Support for innovation projects
QC, Canada
Funding for product and process innovations in Quebec
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|maxCount
- grant_single|projectCostPercent
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|timelineUnspecified
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- grant_single|allIndustries
grant_single|grantors
- Investissement Québec (IQ)
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|closed
grant_single_labels|preview
Get up to $350,000 to cover 75% of the costs of project planning, R&D, technology validation and technological showcase activities relating to the development of innovative products or processes.
grant_single_labels|projects
Yes, there are various projects and activities eligible for this grant, including those focused on innovation, development, and commercialization.
- Preliminary and necessary studies and activities for project planning and execution
- Concept validation
- Product or process development and improvement, including design, engineering, and prototyping
- Testing and validation of the product or process
- Elaboration of a commercialization plan and steps for certification and homologation
- Real-life operational demonstration to scale or finalize the development of the product or process
- Technological showcase for demonstrating or using the product or process in real-life conditions
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$300,000
Vancouver
Innovative waste recycling system to reduce landfill use in Vancouver.
$337,500
Toronto
Development of a smart irrigation system to improve water efficiency in urban gardens in Toronto.
$350,000
Montreal
Creating a new vaccine production process to improve public health in Montreal.
$262,500
Calgary
Technological showcase for a renewable energy storage system in Calgary.
$225,000
Halifax
Testing and validation of new biodegradable packaging materials in Halifax.
$337,500
Ottawa
Developing a prototype for a smart home energy management system in Ottawa.
grant_single_labels|admissibility
The grant supports innovative projects aimed at the development of new or the significant improvement of existing products or processes, and favors projects with the highest potential impact and innovation. To be eligible, projects must meet specific criteria related to innovation, risk, research, and commercialization potential.
- The project must focus on developing a new product or process or significantly improving an existing one.
- The project must present a notable advantage over existing solutions in the market and sector, on a national or international level.
- The project must involve a technological or business risk for the company.
- Research and development efforts must be required or have been undertaken for the project.
- For products or processes intended for sale, the project must demonstrate commercial potential.
- The company must be legally constituted under the laws of Quebec or Canada and have an operational establishment in Quebec.
- Certain types of companies, such as state-owned enterprises or those involved in prohibited activities (e.g., production of arms or gambling), are not eligible.
- The project must be carried out by an individual company, a consortium, or a partnership involving a public research center.
- The project must generate significant economic and technological benefits for Quebec.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
Yes, there are eligible types of companies for this grant. The grant is open to legally constituted companies based in Quebec or Canada that are involved in various sectors and have an establishment in Quebec.
- Legally constituted companies in Quebec or Canada with an establishment in Quebec
- Social economy enterprises as defined by the Law on the Social Economy
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
Yes, there are specific types of companies that are not eligible for this grant.
- Companies listed in the Register of Enterprises Ineligible for Public Contracts (RENA).
- Companies that failed to meet obligations to the Ministry of Economy and Innovation or Investissement Québec in the last two years.
- State-owned enterprises or those controlled by a government entity.
- Companies under protection of the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act or the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act.
- Holding companies.
- Companies with unethical conduct tarnishing the integrity of the Québec government.
- Companies involved in the production or distribution of weapons.
- Companies involved in fossil fuel activities such as petroleum and thermal coal extraction, except for transitions to a low-carbon economy.
- Enterprises engaged in gambling, violent games, combat sports involving any living species, races, or similar activities.
- Businesses involved in sexual exploitation such as erotic bars, escort agencies, erotic massage parlors, or swinger clubs.
- Companies involved in the production, sale, or services related to tobacco or drugs, except cannabis and industrial hemp.
- Activities primarily focused on subjects protected by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (religion, politics, rights advocacy, etc.).
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
Yes, there are eligible expenses for this grant. The eligible expenses are detailed below:
- Professional fees for specialized services, including those from public research centers.
- Subcontracting services.
- Direct labor costs related to the project, including social benefits and mandatory contributions.
- Travel and accommodation expenses linked to the project, including those of potential clients attending demonstrations.
- Direct material and stock costs.
- Direct equipment costs, calculated proportionally to the project duration and equipment lifespan.
- Equipment rental costs.
- Costs for the acquisition of studies or other documentation.
