Program Overview
The call for projects is open to SMEs established and operating in Quebec that have the human, technical, and financial resources necessary to carry out an innovative production or research and development project. It supports collaborative industrial research projects with strong potential to reduce GHG emissions.
Key Information
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Maximum duration
2 years
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Target applicants
SMEs (250 employees or fewer)
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Submission deadline
Letter of Intent: September 22, 2026. Full Application: November 2, 2026
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Administration fees
5% of eligible expenses, up to a maximum of $50,000
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Maximum financial support
The maximum financial assistance may cover 50% of the total project cost, up to $450,000 per project
Program Goals
- Encourage the emergence of innovative technologies and practices that will enable Quebec to make faster progress toward its GHG emission reduction goals;
- Promote the implementation of new technologies that would reduce GHG emissions;
- Mobilize businesses around collaborative innovation projects aimed at discovering solutions to reduce GHG emissions;
- Support the development of intellectual property related to new technologies aimed at reducing GHG emissions;
- Strengthen the adoption of clean technologies by businesses;
- Stimulate investment in innovation focused on reducing GHG emissions.
Eligibility
Eligible Businesses
The application must be submitted by:
- An SME (250 employees or fewer), incorporated under applicable federal or Quebec laws, registered with the Quebec Enterprise Registry, with a place of business in Quebec AND production and/or R&D activities in Quebec;
- It must not be controlled by one or more large national or international companies (e.g., less than 50% ownership).
Eligible Partners
- Businesses of all sizes incorporated under current federal or Quebec laws and registered with the Quebec Enterprise Registry, with a place of business in Quebec AND engaged in production and/or RSDE activities in Quebec;
- Non-profit organizations (NPOs) or cooperatives incorporated under applicable federal or Quebec laws, registered with the Quebec Enterprise Registry, AND engaged in production and/or RSDE activities in Quebec;
- Hydro-Québec and its subsidiaries;
- A public entity (municipality, government department, transit authority, etc.).
Eligible Projects
Projects eligible for the SME GHG Reduction initiative must:
- Demonstrate strong potential for reducing GHG emissions in Quebec, with a minimum potential of 100,000 metric metric tons of CO2 equivalent reduced or avoided in Quebec during the first ten years following the commercialization of the product, technology, or innovation;
- Be submitted by an SME established in Quebec that conducts internal production or R&D activities there;
- Be carried out in collaboration with another Quebec-based company or an eligible end-user;
- Focus on the development of a new product or process, or on the significant improvement of an existing product or process;
- Involve the necessary level of innovation, meaning that the product or process must offer a decisive advantage over existing solutions on the market and within the industry at the national or international level;
- Involve a technological or business risk or uncertainty for the SME;
- Demonstrate significant commercial potential or potential for deployment when the product or process is intended for sale;
- Be of a one-time nature.
Program Terms
- Maximum funding is $450,000 per year per project;
- Maximum financial assistance may cover up to 50% of the total project cost;
- The lead SME must contribute at least 20% of eligible project expenses;
- The maximum project duration is 2 years;
- Funding is granted to the lead SME;
- Administration fees equal to 5% of the total eligible expenses apply.
- Only funding applications submitted in French are eligible for consideration by the Ministry.
Download the program guide (In French Only)
