Updated June 2026 · Verified against Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED) / STIQ / Aéro Montréal / Propulsion Québec guidelines
✨ New Program ✓ First-Timer Friendly In Kind Est. 2026
Program Federal Active

Quebec Defence Supply-Chain SME Integration (Podium Défense / Aéro Mtl / Propulsion QC)

Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED) / STIQ / Aéro Montréal / Propulsion Québec
Maximum Funding
No cheque is issued to the SME, but the improvement stream...
Ongoing — through 2028–29
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Difficulty
Easy
Payment
In Kind
Trend
New Program
First-Timers
Friendly ✓
Co-Funding
Varies
Quebec Defence Supply-Chain SME Integration (Podium Défense / Aéro Mtl / Propulsion QC) provides up to No cheque is issued to the SME, but the improvement stream funds readiness projects worth up to $60,000 per company with an external-expert team, against a company contribution of about $21,000 — roughly $39,000 of funded work — plus advisory and technical services via the intermediaries (STIQ, Aéro Montréal, Propulsion Québec). Total program envelope $4.495M CED through 2028–29. A federal CED-funded advisory and integration program that helps Quebec SMEs in manufacturing, aerospace, and electric/smart transportation enter or expand within national and international defence supply chains. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis. Approval odds: ~40% (GrantCompass analysis)
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Eligibility & Details

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Program Description

A federal CED-funded advisory and integration program that helps Quebec SMEs in manufacturing, aerospace, and electric/smart transportation enter or expand within national and international defence supply chains. Three industry associations deliver a coordinated continuum of services: STIQ's Podium Défense guides manufacturing suppliers in meeting contractor standards and structural requirements; Aéro Montréal supports aerospace-sector businesses in commercializing for defence markets; and Propulsion Québec guides electric and smart-transportation companies into defence supply chains. The $4.495M federal investment runs through 2028–29 and provides advisory value, market access, and structural preparation assistance — not direct cash grants to individual SMEs. This program fills a distinct gap for Quebec SMEs navigating the complex barrier-to-entry in defence supply-chain contracting.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Quebec-based SMEs in manufacturing, aerospace, or electric/smart-transportation sectors
  • Companies that wish to enter or grow activities within national or international defence supply chains
  • Businesses willing to implement structural improvements to meet contractor requirements (quality systems, certifications, standards)
  • Must operate within the sector served by the delivering intermediary (manufacturing → STIQ; aerospace → Aéro Montréal; EV/smart transport → Propulsion Québec)
  • No minimum revenue requirement stated; program is accessible to SMEs at various stages of defence market readiness
Provinces
Quebec
Industries
Aerospace Manufacturing Supply Chain Engineering Technology Automotive
Business Stage
Growth Established Expansion

Quick Assessment

Difficulty
Easy
Competition
Low
First-Timer
Friendly

Funding Details

Amount
No cheque is issued to the SME, but the improvement stream funds readiness projects worth up to $60,000 per company with an external-expert team, against a company contribution of about $21,000 — roughly $39,000 of funded work — plus advisory and technical services via the intermediaries (STIQ, Aéro Montréal, Propulsion Québec). Total program envelope $4.495M CED through 2028–29.
Type
Program
Level
Federal
Deadline
Ongoing — through 2028–29

Program Scorecard

Competition, effort, and approval at a glance

Competition
Low
Deadline
Ongoing
Approval
Good
Approval Rate
~40%
Accessibility
--/5
Competition
--/5
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How to Win

Insider tips, common pitfalls, and what successful applicants look like

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Insider Tip

The fastest path into this program is to contact STIQ directly if you are a manufacturer — STIQ's Podium Défense is the most structured entry point with clear steps and published guidance.

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Success Profile

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Evaluation Criteria

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What's in this Playbook

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Application Playbook

Step-by-step process, required documents, and expenses

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Application Steps

1 Identify the right intermediary for your sector Manufacturing companies → STIQ (Podium Défense). Aerospace companies → Aéro Montréal. Electric/smart-transportation companies → Propulsion Québec. Visit each organization's website or call their main office to initiate contact.

Required Documents 5

✓ Expression of interest or intake form with the relevant intermediary (STIQ, Aéro Montréal, or Propulsion Québec)
✓ Business overview describing current sector and products/services

Eligible Expenses 6

Ineligible Expenses 5

Intake Periods

Deadline Notes

Ineligible Organizations

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Funding Stack Strategy

Compatible programs, clawback risk, and combined funding potential

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Compatible Programs

Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) — Deep Tech Stream Canadian Defence Industry Resilience (CDIR) Program NRC Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP)
Combined Funding Potential See your total funding potential

Clawback Risk

Not-applicable Risk

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How Quebec Defence Supply-Chain SME Integratio... Compares

Side-by-side with similar programs

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Program Amount Difficulty Payment Deadline
Quebec Defence Supply-Chain SME Integ... up to $60,000 Easy In Kind Ongoing — through 2028–29
Canadian Defence Industry Resilience ... $25M–$642M Hard Milestone-Based Rolling — targeted Calls...
Industrial Research Assistance Progra... Up to $1M Moderate Reimbursement Ongoing
Strategic Response Fund (formerly Str... Minimum $10 million contribution Hard Mixed (Advance + Reimb.) Ongoing — continuous...
CanExport SMEs Up to $50,000 Moderate Mixed (Advance + Reimb.) Between intakes — the...

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Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers to the questions founders most often ask about Quebec Defence Supply-Chain SME Integratio...

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Can sole proprietors apply?
No — must be incorporated Quebec-based SMEs in manufacturing, aerospace, or EV/smart-transport sectors. Sole proprietors aren't eligible as they can't implement required structural improvements like ISO certifications.
What's the typical value per SME?
$25K–$150K in advisory services (not cash). This covers structural improvements like quality systems, certifications, and market access support delivered by STIQ, Aéro Montréal, or Propulsion Québec.
How long does approval take?
No formal approval process — contact the relevant intermediary (STIQ for manufacturing, Aéro Montréal for aerospace) directly. Intake is rolling with no set deadlines.
Why do applications fail?
Operating outside Quebec, not in the three target sectors, or lacking operational foundation to implement required structural improvements within 12 months.
Can I stack this with other programs?
Yes — compatible with SIF (for R&D scale-up after structural prep), CDIR (for production capacity), and IRAP (for tech development to meet defence standards).

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