Quantum Leap Funding Program (Canada)

Deadline: 15-May-2025

Applications are now open for the CQDM’s funding program for Quantum Leap biopharmaceutical research to help Canadian SMEs and universities undertake innovative translational R&D projects in collaboration with large biopharmaceutical organizations.

Their funding program dedicated to the development of innovations from research centres and business across Canada, in collaboration with large biopharmaceutical companies.

Funding Information

• Duration: Minimum 1 year, maximum 3 years
• CQDM will assess funding applications for Quantum Leap biopharmaceutical research within the framework of the program, provided that you comply with the following parameters:
  • Projects considered have a varying budget, usually between $500,000 to $1,500,000. As an exception, CQDM may assess applications over this limit when justified.
  • Financial aid granted by CQDM usually represents one-third (1/3) of the total budget; however, the funding value and percentage may vary depending on the nature of the project in question.
  • CQDM’s pharmaceutical members are expected to commit to providing financial support representing around one-third (1/3) of the project’s value.
  • The candidates are responsible for raising the necessary counterpart funds for the project. Where possible, CQDM can offer help to candidates.
  • CQDM has several partnerships with national and international organizations that can potentially co-fund certain projects. Preliminary discussions with CQDM could, among other things, allow you to maximize contributions from different partners in order to fund biopharmaceutical research projects
  • Candidates with a guaranteed funding commitment, whether this is from a private, semi-private, or not-for-profit public organization, may have an advantage over others.
  • Funding may come in the form of a grant or investment.
  • The amount requested must be specifically justified, and will be analysed in-detail by CQDM.

Eligible Expenses

• Grants, salaries and social benefits for research staff working on the project (technicians, assistants, and research associates, post-doctorates and students);
• Equipment, consumables, and laboratory supplies, as well as platform and animal fees
• Travel fees (travel for the project, collaborations, conferences), and fees associated with the dissemination of knowledge;
• Costs associated with intellectual property (patent applications, patent maintenance fees for the duration of the project).
• Purchase or rental of small pieces of equipment with a maximum value of $25,000
• Some expenses are allocated for payments made to subcontracted businesses that are not project partners when the activity is essential to the project and cannot be performed by the research institution or SME.

Ineligible Expenses

• The following expenses are not eligible:
  • Rental (or purchase) of equipment with a value over $25,000.
  • Salary of the principal researcher and associated researchers at universities, as well as their affiliated research centers.

Eligible Projects

• The chosen projects aim to develop cutting-edge technologies with a potentially significant impact on the R&D activities of CQDM biopharmaceutical members. Quantum Leap projects are undertaken in close collaboration and with expert support and funding from their pharmaceutical members.
• Enabling technologies, pioneering platforms and/or innovative therapeutic methods developed should seek to improve, facilitate and/or considerably accelerate the discovery and development process for safer, more effective drugs. The technologies in question target all stages of drug development and cover a wide range of therapeutic indications.
• Projects are expected to generate tangible deliverables to be used by CQDM’s pharmaceutical members, once the project has been completed. Funded research offers researchers a perfect opportunity to secure future collaborations with the industry worldwide.

Eligibility Criteria

• Quantum Leap is open to all Canadian SMEs and public research institutions.

Selection Criteria

• Projects pre-selected by a CQDM pharmaceutical member will be assessed by external experts depending on whether they comply with the following criteria:
  • Impact on the potential development of new drugs
    • The potential to bring about a real, considerable change in drug research and development to meet the critical needs of the biopharmaceutical field.
  • Scientific excellence
    • The importance and innovative aspect of the research project, the quality of the experimental plan.
  • Feasibility
    • The technology’s current development status, preliminary data, milestones, and clear and defined deliverables of the research plan and Gantt chart, effective management of the research team and project.
  • Positioning and competitive advantage
    • The innovative nature of the proposed technology, identification of the most relevant competitor technologies (existing or under development) with the same goal as the proposed project (for which the approach may be similar or different), the perceived benefit of the proposed technology compared to international competitors and its ability to transform the field of biopharmaceuticals.
  • Marketing potential
    • The ability to fulfil the biopharmaceutical needs, the suitability of the technology’s development and maturation plan required to roll it out to potential users, including the main milestones (new approval, extrapolation, industrial regulations, strategic roll-out, etc.), the funds needed at each stage, and the anticipated marketing schedule.
  • Quality of the business plan
    • if applicable (for SMEs).
  • Economic benefits
    • The potential economic benefits for all interested partners, including alignment with SMEs’ corporate objectives, allow them to set themselves apart in a highly coveted market.
  • The research team (principal researcher and associated researchers)
    • Team quality and relevance, symbiosis, and synergy of project partners.

For more information, visit CQDM.