SSI

As part of a partnership aimed at accelerating the transition toward a more sustainable agri‑food system, INAF and Fondaction are joining forces to offer companies high value‑added support, backed by potential funding to help implement their innovative projects.

This partnership allows eligible companies to benefit from a structured innovation pathway based on the expertise of the ISS, focused on improving food quality, enhancing process sustainability, and strengthening local sourcing.

Partnership objective

To support Quebec agri‑food companies that wish to:

• improve the nutritional, sensory, functional, or safety characteristics of their products;
• strengthen their autonomy and prosperity through local sourcing;
• contribute to a more sustainable, accessible food supply that aligns with consumer expectations.

What this partnership offers

1. A structured innovation pathway with the ISS

• Completion of a strategic diagnostic by the Innovation Support Service (ISS).
• Identification of concrete opportunities for improvement or innovation.
• Exploration of solutions to enhance local sourcing and contribute to food autonomy.
• Support from INAF experts in nutrition, processing, formulation, regulations, sustainability, and consumer behavior.

2. Potential funding through Fondaction

• A possible referral to access a Fondaction loan designed to support the implementation of the innovative project.
• This funding may cover development, transformation, enhancement, or transition activities toward more responsible practices.

Eligibility

A company is eligible if it conducts most of its activities in the sustainable agri‑food sector, for example if it:

• contributes to offering safe, healthy, and nutritious foods;
• adopts responsible practices (reducing waste, packaging, inefficiencies);
• protects the environment or animal welfare;
• promotes local resources;
• aligns with at least one of INAF’s priority areas:
  • Food quality
  • Sustainable food processing systems
  • Food, health, and well‑being
  • Personalized nutrition
  • Food autonomy, prosperity, and accessibility
  • Nutrition and society

For more information about the partnership, contact the SSI.

The National Research Council of Canada’s Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP) provides financial and technological support to small and medium‑sized enterprises (SMEs) seeking to develop or improve an innovative product, service, or process.

By collaborating with the ISS, your project can benefit from specialized support that may be partially or fully funded by NRC IRAP, depending on the type of intervention.

What is NRC IRAP for?

The program helps SMEs to:

• access recognized experts to accelerate their innovation projects;
• reduce the risks and costs associated with R&D;
• structure and support the development of innovative technologies, products, or processes;
• increase their growth and commercialization potential.

Are you eligible?

Your business may be eligible if it:

• is a Canadian SME incorporated in Canada;
• is for‑profit;
• has 500 employees or fewer;
• has at least one technical resource (e.g., technologist, engineer, developer, scientist);
• has an innovation project aimed at developing or improving a technological product, service, or process.

What support can you receive through the ISS?

Thanks to an agreement between NRC IRAP and INAF, several types of support offered by the ISS can be funded:

1) Advisory services (interactive visit)

• Up to 20 hours of services, funded at 100%
• No administrative fees for the company
• Ideal for an initial analysis, diagnosis, or strategic guidance

2) Specialized interventions

• Up to 100 hours, funded at 75%
• For more technical support: analyses, validation, formulation, optimization, regulatory guidance, etc.

3) Applied Research Projects (ARP)

• For small to medium‑scale R&D projects
• Funding covering 50% of eligible activities

How to access funding?

The process is simple:

1. Contact your NRC IRAP Industrial Technology Advisor (ITA).
2. If you do not yet have one, call 1‑877‑994‑4727.
3. Present your company and your innovation project.
4. Your ITA will assess eligibility and may authorize financial support to collaborate with the ISS.

Once approval is granted, the ISS begins the support funded by NRC IRAP.

For more information about the program, contact us.

The MAPAQ Health Food Program provides financial support to businesses seeking to develop or improve processed foods with better nutritional quality. By collaborating with the ISS, you can benefit from recognized scientific support, eligible for funding offered through this program.

Program objective

To help Quebec biofood companies create or enhance processed foods that are:

• low in saturated fats, sodium, and sugars,
• high in fiber,
• and better aligned with consumer expectations regarding health and nutrition.

Eligibility

The business must be:

• a food processing company legally established in Quebec;
• a company that outsources food processing;
• or a company with a central kitchen.

Products developed must meet the program’s nutritional quality criteria.

Stream 1 — Diagnostic studies

Ideal for understanding challenges, guiding your approach, and structuring your project.

This stream allows you to:

• conduct a diagnostic study with an external consultant (the ISS may act as a subcontractor);
• identify key success factors for developing a nutritionally improved product;
• obtain a concrete action plan to guide development.

Funding:

• Up to 70% of eligible expenses;
• Minimum $10,000 per project;
• A maximum cumulative total of $100,000 per applicant for the duration of the program.

Stream 2 — Product development or improvement

For advancing the creation or reformulation of a nutritionally enhanced product.

This stream covers:

• the development of a new product with good nutritional quality;
• the improvement of an existing product;
• consultant fees and travel costs when the company does not claim eligible internal specialized salaries.

Funding:

• Up to 60% of eligible expenses;
• Minimum $10,000 per project;
• A maximum cumulative total of $150,000 per applicant.

Possible enhancement (up to +10%)

For projects that meet certain priorities, for example:

• products enriched in fiber (≥ 2 g per reference amount or ≥ 7% DV);
• targeted reductions of:
  • sugars (breakfast cereals, dairy products),
  • sodium (processed meats, deli meats, breads, and sauces),
  • saturated fats (processed meats).

How to apply

Applications were accepted on a continuous basis until March 31, 2025.

For more information, visit the MAPAQ website or contact the ISS for support in preparing your application.