CALL FOR PROJECTS IN ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND QUANTUM TECHNOLOGIES

CALL FOR INNOVATION PROJECTS FROM CONSORTIA IN ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE: INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH IN COLLABORATION

For academic projects, see the general call for projects page.

OBJECTIVES OF THE CALL FOR PROJECTS

This call for projects pursues the following objectives:

Improve the competitiveness of companies by adopting 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;
Ensure the development and consolidation of innovation efforts in the field of responsible AI and quantum technologies;
Encourage collaboration between companies (of all sizes, including startups), as well as with the research and innovation communities to accelerate the integration of responsible AI and quantum technologies in business circles and, by extension, in society;
Support structuring projects that aim for the structuring adoption of responsible AI solutions and the adoption of quantum technologies in one or more sectors of the economy;
Support the implementation of projects leading to significant and immediate economic benefits;
Contribute to Québec’s positioning as a leader in the development of responsible AI and quantum technologies.

This call for projects is part of the Innovation Program and is aimed at all Québec companies, with priority given to SMEs and startups that wish to carry out an innovation project for the development, commercialization or adoption of AI and quantum technologies [1].

The call aims to support structuring and large-scale collaborative innovation projects that involve at least two Québec companies (including at least one SME or startup), with or without the collaboration of one or more eligible public research centers in Québec, which can obtain a grant of up to $1,500,000 per project.

The call supports various partnership configurations necessary for the realization of innovation projects in responsible AI and quantum technologies, with priority given to multi-partner projects (more than two companies) and projects in collaboration with eligible public research centers.

[1] The target domains for quantum technology projects are listed in Appendix A of the MEIE guide.

ELIGIBLE PROJECTS

For a submission to PRIMA Québec, the proposed research and development project must focus on the themes of the artificial intelligence and quantum technologies call in addition to being related to advanced materials.

Projects submitted must be supported by an RSRI, in collaboration with IVADO for AI projects, or by the AI Confidence initiative.

MAIN PROGRAM RULES

The project must be submitted by the company coordinating the project.

Call details :

[1] The target domains for quantum technology projects are listed in Appendix A of the MEIE guide.

Applicant(s)

Maximum duration

Maximum

aid rate

Maximum accumulation of government aid

Maximum aid amount

Collaborative, structuring and large-scale innovation projects

A group of Québec companies (minimum 2), including at least one SME or innovative company with high growth potential (startup)

24 months

35% of eligible expenses*

75% of eligible expenses for the project

$1,500,000 per project**

*The rate will be increased to 50% for: expenses incurred by an eligible public research centre if they represent at least 20% of the eligible expenses for the project; expenses for access to quantum computing platforms via PINQ2, Calcul Québec and DistriQ; as well as for expenses incurred by a startup meeting the eligibility criteria.

**For projects involving a demonstration in a real operating or usage situation and a technological showcase, the limit is $350,000.

RELEVANT DOCUMENTS

In french only

Guide du MEIE
Guide complémentaire PRIMA
Formulaire de demande de financement (Download the PDF and open it with Acrobat Reader to be able to complete it.)

If you intend to submit a project, please contact an advisor.

SCHEDULE

Call launch: November 5, 2024
Deadline for submission to PRIMA: April 8, 2025, at 4 p.m,
Deadline for submission by the RSRI to the MEIE: April 15, 2025, at 4 p.m,
To ensure effective support, promoters must contact PRIMA at least one month before the submission deadline. After this deadline, PRIMA may decide to submit the application on the following submission deadline.