- Animal facility and platform fees.
- Expenses for preparing an intellectual property protection strategy and obtaining intellectual property rights or licenses.
- Fees for obtaining necessary commercial certifications or approvals.
- Costs of participating in exhibitions or salons to attract potential clients to a technological showcase.
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
The eligible geographic zones for this grant are limited to entities within the provincial jurisdiction of Quebec in Canada.
- Enterprises legally constituted under the laws of Quebec or Canada
- Enterprises with an active establishment in Quebec
- Social economy enterprises defined by the Quebec's social economy law
grant_single_labels|criteria
The evaluation and selection process for this grant involves a rigorous analysis of the innovation project's unique advantages, market potential, alignment with business models, and several other criteria necessary for its successful implementation and socio-economic impact.
- The innovative character of the project, presenting a significant advantage over existing solutions.
- The potential market of the product or process.
- The solidity of intellectual property rights and the strategy for maintaining a competitive edge.
- The relevance of the project to the company's business model.
- The company's capacity to successfully execute the project, including financial and human resources.
- The quality of the partners involved in the project.
- The quality and realism of the project implementation plan.
- The level of risk and uncertainty associated with the project.
- The financing structure and the support from partners.
- The potential impacts on the company or its sector.
- The potential socio-economic impacts.
- The quality of the service offer from private consultants or eligible public research centers, if applicable.
- The alignment with the expertise and mission of the eligible public research center, if applicable, as well as with the business strategy of the company and sectoral priorities established by Investissement Québec.
- The incorporation of sustainable development elements into the project plan.
grant_single_labels|register
- Step 1: Read the Guide
- Ensure to thoroughly read the complete Guide to Applications.
- Step 2: Fill Out the Application Form
- Complete and sign the Innovation program form, stream 1 Support for innovation projects – Financial assistance request.
- Step 3: Gather Required Documents
- Collect all necessary documents listed in the guide, particularly in section 7.
- Examples of necessary documents include:
- Completed and signed financial assistance request form.
- Financial statements of the last two years or forecasted financial statements for start-ups.
- Diagram of the project schedule and budget.
- Partnership agreement for technology showcase projects.
- Letters confirming participation from each participating enterprise in collaborative projects.
- Service offers from public research centers if applicable.
- Service offers from selected patent agents for intellectual property protection projects.
- Step 4: Submit the Application
- Send the completed application form and required documents electronically to aidefinanciere@invest-quebec.com.
- Step 5: Await Admissibility and Assessment
- The application will be processed and analyzed on a continuous basis, ensuring budget availability and adherence to the program's standards.
- Incomplete or non-compliant applications will be deemed inadmissible.
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
Here are additional miscellaneous details about the grant:
- Applications must be submitted electronically to aidefinanciere@invest-quebec.com in French.
- Projects must present an advantage determinative over existing market solutions.
- Admittances include conformity to specific laws and non-affiliation with certain unethical activities.
- The maximum project duration is five years.
- Regular project reports and justifying documentation are required during the project's execution.
- The financial support granted is non-repayable and varies between 30% and 50% of the eligible expenses.
grant_single_labels|contact
soutien.aidefinanciere@invest-quebec.com
Apply to this program
Innovative Project Support Grant Overview
The Innovative Project Support Grant, provided by Investissement Québec and the Ministry of Economy and Innovation, aims to bolster the innovation capacities of Quebec businesses, particularly SMEs, across various stages of their innovation projects. This grant offers financial assistance to eligible projects that focus on developing new products or processes or significantly improving existing ones.
Detailed Explanation of the Innovative Project Support Grant
The Innovative Project Support Grant is an integral part of the Quebec government's strategy to maintain the competitiveness and growth of its economy. Recognizing the pivotal role of innovation in economic and social development, this grant is designed to address some of the key challenges faced by businesses, especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in their innovation journey.
In an effort to streamline access to financing and assistance for businesses, the grant offers a cohesive financial support structure that helps companies from the research and development stage to the technological showcase phase. The grant is not only a means to reduce financial barriers but also a way to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of public funds allocated to innovation.
Eligibility Criteria for Businesses
To qualify for the Innovative Project Support Grant, businesses must meet specific criteria:
- Businesses or business groups from all sectors legally constituted under Quebec or Canadian laws must have an operational establishment in Quebec.
