For-profit company, non-financial cooperative, or social-economy non-profit (>40% autonomous revenue), registered in Quebec with an establishment and active activity there
Services
PSCE - Volet 3 (Structured support for large and high-potential companies on priority international markets)
Quebec non-repayable contribution (PSCE Volet 3) for large and high-potential companies carrying out structured diversification and consolidation projects in Quebec's priority international markets, with export accompaniment by Investissement Quebec International (IQI) and specialized market scouts. Same financial terms as Volet 2 (50/40/25% degressive rates, $25,000-$60,000 per project per year, 65% government stacking cap), but entry is by selection: IQI picks companies operating in aeronautics and defence, construction and infrastructure, life sciences or transport, with $10M+ revenue and a project expected to generate at least $1M in market sales.
Overview
Quebec non-repayable contribution (PSCE Volet 3) for large and high-potential companies carrying out structured diversification and consolidation projects in Quebec's priority international markets, with export accompaniment by Investissement Quebec International (IQI) and specialized market scouts. Same financial terms as Volet 2 (50/40/25% degressive rates, $25,000-$60,000 per project per year, 65% government stacking cap), but entry is by selection: IQI picks companies operating in aeronautics and defence, construction and infrastructure, life sciences or transport, with $10M+ revenue and a project expected to generate at least $1M in market sales.
Key numbers
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Instrument | grant |
| Level | provincial |
| Region | QC |
| Administrator | Investissement Quebec / Investissement Quebec International (as mandatary of the Ministere de l'Economie, de l'Innovation et de l'Energie) |
| Cost share | 50% |
| Min per project | $25,000 |
| Max per project | $60,000 |
| Max per year | $60,000 |
| Total gov stacking cap | 65% |
| Intake status | Open (selection-based, continuous intake for companies qualified by Investissement Quebec International); program runs to 2028-03-31 |
| Non-US bias | Targets Quebec's top 20 diversification markets (Canada and priority international markets); US not listed as a priority diversification market |
| Target markets | 20 |
Eligibility
Annual revenue of $10M or more
Project with potential minimum sales impact of $1M on the target market
Project in one of Quebec's top 20 diversification markets
Canada plus the leading 2024 international goods export destinations (China, France, Mexico, Japan, Germany, UK, Netherlands, South Korea, Switzerland, Belgium, India, Italy, Australia, Singapore, Spain, Brazil, Turkey, Taiwan, Finland)
Sector among
aeronautics and defence, construction and infrastructure, life sciences, and transport
Same exclusions as Volet 2 (RENA registry, francisation non-compliance, state-owned entities, controversial activities such as fossil fuels, gambling, tobacco, etc.)
Accompaniment is delivered by Investissement Quebec International teams, with specialized market scouts (demarcheurs) and the network of Quebec representations in Canada and abroad
What it covers
Development and implementation of a marketing strategy, including digital strategy, for foreign markets
Full-time hiring of a commercial representative on a non-Quebec market (max $45,000 of aid, one hire per company over the 2025-2028 program)
Obtaining homologation, compliance or certification (including environmental) required by a non-Quebec market, including tuning tests and assessments
Exhibiting at a commercial event outside Quebec
Eligible expenses mirror Volet 2
professional fees (max $25,000/request), market studies/databases, advertising/social media/SEO (max $10,000/project), salary up to 52 weeks for the commercial representative, short-term rental of exhibition space/office outside Quebec, registration/passes for trade events, transport of goods/samples/promotional material, business-matching platform access, normative documents
Market and diversification rules
Entry is by selection
Investissement Quebec International (IQI) chooses companies according to sector and market priorities for targeted accompaniment
Applications for qualified companies are received on a continuous basis (no public call-for-projects windows)
One assistance per company per fiscal year across all PSCE volets; aid rates degressive 50/40/25% over the program (to March 31, 2028)
Target markets are limited to the top 20 diversification markets of Quebec; sectors limited to aeronautics and defence, construction and infrastructure, life sciences, and transport
How to apply
No open public call
companies must first be selected by Investissement Quebec International (IQI) teams based on sector and market priorities
If your company is selected, you will receive instructions on how to file your application
For questions, contact the IQ reception and information service at 1 844 474-6367 or use the contact form on the program page
Stacking notes
Total government assistance capped at 65% of eligible expenses; all public aid counted at 100% of value
At least 35% of project cost from private sources; BDC/FAC/FADQ loans count as private at market conditions
Cannot be combined with another MEIE program (incl. Fonds du developpement economique programs)
Notes
Program framework (2025-2028) sets an output target of 130 supported projects by 2028-03-31 for Volet 3
PSCE reopened December 2025; Volet 3 intake for qualified companies opened January 15, 2026
Project realization max 18 months including hiring period; hiring expenses over a continuous 12-month period, other activities over a continuous 12-month period, which may be staggered
Relevant services
The services below are grant-eligible: CanExport and EDC reimburse up to 50% for incorporated Canadian exporters.
Book a free readiness call
Grant programs can reimburse up to 50% of eligible market-entry costs. In one free call we tell you honestly whether your product fits a non-US market.
Book a free readiness call