PARTENAR-IA

Description

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

This call for projects is implemented with IVADO.

Objectives

• Enhance the competitiveness of companies through the adoption of responsible AI solutions and quantum technologies, particularly in sectors where they are not yet widely used, such as the primary and secondary sectors of the economy, including healthcare;
• 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 start-ups), as well as with the research and innovation communities, to accelerate the integration of responsible AI and quantum technologies in the business community and, by extension, in society;
• Support structuring projects aimed at the structuring adoption of responsible AI solutions and the adoption of quantum technologies in one or more sectors of the economy;
• Support the realization of projects with significant and immediate economic spin-offs.
• Contribute to positioning Quebec as a leader in the development of responsible AI and quantum technologies.

Eligible projects are those that aim to develop an innovative AI-based solution (products, services or processes), from the planning stage through to pre-commercialization (real-world demonstration), and that demonstrates the potential for significant short-term benefits. The solution developed may be intended for organizational improvement or for sale.

Eligibility

Projects :

• Aim to develop an innovative solution (products, services or processes) mobilizing AI in healthcare technologies, from the planning stage through to pre-commercialization (real-world demonstration), and which demonstrate the potential for significant short-term benefits. The solution developed may be intended for organizational improvement or for sale ;
• Involve at least 2 Quebec companies (including at least one SME or start-up), with or without the collaboration of one or more eligible Quebec public research centres.
• Structuring and large-scale. Priority is given to multi-partner projects (more than two companies) and projects in collaboration with eligible public research centres. Projects must target the adoption of AI solutions by an economic sector (priority given to the front-line healthcare sector);
• Maximum duration of 2 years;
• Carried out in Quebec.

The project must also meet 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 offer a decisive advantage over existing solutions on the market and in the targeted sector of activity, on a national or international scale;
• Involve the development of a new solution or the significant improvement of an existing one;
• 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;
• Entail a technological or business risk or uncertainty for the company;
• Have 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 D8.1.1).
• Focus on the ethical and responsible use of AI, sustainable development and data governance;

Eligible Customers

To qualify as a start-up, companies must meet the following criteria:

• Be legally constituted under federal or Quebec law and registered with the Quebec Enterprise Registrar;
• Have their head office in Quebec and employees or subcontractors who work mainly in Quebec;
• Have 250 or fewer employees in Quebec;
• Not to be 50% or more owned by other existing companies or organizations;
• 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 h or more per week);
• Own the rights to use the intellectual property of their product, process or service;
• At the time of application, receive support from an eligible business incubator or gas pedal;
• Have an establishment operating in Quebec for the production of goods and services or for internal research and development activities;
• Have assets (including assets of associated companies), calculated on a worldwide basis, for their taxation year ending in the calendar year preceding the given calendar year, of less than $50 million.
• Devote a significant portion of their resources to developing their business, from conception to market launch.

To qualify as an SME, companies must meet the following criteria:

• Be legally constituted under federal or Quebec law and registered with the Quebec Enterprise Registrar;
• Have their head office in Quebec and employees or subcontractors who work mainly in Quebec;
• Have 250 or fewer employees in Quebec;
• Are not owned, in a proportion of 50% or more, by other existing companies or organizations;
• Have an establishment operating in Quebec 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 assets of associated companies), calculated on a worldwide basis, for their taxation year ending in the calendar year preceding the given calendar year, of less than $50 million.
• To qualify as a partner in a project involving at least one start-up company or SME, companies that do not qualify as start-ups or SMEs must meet the following criteria:
• Be legally constituted under federal or Quebec law and registered with the Quebec Enterprise Registrar;
• Have their head office in Quebec and employees or subcontractors working mainly in Quebec;
• Have an operating facility in Quebec for the production of goods and services or for in-house research and development.

Evaluation criteria

All eligible projects will undergo a scientific, technological and economic evaluation.

Projects are evaluated by a committee of scientific and geographic experts based on criteria of relevance, scientific quality and economic, social or technological spin-offs in Quebec, and on the strategic interest of the industrial and international partnership. Only complete applications will be analyzed. After evaluation, projects are ranked in descending order, and a selection committee draws up a list of successful applications based on the available budget.

Detailed criteria are available in the call for projects guide.

Financing

The Ministère’s contribution may not exceed $1,500,000 per project for a maximum duration of 24 months. 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 start-up company.

In addition, the rate will be increased to 50%, regardless of the size of the company supporting the following expenses required 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 platforms via PINQ2, Calcul Quebec and DistriQ.
• Private contributions must represent at least 25% of eligible expenses.

For further details, consult the Call for projects guide

Consult the call for projects guide