- Social economy enterprises must adhere to the definitions outlined in the Social Economy Act (RLRQ, chapter E-1.1.1).
However, certain entities are excluded from eligibility:
- Businesses listed in the Register of Enterprises Ineligible for Public Contracts (RENA), including subcontractors listed in RENA.
- Entities that have failed to honor past financial obligations to the Ministry of Economy and Innovation or Investissement Québec.
- State-controlled enterprises or those majority-owned by state enterprises.
- Businesses under creditor protection or bankruptcy.
- Holding companies and entities involved in specific controversial industries (e.g., arms production, fossil fuel extraction, gambling, and activities related to sexual exploitation).
Project Eligibility
Eligible projects must aim to develop a new product/process or significantly improve an existing one. The essential criteria include:
- The project must demonstrate a notable innovation level, providing significant advantages over current market solutions.
- Projects must inherently involve technological or business risks.
- Research and development efforts must underpin the project.
- If the product/process is for sale, it must exhibit commercial potential.
Stages and Activities Covered
The grant covers a wide array of stages and activities integral to innovation projects:
- Preliminary activities and studies essential for project planning and execution, including technical, market, and financial studies.
- Concept validation to ensure feasibility.
- Product/process development or improvement, focusing on design, engineering, and prototyping.
- Testing and validation in controlled environments, including prototype tests and pilot production runs.
- Developing commercialization plans, including strategies for intellectual property protection.
- Demonstrations in real operational situations and technological showcases, where products are demonstrated to potential clients under real-world conditions.
The distinction between "demonstration" and "technological showcase" is critical. Demonstrations involve scaling and final stages of development, while showcases involve products ready for commercialization with only minor adjustments, intended to mitigate perceived risks for potential clients.
Eligible and Ineligible Expenditures
Eligible expenditures encompass a range of costs directly associated with executing the innovation project:
- Professional fees for specialized services.
- Subcontracted services.
- Direct labor costs, including social benefits and mandatory contributions.
- Travel and accommodation expenses associated with project execution and client visits to showcases.
- Direct material, stock, and equipment costs, including rental costs.
- Acquisition of studies, documentation, and intellectual property-related fees.
- Homologation and certification fees required for commercialization.
- Participation costs in exhibitions and fairs to promote the project.
The grant limits non-financial contributions (in-kind expenses) to 10% of total eligible project costs and explicitly excludes expenses incurred before the application, normal operational costs, debt servicing, recurring fees, and certain other non-project-specific expenditures.
Financial Assistance Details
Financial support through this grant comes in the form of non-repayable contributions. The assistance rates vary:
- Up to 30% of eligible expenditures for projects by a single enterprise, with a maximum of $100,000 per project.
- Up to 50% for collaborative projects, with a maximum of $150,000 per enterprise.
- Up to 50% for real-world demonstration projects or showcases, with a maximum of $350,000 per project.
The overall maximum assistance an enterprise can receive during the program's duration (March 16, 2022, to March 31, 2024) is $500,000. Contributions must come from private funds (minimum 25% of eligible expenses) or via financial levers from institutions. Social economy enterprises have an adjusted minimum of 20% from private contributions.
The aid cannot be combined with other financial assistance from the Ministry of Economy and Innovation or Investissement Québec.
Application Procedure and Required Documentation
Applications are accepted on a continuous basis and must be submitted electronically in French. Essential documents include:
- A completed and signed application form.
- Financial statements from the past two years and financial projections for the next two years.
- A Gantt chart or project timeline with budget allocations.
- For demonstration or showcase projects, a partnership agreement with the host entity.
- For collaborative projects, confirmation letters from participant enterprises and individual project budgets.
- Service offers from research centers or intellectual property agents, as applicable.
Additionally, applicants may be required to provide supporting documents such as a francization certificate, evidence of equal access programs, partner contribution letters, and detailed project plans.
Conclusion
The Innovative Project Support Grant represents a substantial opportunity for Quebec businesses to advance their innovation projects with financial backing and strategic support. By meeting eligibility criteria and effectively presenting their project proposals, businesses can leverage this grant to foster growth, enhance competitiveness, and contribute significantly to Quebec's economic vitality.
