PARTENAR-IA — CQRDA — Industry

For Quebec businesses working at the intersection of artificial intelligence and advanced materials, access to significant R&D funding can be a deciding factor in whether ambitious projects move forward. PARTENAR-IA — CQRDA — Industry is designed for startups and established companies that want to collaborate with a research centre on applied AI projects that advance the use of aluminum. The program reflects Quebec’s push to strengthen its competitive position in AI while building on the province’s long-standing expertise in aluminum innovation.

Delivered by the Centre québécois de recherche et de développement de l’aluminium (CQRDA), this initiative offers non-repayable funding that can reach roughly one and a half to two million dollars per project, covering a meaningful share of eligible development costs. Support is aimed at collaborative projects where artificial intelligence plays a central role, whether in optimizing aluminum production, enabling new applications, or developing smarter, more sustainable products and processes. By pairing industry know-how with research expertise, the program helps businesses reduce technical risk and accelerate the path from concept to real-world impact.

PARTENAR-IA is particularly relevant for Quebec-based SMEs and startups with strong growth ambitions and a clear innovation roadmap involving AI and aluminum. For companies considering a research partnership and wondering how this funding could support their next major project, a closer look at the full program details can clarify whether it’s the right fit.