Call for innovation projects in artificial intelligence and quantum technologies

This call for projects is part of the Innovation program and is aimed at all Quebec companies, with priority given to SMEs and innovative companies with high growth potential ( startups ) that wish to carry out an innovation project for the purpose of developing, marketing or adopting artificial intelligence and quantum technologies. Its objectives are:

• to improve the competitiveness of businesses through the adoption of responsible AI solutions and quantum technologies, particularly in sectors where they are still little used, such as the primary and secondary sectors of the economy;
• to ensure the development and consolidation of innovation efforts in the field of responsible AI and quantum technologies;
• to encourage collaboration between companies (of all sizes, including startups ) as well as with research and innovation communities to accelerate the integration of responsible AI and quantum technologies in business circles and, by extension, in society;
• to support structuring projects which aim for the structuring adoption of responsible AI solutions and quantum technologies in one or more sectors of the economy.

Goals

• Improving the competitiveness of businesses through the adoption of responsible AI and quantum technologies, particularly in sectors where it is still little used, such as the primary and secondary sectors of the economy.
• Ensure the development and consolidation of innovation efforts in the field of responsible AI and quantum technologies.
• Encourage collaborations between companies of all sizes, including innovative companies with high growth potential ( startups ), as well as with research and innovation communities to accelerate the integration of responsible AI and quantum technologies in business and society.
• Support structuring projects that aim for the structuring adoption of responsible AI solutions and quantum technologies in one or more sectors of the economy.
• Support the implementation of projects leading to significant and immediate economic benefits.
• Contribute to Quebec’s positioning as a leader in the development of responsible AI and quantum technologies.

Eligibility

Eligible customers

Eligible are consortia of Quebec businesses and cooperatives made up of at least one SME or one business with high growth potential.

Eligible startups

To be eligible as a startup , companies must meet the following criteria:

• Be legally constituted according to the federal or Quebec laws in force and registered with the Quebec Enterprise Registrar.
• Have their head office in Quebec and employees or subcontractors who work mainly in Quebec.
• Have 250 employees or less in Quebec.
• Not belong, in a proportion of 50% or more, to other existing companies or organizations.
• Not having been created as part of a concentration, restructuring, extension of pre-existing activities or a takeover of such activities.
• Be led by a founder or a team of founders, at least one of whom is dedicated to it full-time (35 hours or more per week).
• Own the rights to use the intellectual property of their product, process or service.
• When submitting their application, receive support from an eligible business incubator or accelerator.
• Have an establishment in operation in Quebec intended for the production of goods and services or for internal research and development activities.
• Have assets of less than $50 million.
• Dedicate a significant portion of their resources to developing their business, from the design and development of their product or process to marketing.

Eligible incubators and accelerators

For artificial intelligence projects, eligible incubators and accelerators are:

• Technology Business Creation Accelerator (ACET);
• Centech;
• Creative Destruction Lab (CDL);
• District3;
• NextAI.

For quantum technology projects, eligible incubators and accelerators are:

• Centech;
• Technology Business Creation Accelerator (ACET);
• Creative Destruction Lab (CDL);
• Quantino;
• QV Studio.

Eligible SMEs

To be eligible as an SME, businesses must meet the following characteristics:

• Be legally constituted according to the federal or Quebec laws in force and registered with the Quebec Enterprise Registrar.
• Have their head office in Quebec and employees or subcontractors who work mainly in Quebec.
• Have 250 employees or less in Quebec.
• Not belong, in a proportion of 50% or more, to other existing companies or organizations.
• Have an establishment in operation in Quebec intended for the production of goods and services or for internal research and development activities.
• Own the rights to use the intellectual property of their product, process or service.
• Have assets (including the assets of associated companies), calculated on a worldwide basis, for their taxable year ending in the calendar year preceding the given calendar year, of less than $50 million.

Eligible large businesses

In order to be eligible for a structuring and large-scale project, companies that do not qualify as startups or SMEs must meet the following criteria:

• Be legally constituted according to the federal or Quebec laws in force and registered with the Quebec Enterprise Registrar.
• Have their head office in Quebec and employees or subcontractors who work mainly in Quebec.
• Have an establishment in operation in Quebec intended for the production of goods and services or for internal research and development activities.

The management of the consortium is entrusted to a sectoral grouping of industrial 

 research (RSRI), except for projects resulting from the Confiance AI initiative, which coordinates the planning, monitoring and control of the activities and costs of the project in order to report to the government.

Eligible projects

Eligible projects are those that aim to develop an innovative solution (products, services or processes) using AI or quantum technologies, from the planning stage to pre-commercialization (real-world demonstration), and that demonstrate the potential for significant short-term benefits. The solution developed may be intended for organizational improvement or for sale. However, the innovation project must meet all of the following criteria:

• Focus on the development of a new solution or the significant improvement of an existing solution.
• Demonstrate the required degree of innovation, i.e. the solution must present a decisive advantage over existing solutions on the market and in the targeted sector of activity, on a national or international scale.
• Involve technological and/or business risk or uncertainty for the company.
• Required research and development efforts.
• Demonstrate commercial potential (if the solution is intended for sale).
• Respect one or more principles of the Sustainable Development Act (RLRQ, chapter D-8.1.1).

To be eligible, artificial intelligence projects must focus on the following topics or themes:

• Projects carried out within the framework of the AI ​​Confidence initiative.
• Projects focusing on the ethical and responsible use of artificial intelligence, sustainable development and data governance.
• Structuring projects aimed at the adoption of AI solutions by an economic sector (priority given to the following sectors: agriculture and fishing including the food processing sector; forestry and hunting; energy, natural resources, mining and quarrying; construction and infrastructure; manufacturing and fabrication; aerospace; frontline health).

Approach

Read the guide relating to the call for projects  (PDF 920 KB) .

Complete the financial assistance application form  (PDF 2.62 MB) and check that all documents comply with the requirements of the call for projects.

Send, in a single shipment, an electronic version of the mandatory documents, duly completed and signed, to the RSRI in your sector .

RSRIs and companies in the Confiance AI consortium must submit project proposals by April 15, 2025 at 4 p.m. 

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