How much funding can be received?

The Territorial and Sectoral Development Program — Stream 2.1 provides non-repayable financial assistance of up to $250,000 per project to support priority development initiatives within Quebec's agri-food sector. The program funds activities that advance strategic sector objectives, including the realization of key projects identified in regional agri-food action plans.

Financing terms and conditions

Non-repayable financial contribution covering up to 80% of eligible project expenses.
Minimum financial assistance per project: $5,000.
Maximum financial assistance per project: $250,000.
Total maximum financial assistance per applicant over the program duration: $2 million.
Applicants and their partners must contribute at least 20% of eligible project expenses, with a minimum of 10% in cash for the portion of assistance exceeding $50,000.

Eligible projects & activities

Projects that prioritize the development of the agri-food sector, as outlined in sectoral strategic action plans.
Initiatives that address urgent issues or prevent significant problems for the agri-food sector, provided they align with strategic objectives.
Projects that have substantial potential positive impacts for the agri-food sector in Quebec and contribute to targeted sectoral goals.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 45,000

Installing energy-efficient LED lighting for upgraded manufacturing operations

$ 95,000

Launching a worker cooperative to operate an independent bookstore café

$ 55,000

Implementing bilingual digital booking system for community arts centre

$ 98,000

Purchasing accessible vans for inclusive transportation of seniors

$ 35,000

Setting up an e-commerce website for local indigenous pottery artists

$ 65,000

Upgrading community kitchen facilities for local food initiatives

Eligibility criteria of the Territorial and sectoral development program — Stream 2.1 program

The applicant must have an active establishment located in Quebec.
The applicant must be either a sectoral consultation structure, an association or group of businesses in the agri-food sector, a research institution, or a technology transfer establishment.
The project must support the achievement of strategic planning objectives for the agri-food sector and target priority projects as defined in the sector's action plan.

Who is eligible?

Sectoral consultation structures in the agri-food sector
Associations or groups of companies in the agri-food sector
Research institutes
Technology transfer organizations

Who is not eligible

Government ministries, budgetary and non-budgetary public agencies, and Crown corporations (including entities controlled by provincial or federal governments).
Municipal entities.
Financial cooperatives and banking institutions.
Applicants or subcontractors listed on the Register of Enterprises Ineligible for Public Contracts (RENA).
Companies that have defaulted on previous financial aid agreements with the Ministry or are under bankruptcy or insolvency protection.

Eligible expenses

Professional and contractual fees required for project execution.
Salaries for personnel directly involved in the project, for the time dedicated to the project's realization.
Social charges related to project personnel, up to a flat rate of 26% of salary (higher rates require justification).
Communication expenses related to the project.
Acquisition of data necessary for the project.
Costs for the use or rental of materials, equipment, rooms, buildings, or land directly linked to the project.
Purchase, delivery, and installation costs of new or used materials and equipment from a supplier, with a minimum three-month warranty (up to $100,000 per project in financial aid).
Laboratory analysis fees required for the project.
Administrative expenses up to 15% of the financial assistance granted.
Travel and accommodation costs for the applicant and partners, according to government rates.

Eligible geographic areas

Companies with operations located in Quebec.

Eligibility criteria of the Territorial and sectoral development program — Stream 2.1 program

Clarity of the problem statement and project description.
Quality of the project implementation approach.
Alignment between project tasks and the expertise of the implementation team.
Level of contribution and participation from various stakeholders in the project.
Technical and financial feasibility of the project.
Extent of positive impacts on the development of the agri-food sector.
Relevance of deliverables and planned dissemination activities.

How to apply to the Territorial and sectoral development program — Stream 2.1 program

Step 1: Obtain Grant DocumentationAccess the required documents for a complete application on the program’s official webpage (Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food).
Step 2: Prepare Application MaterialsFill out the financial assistance application form in French.
Prepare a detailed cost and financing structure.
Attach financial statements for the past two years (not required for municipal entities).
Include a detailed service offer if using professional or contractual services valued at $2,500 or more, before taxes.
Provide a quote for equipment purchases valued at $2,500 or more, before taxes.
If required, secure a power of attorney or board resolution authorizing the signatory to apply for the grant on behalf of the organization.
Step 3: Optional SupportIf needed, request pre-application support by contacting the sectorial manager responsible for your sector to benefit from guidance before submitting your request.
Step 4: Submit the ApplicationSend the complete set of required documents in a single email, in French, to: pdts.sectoriel@mapaq.gouv.qc.ca
Step 5: Acknowledgment of ReceiptThe Ministry will send an acknowledgment of receipt upon receiving your application.
If additional information or documents are needed, the Ministry will request it by email.
Step 6: Eligibility ReviewThe Ministry will verify the completeness and eligibility of your application.
If eligible, you will receive a confirmation of admissibility. If incomplete or ineligible, the Ministry will notify you in writing, and your file will be closed.
Step 7: Project EvaluationEligible and complete applications will be assessed based on set selection criteria relevant to the program objectives.
Step 8: Funding DecisionThe Ministry will notify you by letter whether your project is approved or denied.
If approved, you will receive a financial assistance agreement to sign, establishing the terms and conditions for the execution of your project and the disbursement of funds.
If denied, you will receive a refusal letter.
Step 9: Request for Review (if applicable)If you wish to contest the evaluation decision, you may request a review within 20 working days from the communication date.

Additional information

All application documents must be completed in French, except for specific exceptions outlined in the Charter of the French Language.
The financial assistance is a non-repayable contribution.
The maximum cumulative financial assistance a single applicant can receive for the duration of the program is $2 million.
Applicants can request accompanying support from the Ministry prior to submitting their application; however, this support does not guarantee approval.