PARTENAR IA

Call for Projects in Artificial Intelligence Innovation: Collaborative Industrial Research and Entrepreneurship Support

This call for projects is aimed at business groups wishing to carry out an innovation, research and development project in artificial intelligence (AI), with the possibility of collaborating with a public research centre.

The Opportunity:

This call for projects is aimed at SMEs and start-ups wishing to carry out an innovation project for the development and commercialisation of artificial intelligence technologies:

Maximum assistance of $1,500,000
The financial assistance rate is a maximum of 35% of eligible expenses incurred by an SME or large business, and 50% of eligible expenses incurred by a start-up. In addition, the rate will be increased to 50%, regardless of the size of the business, for 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 quantum computing through PINQ2, Calcul Québec and DistriQ.

Application deadline: October 30, 2025, at noon.

Objectives

As part of this call for projects, the InnovÉÉ team will support businesses, in collaboration with research centres, through the various stages of structuring and carrying out their artificial intelligence (AI) projects, pursuing the following objectives:

Improve the competitiveness of businesses through the adoption of responsible AI and quantum technologies, particularly in sectors where they are still underused, 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 collaboration between businesses of all sizes, including innovative companies with strong growth potential (start-ups), as well as with research and innovation communities, to accelerate the integration of responsible AI and quantum technologies into business and society.
Support structuring projects aimed at the broad adoption of responsible AI and quantum technology solutions in one or more sectors of the economy.
Support projects that lead to significant, immediate economic benefits.
Contribute to positioning Québec as a leader in the development of responsible AI and quantum technologies.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligible applicants are consortiums of Québec businesses and cooperatives made up of at least one SME or company with strong growth potential (start-up).
Eligible projects are those aimed at developing an innovative solution (product, service or process) using AI or quantum technologies, from the planning stage through to pre-commercialisation (real-world demonstration), and that demonstrate the potential for significant short-term benefits. The solution developed may be intended for organisational improvement or for sale. However, the innovation project must meet all of the following criteria:

Involve the development of a new solution or a significant improvement to an existing solution.
Demonstrate the required degree of innovation, meaning that the solution must offer a decisive advantage over existing solutions on the market and in the targeted industry, whether at a national or international level.
Carry a technological and/or business risk or uncertainty for the business.
Have required research and development efforts.
Demonstrate commercial potential (if the solution is intended for sale).
Comply with one or more principles of the Sustainable Development Act (CQLR, chapter D‑8.1.1).
To be eligible, artificial intelligence projects must address the following topics or themes:
Projects carried out as part of the Confiance IA initiative.
Projects related to 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 fisheries, including food processing; forestry and hunting; energy, natural resources, mining extraction and quarrying; construction and infrastructure; manufacturing; aerospace; primary healthcare).

For more details, please contact us or consult this link.

This program is offered in collaboration with IVADO, catalyst for the AI of today and tomorrow

IVADO is Canada's largest artificial intelligence consortium and a major international player, whose primary mission is to build and promote robust, reasoning and responsible artificial intelligence: the IAR3 project. With close to 120 industry members and more than 600 collaborative research projects carried out since its creation, IVADO has developed unique expertise in supporting AI projects and builds ties with the academic community to advance digital innovation within organisations.