CQDM SynergiQC Program

Program Description

SynergiQC funds Quebec public research institutions conducting industrial-scope life-sciences R&D projects with at least one eligible Quebec business, with contribution rates and total budgets varying by SME or large-enterprise participation.

Eligibility Requirements

• The applicant who receives the funding must be a researcher working in a Quebec public research institution — university and hospital affiliates, research institutes, College Technology Transfer Centres (CCTT) or public research centres — working closely with at least one eligible business in Quebec. A business cannot be the funded applicant.
• The project must be R&D with an industrial scope applicable to life sciences, including clinical trials, undertaken in partnership with one or several eligible businesses.
• Technology readiness level must be between TRL 1 and 6.
• Students at all levels, including post-doctorate, must take part in the project.
• The project must generate socio-economic benefits for Quebec and for the private partners taking part.
• Maximum project duration is 3 years.
• To be an eligible SME, a business must provide a significant contribution to the project, have a place of business in Quebec, be legally incorporated under current federal or Quebec laws, be registered in the Quebec Enterprise Register, conduct R&D or production activities in Quebec, and have 249 employees or fewer.
• To be an eligible large enterprise, a business must meet the same Quebec establishment, incorporation, registration and activity conditions and have 250 employees or more.
• On a project with at least one eligible SME: at least one partner business must contribute in CASH a minimum of 20% of eligible expenses — in-kind contributions do not count in the matching calculation. Large enterprises may also take part and contribute without changing the funding rules, as long as the eligible SME makes a significant contribution.
• On a project with only eligible large enterprises: at least one partner large enterprise must contribute a minimum of 40% of eligible expenses, and in-kind contributions may account for up to 50% of the industrial partners' contribution.
• Up to 40% of the funding required may come from other sources, including Canadian and international businesses, foundations, or non-MEIE governmental contributions.
• Eligible expenses are those incurred by the Quebec research institution and by Quebec subcontractors — not the partner business's own costs.
• The maximum project budget is $1.25M per year ($3.75M over 3 years) with at least one eligible Quebec SME, or $2.5M per year ($7.5M over 3 years) with only eligible Quebec large enterprises. These are project-budget ceilings including management fees and indirect research fees, not CQDM contributions.
• CQDM must be notified of an intention to submit no later than 7 days before the deadline.
• Awarded research institutions and industrial partners must commit to signing a research agreement within 3 months of receiving CQDM's approval letter, plus a separate intellectual-property agreement to which CQDM is not a party.