• Capacity of the organization to carry out the project, considering its expertise, that of its partners, and financial capacity.
• Expected outcomes and alignment with the specific objectives of the program.
• Potential for lasting impacts, innovation, and possible recurring funding after the grant period.

• The financial support provided under this program is non-recurring and cannot be used for an organization's regular activities or core mission.
• The duration standards for this program apply until March 31, 2027, and may be revised afterwards.
• No review of the decision can be requested once a funding decision has been issued by the Ministry.
• Funded projects already supported by the Fonds d’aide à l’action communautaire autonome, in whole or in part, are ineligible for this program.