For-profit company legally constituted under Quebec or Canadian law, social-economy non-profit (>40% autonomous revenue under the Loi sur l'economie sociale), non-financial cooperative, or group of companies (regroupement d'entreprises)
Services
PSCE - Volet 1 (Strengthening SME commercialization capacity on the Quebec market as a first step toward export)
Quebec non-repayable contribution (grant) under PSCE Volet 1 that strengthens the capacity of SMEs to commercialize their products and services on the Quebec market as a first step toward export, notably to insert their products into strategic supply chains in Quebec. Aid rates are degressive (50% first project, 40% second, 25% subsequent within the volet) with aid of $25,000 to $2,000,000 per project and a 65% cap on combined government assistance. Export intentions are not required to qualify. This volet now reports directly to the Ministere de l'Economie, de l'Innovation et de l'Energie (MEIE) and is only accessible when a specific call-for-projects is open; no call was in progress as of the December 1, 2025 update.
Overview
Quebec non-repayable contribution (grant) under PSCE Volet 1 that strengthens the capacity of SMEs to commercialize their products and services on the Quebec market as a first step toward export, notably to insert their products into strategic supply chains in Quebec. Aid rates are degressive (50% first project, 40% second, 25% subsequent within the volet) with aid of $25,000 to $2,000,000 per project and a 65% cap on combined government assistance. Export intentions are not required to qualify. This volet now reports directly to the Ministere de l'Economie, de l'Innovation et de l'Energie (MEIE) and is only accessible when a specific call-for-projects is open; no call was in progress as of the December 1, 2025 update.
Key numbers
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Instrument | grant |
| Level | provincial |
| Region | QC |
| Administrator | Ministere de l'Economie, de l'Innovation et de l'Energie (MEIE), with Investissement Quebec as mandatary |
| Cost share | 50% |
| Min per project | $25,000 |
| Max per project | $2,000,000 |
| Max per year | $2,000,000 |
| Total gov stacking cap | 65% |
| Intake status | Closed: no call-for-projects in progress (as of 2025-12-01 update); accessible only when MEIE opens a specific call-for-projects |
| Non-US bias | Domestic pre-export step (Quebec-market commercialization before exporting); it does not fund foreign-market activities |
Eligibility
Registered in Quebec with an establishment and active business activity there, regardless of incorporating statute
Annual revenue of $50M or less (for a foreign subsidiary, only the Quebec entity's revenue counts)
Export intentions are NOT required to be eligible for this volet
Excluded sectors
agriculture/forestry/fishing/hunting, mining and oil/gas extraction, utilities, construction, retail (unless preproduction + postproduction + head office in Quebec), radio/TV, telecommunications, finance and insurance, real estate, management companies, administrative and support services, education, health and social assistance, arts/entertainment, accommodation and food services, other services, public administration
Not on the RENA registry; compliant with the francisation process if 25+ employees for 6 months; no default on prior government support; not a state-owned or government-controlled entity; not under bankruptcy/insolvency protection; no controversial activities (weapons, fossil fuels, gambling, violent games, sexual exploitation, tobacco)
What it covers
Development of a commercialization strategy, including a market study in Quebec and acquisition of market-development knowledge (accompaniment)
Obtaining homologation, compliance or certification (including environmental) required by a buyer, including tuning tests and assessments
Eligible expenses
market studies or database access, professional fees including subcontracting, direct project labour costs including the project manager (with benefits and mandatory contributions), testing/analysis fees and purchase of normative documents for homologation or certification
Market and diversification rules
Selection is by call-for-projects (appel de projets) with a selection committee, subject to budget availability
One financial assistance per company per fiscal year across all PSCE volets (Apr 1
Mar 31)
Aid rates are degressive over the 2025-2028 program
50% first project, 40% second, 25% subsequent within this volet
Projects aim to insert products or services into strategic supply chains in Quebec as a stepping stone to exporting; eligible expenses must be incurred in Quebec
How to apply
Volet 1 is only accessible during specific call-for-projects opened by MEIE; watch the IQ program page and the PSCE cadre normatif for announcements
When a call is open, register for MEIE services via ClicSEQUR Entreprises
Prepare the application form, financial statements for the last two years (or forecast statements for startups), service offers and partnerships, francisation proof if applicable, and any other required documents
Submit during the open call window; admissible requests are analyzed by a selection committee
Stacking notes
Total government assistance (Quebec, federal, tax credits, municipal entities) capped at 65% of eligible expenses; all public aid counted at 100% of value
At least 35% of eligible expenses must come from private sources; only cash contributions are accepted
Cannot be combined with another MEIE program, including programs of the Fonds du developpement economique (FDE)
Notes
This volet funds commercialization on the Quebec market as preparation for export; foreign-market activities are covered by PSCE Volet 2 and Volet 3
Now administered directly by MEIE (no longer by IQ on the same basis as Volets 2/3); accessible only via call-for-projects
Program framework 2025-2028, in force until March 31, 2028
Not eligible
expenses incurred before filing, debt service, recurring operating costs, capital expenditures and software/licensing, IP maintenance, land/buildings, related-party transactions, Quebec sales taxes, meals, travel and accommodation, hiring a trainee
Relevant services
The services below are grant-eligible: CanExport and EDC reimburse up to 50% for incorporated Canadian exporters.
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