Support for mobilising projects

• Signed application form
• Financial statements and financial forecasts
• Project schedule or Gantt chart
• Required supporting documents listed in the guide
• Partnership agreement or offer of service, when applicable

Who is eligible?

• Private companies
• Universities
• Public research centres
• SMEs

Who is not eligible

This grant excludes certain companies and industries due to their status or main activity. The restrictions aim to ensure the integrity and appropriate allocation of funds for innovation projects.

• Companies listed on the Registre des entreprises non admissibles aux contrats publics (RENA).
• Organizations that failed to meet their obligations from previous financial aids within the past two years.
• State-owned enterprises or those directly/indirectly controlled by a government entity.
• Companies under the protection of the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act or the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act.
• Holding companies.
• Companies with ethical issues that could harm the image of the Quebec government.
• Businesses involved in arms production or distribution.
• Entities associated with fossil fuel activities, except those working towards a low-carbon transition.
• Businesses related to gambling, violent games, or combat sports involving living beings.
• Companies in the sexual exploitation business.
• Entities focusing on tobacco or drugs, except those related to cannabis and industrial hemp.
• Projects or activities primarily based on religion, politics, or advocacy protected by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Eligible expenses

The grant supports innovative projects across different phases, focusing on the development and commercialization of products or processes. The activities aim to ensure successful implementation while overcoming technological and business challenges.

• Conducting preliminary activities and studies essential for planning and executing the project, such as project setup with partners and market or technical studies.
• Validation of the concept to ensure feasibility and alignment with project goals.
• Development or improvement of a product or process through design, engineering, and prototyping.
• Testing and validating the product or process through prototype testing, pilot production trials, and laboratory demonstrations.
• Developing a commercialization plan and preparing for certification or homologation.
• Demonstrating the product or process in real operational situations outside of laboratories to scale up and finalize development.
• Setting up a technology showcase at a partner's site to mitigate potential clients' risk perceptions and facilitate the product or process's market entry.

Eligible geographic areas

• Quebec

The evaluation and selection of projects for this grant are based on specific criteria to align with the program's objectives and maximize impact.

• The project must demonstrate a significant level of innovation, offering a decisive advantage compared to existing market solutions and within the industry sector, both nationally and internationally.
• There must be a potential market for the developed product or process.
• The project should have robust intellectual property rights or a solid strategy to maintain a competitive advantage through intellectual property.
• Alignment of the project with the company’s business model is essential.
• The company's ability to successfully execute the project in terms of financial and human resources is evaluated.
• The quality of partners involved in the project is a consideration.
• The project implementation plan must be realistic and of high quality.
• The project should explicitly outline the risk levels and uncertainties involved.
• The financial structure and partner support are scrutinized.
• The project should have discernible benefits for either the company or its industry.
• The potential socioeconomic impacts of the project are considered.
• If applicable, the quality of service from a private consultant or eligible public research center is part of the evaluation.
• The project must align with the expertise and mission of an involved public research center, the company's business strategy, and the ministry's and sectoral priorities set by Investissement Québec.
• Consideration of sustainable development elements within the project plan is required.

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

• Step 1: Review Guidelines
  • Read the complete "Guide de présentation des demandes" to ensure understanding of all requirements.
• Step 2: Complete Application Form
  • Fill and sign the "Formulaire de demande d’aide financière".
• Step 3: Prepare Supporting Documents
  • Gather all required documents as outlined in Section 7 of the guide, including the signed application form and potentially other documents depending on the project specifics (e.g., financial statements, project diagrams, partnership agreements).
• Step 4: Submit Application
  • Send the complete application package electronically to aidefinanciere@invest-quebec.com.
  • Ensure all files are included to avoid the application being deemed incomplete.
• Step 5: Confirmation and Follow-up
  • Await confirmation of receipt from Investissement Québec.

• Applications are reviewed by the Ministère de l’Économie, de l’Innovation et de l’Énergie.
• The program is only available when a specific call for projects is open.
• Applications are not accepted on an ongoing basis.

Here are additional relevant details for this grant:

• The financial assistance provided is non-refundable.
• Projects with higher innovation levels and potential benefits are prioritized for funding, especially in the context of economic recovery.
• For collaborative projects involving multiple businesses, there are specific conditions regarding remuneration and contributions between parties.
• Private contributions in cash must cover at least 25% of eligible expenses, or 20% for social economy enterprises.
• Assistance can’t be combined with other financial aid from the Ministry of Economy and Innovation or Investissement Québec.
• Applications are continuously accepted and processed, but the financial aid must align with the budgetary availability.
• There is a maximum cap of $500,000 per company for the duration of the program.