CRITM PSO (Quebec): SME vs Large Company Stream — Eligibility and How to Apply

If you’re planning an R&D project in Quebec’s metal transformation sector, the CRITM PSO program can cover a portion of your costs. Note: CRITM PSO is only open to companies based in Quebec. The main challenge is choosing the right stream. CRITM runs two PSO streams — one for SMEs and one for large companies — and the eligibility, funding rates, and partner rules are different.

This guide explains how the CRITM PSO SME and CRITM PSO Large Companies streams compare, who qualifies for each, and how to apply with confidence.

CRITM PSO Program Overview: One Program, Two Streams

The Programme de soutien aux organismes (PSO) is delivered by the Consortium de recherche et d’innovation en transformation métallique (CRITM). It supports applied research projects tied to Quebec’s metal transformation ecosystem, from primary processing to advanced manufacturing.

Both streams:

Fund projects where businesses work with research groups
Require alignment with at least one CRITM research axis
Offer repayable financial support
Are currently open — Always check CRITM’s website for current deadlines and program status.

The main difference is who leads the project and how much of the project CRITM will cover.

CRITM PSO SME Stream: Eligibility and Funding

The PSO SME stream is designed for Quebec-based small and medium-sized enterprises leading innovation projects.

Who is eligible

To qualify, your project must include:

At least one SME (PME) incorporated and operating in Quebec
At least one recognized research organization (college, university, or research centre)
A large company partner is allowed but not required

Funding amount

Up to $500,000 per project
Covers up to 40% of eligible project costs
Funding is repayable

Industry contribution

Industry partners must contribute at least 20% of total project costs
Contributions can include cash and eligible in-kind expenses

Eligible research areas

Projects must align with one or more CRITM research axes:

Metal transformation process development
Advanced metallic product design
Reduction of environmental footprint
Digital innovation in manufacturing

CRITM PSO Large Companies Stream: Eligibility and Funding

The PSO Large Companies stream targets projects led by grandes entreprises (GE) with strong research capacity.

Who is eligible

Your consortium must include:

At least one large enterprise operating in Quebec
At least one research organization
No SME is required in this stream

Funding amount

Up to $500,000 per project
Covers up to 20% of eligible project costs
Funding is repayable

Industry contribution

Industry must contribute at least 40% of total project costs
No more than 50% of the industry contribution can be in-kind

Research focus

The same CRITM research axes apply, with an emphasis on:

Industrial-scale process innovation
Advanced materials and product development
Digital and environmental performance improvements

SME vs Large Company Stream: Side-by-Side Comparison

Criteria	PSO SME	PSO Large Companies
Lead company	SME (PME)	Large enterprise (GE)
SME required	Yes	No
Research partner required	Yes	Yes
Max funding	$500,000	$500,000
Max % of project costs	40%	20%
Minimum industry contribution	20%	40%
Funding type	Repayable	Repayable
Jurisdiction	Quebec	Quebec

You can use GrantHub to compare funding options based on your company profile.

How to Apply to CRITM PSO

The application process is similar for both streams.

Step-by-step process

Define your consortium
Confirm your industry partners and secure a research organization.
Confirm research alignment
Your project must clearly map to at least one CRITM research axis.
Prepare your budget
Show eligible costs, industry contributions, and CRITM’s requested share.
Submit through CRITM
Applications are submitted directly via CRITM’s project submission portal.
Evaluation and approval
CRITM assesses technical merit, collaboration strength, and economic impact.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Choosing the wrong stream
If an SME leads the project, you must apply under PSO SME — even if a large company is involved.
Weak industry contribution breakdown
CRITM checks how much of your contribution is cash or in-kind, especially for large companies.
Vague research alignment
Your project must match CRITM’s research areas, not just focus on general innovation.
Underestimating repayment obligations
PSO funding is repayable. Cash flow planning matters.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can an SME join a PSO Large Companies project?
Yes. An SME can participate, but the project must be led by a large enterprise and meet the Large Companies stream contribution rules.

Q: Is CRITM PSO funding a grant or a loan?
It is repayable financial assistance, similar to a condition-based loan, not a non-repayable grant.

Q: Do I need a research partner to apply?
Yes. Both PSO streams require at least one recognized research organization as a formal project partner.

Q: Can CRITM PSO funding be combined with other Quebec programs?
In many cases, yes, but stacking rules apply and total public funding limits must be respected. CRITM reviews this during evaluation.

Q: What size is considered an SME under PSO?
CRITM follows Quebec definitions for SMEs, typically based on employee count and control structure.

GrantHub tracks hundreds of active grant and repayable funding programs across Canada. Check which ones match your business profile.

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Next Steps

If you’re deciding between the CRITM PSO SME vs Large Company stream, start by confirming who will lead the project and how much industry funding you can commit. From there, comparing PSO with other Quebec innovation programs can help you build a stronger funding stack. You can use GrantHub to see which programs fit your company’s needs.

CRITM PSO (Quebec): SME vs Large Company Stream — Eligibility and How to Apply