Funding Available to Support RNA-Based Therapy Innovation Projects in Canada

Deadline: 16-Mar-2026

AReNA is accepting applications from Quebec-based biopharmaceutical companies to develop, accelerate, and commercialize RNA-based therapies.

Eligible startups, SMEs, and large companies can receive up to $300,000 per project (or $350,000 with DePTAQ collaboration) for research and innovation projects completed within 18 months.

About the AReNA Program

The AReNA initiative supports companies in Quebec working on RNA-based therapeutic technologies.

The program is designed to strengthen Quebec’s position in the rapidly growing global RNA therapeutics market by funding research, development, and pre-commercialization activities.

Its objective is to stimulate technological innovation that advances RNA therapy manufacturing, delivery, and product development.

Maximum grant: $300,000 per project
Maximum with DePTAQ collaboration: $350,000
Project duration: Up to 18 months

Program Objectives

The program aims to:

• Accelerate RNA-based therapeutic innovation

• Support projects from proof of concept to pre-commercialization

• Strengthen Quebec’s biopharmaceutical ecosystem

• Position Quebec companies in a high-potential global niche

• Promote technologies with strong commercial viability

Projects must demonstrate technological advancement and market potential.

Technology Areas Supported

Eligible projects must contribute to RNA-based therapy development, including:

Manufacturing Process Optimization

• RNA synthesis improvements

• Purification process enhancements

• Formulation optimization

Biological and Physicochemical Innovation

• Improved prediction of RNA stability

• Enhanced bioavailability

• Optimization of molecular properties

Advanced RNA Delivery Systems

• Development of alternatives to lipid nanoparticles

• Novel delivery vectors

RNA Therapeutic Modalities

• mRNA technologies

• RNA interference (RNAi)

• Antisense therapies

• Other RNA-based platforms

Projects must involve meaningful research and development activities and demonstrate technological or commercial risk.

Funding Details

Grant Amount

• Up to $300,000 per project

• Up to $350,000 if carried out in collaboration with the DePTAQ network

Project Duration

• Maximum 18 months

Funding supports research and innovation activities directly linked to technology development.

Who Is Eligible?

Eligible Applicants

• Quebec startups

• Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)

• Large companies active in biopharmaceutical technologies

Company Classification

• Startups/SMEs: Fewer than 249 employees worldwide

• Large companies: More than 250 employees worldwide

Legal Requirements

Companies must:

• Be legally constituted under federal or Quebec law

• Be registered with the Quebec Enterprise Registrar

• Have head office located in Quebec

• Employ the majority of their workforce within Quebec

Collaboration Requirements

• Startups and SMEs: Collaboration encouraged

• Large companies: Collaboration mandatory with another company or public research centre

Eligible Projects

Projects must:

• Focus on research and innovation activities

• Support development of RNA-based therapeutic technologies

• Demonstrate commercial potential

• Develop a new product, service, or process OR significantly improve an existing one

• Present a decisive advantage over current market solutions

• Involve technological or business risk

• Require structured R&D efforts

Incremental or low-risk improvements are unlikely to qualify.

Who Is Not Eligible?

The following entities are excluded:

• Companies controlled by provincial, federal, or municipal governments

• Majority-owned subsidiaries of state-owned enterprises

• Companies under bankruptcy or creditor protection

• Companies listed in the Register of Companies Ineligible for Public Contracts

• Companies that failed previous obligations with the Ministry or Investissement Québec

• Companies violating responsible financing policies

• Holding companies

• Businesses whose ethical conduct may compromise government integrity

Applicants must ensure compliance before applying.

How to Apply

Step 1: Confirm Eligibility
Verify legal status, Quebec registration, workforce location, and employee count classification.

Step 2: Define an Eligible RNA Innovation Project
Ensure your project:

• Targets RNA-based therapy development

• Demonstrates clear commercial potential

• Includes technological risk

• Requires R&D investment

Step 3: Establish Collaboration (if required)
Large companies must formalize collaboration with another company or research centre.

Step 4: Prepare Application Documentation

• Project description

• Technical objectives

• Innovation analysis

• Market advantage justification

• Budget and timeline (maximum 18 months)

• Collaboration agreements (if applicable)

Step 5: Submit Proposal
Submit according to AReNA’s official guidelines within the application period.

Ensure clarity, measurable milestones, and defined commercialization strategy.

What Makes a Strong Application?

Competitive projects typically:

• Demonstrate breakthrough RNA innovation

• Show scalability and market demand

• Include strong R&D methodology

• Present credible commercialization strategy

• Highlight Quebec economic impact

• Clearly articulate technological risk and differentiation

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Submitting projects without genuine innovation

• Failing to show competitive advantage

• Overlooking mandatory collaboration (for large companies)

• Proposing projects longer than 18 months

• Applying without confirmed Quebec legal and workforce eligibility

Careful compliance review is critical.

Why This Program Matters

Advances RNA Therapeutics

RNA technologies such as mRNA and RNAi represent transformative medical breakthroughs.

Strengthens Quebec’s Biotech Ecosystem

Supports local innovation, commercialization, and global competitiveness.

Bridges Research to Market

Funds projects from proof of concept to pre-commercialization stage.

Encourages High-Impact Biopharmaceutical Innovation

Promotes solutions capable of meeting both national and international healthcare needs.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the maximum funding available?

Up to $300,000 per project, or $350,000 with DePTAQ collaboration.

How long can a funded project last?

A maximum of 18 months.

Who can apply?

Quebec-based startups, SMEs, and large biopharmaceutical companies meeting legal and workforce requirements.

Is collaboration required?

Encouraged for startups and SMEs; mandatory for large companies.

What types of RNA technologies are eligible?

mRNA, RNAi, antisense, novel delivery systems, and related RNA-based therapeutic technologies.

What makes a project eligible?

It must demonstrate innovation, commercial potential, technological risk, and a decisive competitive advantage.

Are government-controlled companies eligible?

No. Government-controlled or state-owned majority subsidiaries are not eligible.

Conclusion

The AReNA Call for Proposals 2026 provides substantial funding to Quebec biopharmaceutical companies developing innovative RNA-based therapies.

By supporting high-risk, high-potential R&D projects with strong commercialization prospects, the program strengthens Quebec’s leadership in next-generation therapeutic technologies.

Eligible companies should prepare innovation-driven, commercially viable proposals that meet all legal and collaboration requirements to compete for funding of up to $350,000.

For more information, visit AReNA.