Collaborative Innovation

Strategic sectors

This call for projects enables Quebec companies (start-ups and SMEs) to strengthen their innovation capabilities by carrying out a large-scale collaborative innovation project for the purpose of developing and/or marketing innovative solutions in strategic sectors.

Contact an advisor

Presentation

The aim of the call is to support large-scale, structuring collaborative innovation projects involving at least two Quebec companies (including at least one SME or startup), with or without the collaboration of one or more eligible Quebec public research centers, with a potential grant of up to $1,000,000 per project. Support from innovation zones is not mandatory, but priority will be given to projects aligned with the strategic axes of innovation zones (quantum, information technology and microelectronics, aerospace, energy transition).

A variety of partnership configurations are available for innovation projects, with priority given to multi-partner projects (involving more than two companies).

To be eligible, the consortium must include at least two Quebec companies, including one SME or startup.

The information on this page is intended as a brief summary of the main criteria for the call for projects. However, we invite you to read the guide to the call for projects in order to familiarize yourself with all the information and criteria issued by the Ministère de l’Économie, de l’Innovation, et de l’Énergie.

vortex linéaire

Key information

  • Maximum duration

    2 years (project to be completed by December 31, 2027 at the latest)

  • Program status

    Close

  • Target applicants

    Groups of companies with collaborative research projects in quantum technologies involving at least two Quebec companies (including at least one SME or startup).

  • Submission deadline

    Upcoming date

  • Administration fees

    5% of eligible expenses

  • Maximum financial support

    Up to $1 million per project

  • Funds management

    By the research center

Objectives

  • Carry out an innovation project involving the development of a new product or process, or the significant improvement of an existing product or process, from the planning stage through to the technological showcase stage;
  • Improve your company’s competitiveness and productivity;
  • Incorporate innovation into your solutions to give you a competitive edge;
  • Contribute to the development of innovative solutions in forward-looking technological sectors through collaborative innovation;
  • Contribute to positioning Quebec as a leader in responsible development.
sphère grise

Eligibility

Main criteria

Projects must relate to the following sectors or themes:

  • Quantum technologies ;
  • Aerospace sector ;
  • Digital technologies and microelectronics ;
  • Energy transition.
Eligible projects

Eligible projects are those aimed at developing an innovative solution (products, services or processes), from the planning stage through to pre-commercialization (real-life demonstration and technology showcase), and which demonstrate the potential for significant short-term benefits. The solution developed may be used to meet the company’s own needs, or may be intended for sale. Nevertheless, the innovation project must meet all the following criteria:

  • Involve the development of a new solution or the significant improvement of an existing one3;
  • Demonstrate the required degree of innovation, i.e. the solution must offer a decisive advantage over existing solutions on the market and in the targeted sector of activity, on a national or international scale;
  • Involve a technological and/or business risk or uncertainty for the company;
  • Have required research and development efforts;
  • When the product or process is intended for sale, the project must demonstrate commercial potential;
  • Respect one or more principles of the Sustainable Development Act (RLRQ, chapter D8.1.1).

Support for innovation zones

Support from innovation zones is not compulsory, but priority will be given to projects aligned with and supported by the strategic axes of the innovation zones identified above. A letter of support from the innovation zone must be provided for this purpose. This should confirm the project’s consistency with the innovation zone’s strategic orientations and research and innovation priorities, while highlighting the potential economic impact on the zone.

Key eligibility criteria for SMEs and startups*.
  • Be legally constituted under federal or Quebec law and registered with the Registraire des entreprises du Québec ;
  • Have their head office in Quebec and their employees or subcontractors must work mainly from Quebec;
  • 249 employees or less (SMEs) ;
  • Have an establishment in operation in Quebec for the production of goods and services or for internal research and development activities;
  • Not be 50% or more owned by other companies;
  • Own the rights to use the intellectual property of their product, process or service;
  • Assets under $50 million;
  • Have a French-language website.

In addition to the above criteria, startups must :

  • Be in the pre-marketing phase and have no significant sales;
  • Not have been created as part of a merger, restructuring, extension or takeover of pre-existing activities;
  • Be run by a founder or a team of founders, at least one of whom is dedicated full-time (35 hours or more per week);
  • At the time of application, startups must be supported by a Quebec-based incubator or accelerator4;
  • Devote a significant part of their resources to developing their business, from conception to marketing their product.

Partners who do not qualify as start-ups or SMEs may collaborate on projects involving at least one start-up or SME. See all eligibility criteria in the call for projects guide.

Terms and conditions

The Ministry’s contribution may not exceed $1 million per project, for a maximum duration of 24 months, ending no later than December 31, 2027 (no extensions will be accepted beyond this date). The maximum rate of financial assistance may not exceed 35% of eligible project expenses incurred by an SME or large company, and 50% of eligible expenses incurred by a startup.

In addition, the rate will be increased to 50%, regardless of the size of the company, if it incurs the following expenses required to carry out the project:

  • Expenses incurred by an eligible public research center if they represent at least 20% of the project’s eligible expenses;
  • Expenses for access to the PINQ2, Calcul Québec and DistriQ quantum computing platforms.

The amount of aid to be paid to each partner will be calculated according to its participation in the project, but no single company may receive more than 80% of the total grant awarded.

Maximum assistance for real-life demonstration and showcase projects.

A group of companies may not receive more than $350,000 for a project involving a real-life demonstration and a technology showcase.

Maximum innovation program grant per company, until March 31, 2027

Assistance granted to a company for all eligible stages and activities, from the program approval date to March 31, 2027, may reach a cumulative maximum of $1.5 million for all projects submitted.

(*) See all eligibility criteria on the Government of Quebec website.

vortex linéaire
Contact

Get in touch with an advisor

Fill out this form and the right Prompt team member will contact you as soon as possible.

Any questions?

Contact us!

"*" indicates required fields

Communications

Main Partner