PARTENAR-IA — CRIAQ — Academic

For Quebec aerospace businesses exploring how artificial intelligence can transform design, manufacturing, or operations, collaborative R&D can be difficult to finance on your own. PARTENAR-IA — CRIAQ — Academic was created to bridge that gap by helping startups and SMEs work directly with public research centres on applied AI innovation projects tailored to the aerospace sector. The program reflects Quebec’s broader push to accelerate AI adoption and keep local companies globally competitive through more advanced, efficient production methods.

Delivered by the CRIAQ Consortium for Research and Innovation in Aerospace, this initiative supports ambitious research partnerships rather than isolated internal development. Eligible projects typically involve real-world experimentation, data-driven systems, or intelligent tools that can be integrated into aerospace products or processes. Funding can reach into the low millions, covering a meaningful share of project costs, which can significantly reduce the financial risk of tackling complex AI R&D. In some cases, projects with a strong research-centre component may receive enhanced support for academic research activities.

While this specific call is not currently accepting applications, CRIAQ regularly launches new funding opportunities under the PARTENAR-IA framework. For aerospace startups and SMEs in Quebec that see AI as a strategic lever for innovation, staying informed about upcoming calls could open the door to substantial non-repayable support and expert guidance in structuring a strong collaborative project.