ESSOR Program — Component 1 Grants (Feasibility & Digital)
Eligibility & Details
What this program funds and who can apply
Program Description
Non-repayable grants for Quebec businesses undertaking feasibility studies and digital transformation. Component 1A funds market analyses, site selection, and technology evaluations (up to $50K). Component 1B covers digital diagnostics and strategic planning ($20K). Component 1C finances implementation of digital action plans ($50K). Combined maximum $120,000 at 50% of eligible costs. Requires minimum $2.5M revenue and max 250 employees for digital components. All documentation must be in French.
Eligibility Requirements
- For-profit business registered under Quebec or Canadian law with active Quebec establishment
- Social economy enterprises (cooperatives/NPOs under Quebec Social Economy Act) with 40%+ autonomous revenue
- Minimum $2.5M annual revenue for Components 1B and 1C
- Maximum 250 employees for Components 1B and 1C
- French-language compliance mandatory (website, documentation)
- Not listed on RENA (Register of Enterprises Ineligible for Public Contracts)
- Component 1C requires digital plan completed through 1B within previous 24 months
- Excluded: primary agriculture/forestry/fishing, mining, real estate, construction (with limited exceptions)
Quick Assessment
Funding Details
- Amount
- Up to $120,000 combined (1A: $50K feasibility + 1B: $20K digital diagnostic + 1C: $50K digital implementation)
- Type
- Grant
- Level
- Provincial
- Co-Funding
- Up to 50% of eligible costs
- Deadline
- March 31, 2027
Program Scorecard
Competition, effort, and approval at a glance
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How to Win
Insider tips, common pitfalls, and what successful applicants look like
Insider TipComponent 1B ($20K digital diagnostic) is the easiest entry point — it requires only a qualified auditor from the Quebec Digital Auditors Consortium. Once you have the 1B diagnostic done, you unlock 1C ($50K implementation) which has the largest individual payout. Pair ESSOR 1B/1C with NRC-IRAP for the R&D diagnostic piece to cover 70%+ of study costs non-repayably. The cumulative government aid limit is 80% for 1B activities, so stacking is explicitly encouraged. Note: 1C funding rate declines for repeat projects (50% first, 40% second, 30% subsequent). ALL documentation must be submitted in French.
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Rejection Pitfalls 8
- Business not registered in Quebec or lacking active Quebec operations
- Below $2.5M annual revenue threshold (Components 1B/1C)
- Over 250 employees (Components 1B/1C)
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Success Profile
Quebec-registered SMBs in manufacturing, technology, food processing, or digital sectors with $2.5M+ revenue and under 250 employees. Ideal candidates have a clear investment project requiring pre-validation (1A) or are undertaking digital transformation (1B/1C). Companies using qualified consulting firms report higher approval rates. French-language capability is a practical prerequisite.
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Evaluation Criteria
Merit-based rolling review (not competitive scoring). Assessment covers: relevance of the project (contribution to program objectives, company growth); governance quality (expertise of key staff, capacity to execute); project quality (strategic planning quality, realistic financing, partner engagement); potential impact on profitability/productivity/competitiveness. Also considers: incentive character or necessity of financial assistance; alignment between project and company business model. Budget overruns are not eligible for additional funding.
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Application Playbook
Step-by-step process, required documents, and expenses
Application Steps
Required Documents 9
Eligible Expenses 4
- Professional fees to external consulting firms (honoraires professionnels)
- Purchase of specialized information directly relevant to project execution (market statistics, sector analyses)
- Travel and accommodation costs complying with Quebec government standards
- Service fees for qualified digital auditors from the Quebec Digital Auditors Consortium (1B)
Ineligible Expenses 7
- Expenses incurred before the application submission date (including contractually committed pre-submission expenses)
- Capital expenditures and depreciation (immobilisations)
- Internal company expenses (salaries, overhead)
- Debt service, loan repayments, capital losses or capital replacement
- Sales taxes (taxes de vente)
- Costs not supported by invoices, receipts, or payroll records
- Construction costs (except for construction-sector productivity projects under 1A)
Intake Periods
Continuous rolling intake until March 31, 2027. Ministry reserves the right to suspend applications without notice if budget exhausted. No fixed intake windows.
Deadline Notes
Program operates under the 2025-2027 normative framework. Continuous intake until March 31, 2027, but the Ministry reserves the right to suspend applications without notice if budget is exhausted.
Open Application Portal →Ineligible Organizations
- Companies listed on RENA (Registre des entreprises non admissibles aux contrats publics)
- Companies not compliant with Quebec French language charter (francisation process)
- Companies that defaulted on prior Quebec government financial assistance obligations within 2 years
- Crown corporations or entities controlled by government (municipal, provincial, or federal)
- Companies under creditor protection or bankruptcy/insolvency proceedings
- Companies whose main business involves: arms production/distribution; fossil fuel exploration/extraction/refining; gambling operations; violent games/combat sports; sexual exploitation; tobacco/drug products (except specific cannabis exemptions)
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Funding Stack Strategy
Compatible programs, clawback risk, and combined funding potential
Compatible Programs
Clawback Risk
Medium RiskSee which programs combine with this one — and how much more you could get. Unlock with Premium →
How ESSOR Program — Component 1... Compares
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