How Quebec Businesses Access University Research Expertise and Facilities

Many Quebec businesses need access to advanced labs, testing equipment, or academic expertise to move their ideas forward. Buying that capacity in-house is often too expensive. Universities in Quebec, such as Bishop’s University, give businesses opportunities to work with researchers and use specialized facilities. These partnerships are usually supported through public funding or in-kind research programs.

These collaborations help Quebec companies solve real business problems—like product validation, process improvement, or early-stage R&D—without needing to become research institutions themselves.

Ways to Access University Research in Quebec

Bishop’s University and other Quebec institutions offer partnership-based programs for businesses. These are not traditional cash grants. Instead, they provide access to people, infrastructure, and support for intellectual property.

Bishop’s University Applied Research Partnerships

Bishop’s University – Research Partnership Program

This program lets Quebec businesses work directly with Bishop’s faculty and research teams.

What’s included

Work with university researchers who have specialized knowledge
Access to advanced labs and equipment
Help with proof-of-concept, testing, and validation
Support for developing new intellectual property

Who can apply

Quebec-based businesses
Small and medium-sized companies working on products, processes, or technologies
Companies that need academic validation or technical problem-solving

How it’s funded

No direct cash payments to the business
Most support is in-kind, such as researcher time and facility use
Project costs are usually shared or reduced through public research funding

This partnership model is common across Quebec universities and cégeps, including Université du Québec à Chicoutimi and Cégep de La Pocatière.

Funding and Support Options

Many Quebec businesses combine university partnerships with other provincial or federal programs to lower their own costs.

Examples:

Mitacs research internships – help fund graduate students or postdocs to work on your project
SR&ED tax credits – eligible R&D work done with the university may qualify
Quebec innovation programs – support depends on your sector and project type

Bishop’s University does not provide direct cash grants, but these stacked programs can cover a large part of your research costs.

If you want to quickly see which programs your business may qualify for, tools like GrantHub’s eligibility matcher let you filter options by province and industry.

Intellectual Property Considerations

Intellectual Property (IP) IP ownership is not automatic. You need to negotiate IP terms at the start of the partnership. Some Quebec businesses keep full ownership, while others share IP rights with the university.

Project Timelines

Short-term projects: a few months for testing or validation
Larger projects: 6–12 months or longer

Having a clear project scope and timeline helps speed up approvals.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Expecting cash grants: University research partnerships offer expertise and facilities, not money. Plan your budget around in-kind support.
Arriving without a clear problem: Researchers need a well-defined technical or research question. Vague ideas can slow down the process.
Delaying IP discussions: Waiting until the end to talk about IP can delay or even stop your project.
Not combining programs: Many Quebec businesses miss out on Mitacs or SR&ED by not planning early enough.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do I need to be near Bishop’s University to work with them?
Not always. Many projects allow remote collaboration, but some lab-based work may require you to visit the campus.

Q: Are these programs only for tech startups?
No. Manufacturing, agri-food, environmental services, and social innovation projects can qualify if there is a research component.

Q: Who applies—the business or the university?
Applications are usually collaborative. The university leads the research side, and the business stays involved throughout.

Q: Can startups use these programs?
Yes. Early-stage companies often use university partnerships to validate their technology before raising capital.

Q: Can I combine this with Mitacs or other grants?
Yes. Stacking programs is common and encouraged when rules allow.

Next Steps

If your Quebec business needs research expertise but not a full R&D department, a Bishop’s University partnership can help fill that gap. Combining in-kind research support with other funding programs can lower your costs and speed up innovation.

GrantHub tracks hundreds of research partnership and innovation programs across Canada. Check which ones fit your business profile and project goals.

How Quebec Businesses Access University Research Expertise and Facilities