CALL FOR PROJECTS – COLLABORATIVE AND STRUCTURING INNOVATION PROJECTS IN STRATEGIC SECTORS

COLLABORATIVE INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP SUPPORT

OBJECTIVES

This call for projects aims to strengthen the innovation capacities of companies, with priority given to startups and SMEs, at the various stages of their innovation projects. It has the following objectives:

• Support the implementation of innovation projects aimed at the development of a new product or process or the significant improvement of an existing product or process, from the planning stage to the technological showcase.
• Improving the competitiveness and productivity of businesses, particularly SMEs and startups.
• Contribute to the integration of innovation into solutions that will give businesses a competitive advantage and generate maximum economic benefits for Québec.
• Ensure the development and consolidation of innovation and development efforts in future technological sectors.
• Encourage collaboration between companies (of all sizes, including startups) as well as between them and the research and innovation communities, as well as municipalities and cities, to accelerate the development of innovative solutions in strategic sectors.
• Promote collaboration with partners in innovation zones and the implementation of projects that contribute to their strategic development priorities.
• Participate in Québec’s recognition as a leader in responsible development.

ELIGIBLE PROJECTS

Projects must focus the following sectors:

• quantum technologies;
• aerospace;
• digital and microelectronic technologies;
• energy transition.

For submission to PRIMA Québec, the proposed research and development project must be related to advanced materials.

Support from innovation zones is not mandatory, but priority will be given to projects aligned with the strategic axes of the innovation zones listed above and supported by them. If the project is supported by an innovation zone, a letter of support for the project from the latter must be provided. This letter will have to confirm the coherence of the project with the strategic orientations and research-innovation priorities of the innovation zone, while highlighting the potential economic benefits for the zone.

MAIN PROGRAM RULES

• A project is considered collaborative when a group of unaffiliated companies (at least two Québec companies, including at least one SME or startup) share the costs, benefits and intellectual property of the innovation project, with or without the collaboration of one or more eligible Québec public research centres.
• The contributions of each company may not be equivalent, but they must be deemed sufficient and equitable by Investissement Québec. However, no company will be able to benefit from more than 80% of the total subsidy granted.
• Projects submitted must be accompanied by an RSRI.
• The management and support of the consortium are entrusted to an RSRI, which coordinates the planning, monitoring and control of the project’s activities and costs, and reports on them to the government.
• The Ministry’s contribution cannot exceed $1,000,000 per project for a maximum period of 24 months ending no later than December 31, 2027 (no extensions will be accepted beyond this date).
• The maximum financial assistance rate cannot exceed 35% of eligible project expenses incurred by an SME or large company and 50% of eligible expenses incurred by a startup.
• The rate will be increased to 50%, regardless of the size of the company that incurs the following expenses necessary to carry out the project:
  • expenses incurred by an eligible public research centre if they represent at least 20% of the project’s eligible expenses;
  • expenses for access to the quantum computing platforms of PINQ2, Calcul Québec and Distriq.

The amount of assistance to be paid to each partner will be calculated based on their participation in the project, but no company will be able to receive more than 80% of the total grant awarded.

• Maximum amount of assistance for real-world demonstration and technology showcase projects: A consortium of enterprises may not receive more than $350,000 for a project involving a real-world demonstration of operation or use and a technology showcase.
• The total direct or indirect financial assistance must not exceed 75% of eligible expenses for carrying out the project, and such assistance may be received from ministries, agencies and Crown corporations of the governments of Québec and Canada, as well as from municipal entities that are not direct beneficiaries of the program.
• See the guide for more information.

RELEVANT DOCUMENTS

French version only, the application must be written in French

• Guide
• Letter of Intent
• Form (Download the PDF via Google Chrome and open it with Acrobat Reader to be able to complete it)
• Excel file of the budget and GANTT will be provided by the assigned advisor to accompany the project submission.
• Link to the call for proposals on the MEIE website

If you intend to submit a project, it is mandatory to contact an advisor before October 6, 2025. After this date, PRIMA reserves the right to refuse the submission by October 30 and send the application on the following submission date.

SCHEDULE

• Deadline for submission Letter of Intent: October 6, 2025, at 4 p.m.
• Deadline for submission by the RSRI to the MEIE: October 30, 2025, at 4 p.m.
• Next calls, deadline for submission by the RSRI to the MEIE: April 1, 2026